ASHKUM BEAR

I was close on the Gordon deal prediction .

I called it crazy when the Lions took Gibbs and a mlb round 1. Their roster was stocked decently with talent, so it wasn't completely out of line and maybe ahead of the curve. They paid the price this season not getting more talent at DE. I would personally rather see them continue building the lines. If Poles/Johnson see Jeanty so much better than what's in the league now and the rest of the draft, I would embrace it.

Who can the Bears get next year or the year after that might be as good when drafting in the 20s? They should be a winning team the next 3-4 years, so they might not get the same shot at a talented O-linemen. Plus other positions of need are deep this year besides DE. I doubt they extend Thuney, the Bears gave money to Jonah Jackson and Drew Dahlman for 3 years. They have an opportunity to draft a guy this year to take his spot and save 15+ million. Either Kiran or the draftee will stay at LT the other at LG. If Thuney takes a discounted, 2 year 22-24 million, maybe but he might want 20 a year for 3 years. They will also have to pay Wright at that time.

Since I do not see the Bears extending Thuney, Braxton being limited come TC and on his last year, and Kiran going to need a real TC to get coached, they need a top prospect that can be LT/G. Campbell, Banks, Simmons, Ersery and Donovan Jackson are names the Bears need to consider. Poles said the Bears will bring in competition at LT, they are thinking short and long term, meaning they are serious about bringing in a player who could challenge Kiran at the start of camp. Braxton will be in the mix but he is expected to start late and they cannot bet on him having no set backs. Long term, they will need someone to replace Thuney at G and Braxton at LT, which would be Kiran or the draftee. If Jeanty is gone, my prediction is the top LT is our pick.

I am not saying for the Bears to do this, only that this is an option being discussed. He has been slotted top 6-10 since January by experts and writers. He is the same size as Jamyr Gibbs, 5'9 202 lbs, who the Lions took at 12. If Poles and Ben Johnson want him, they can see if drops to 10 or move up.

It is rumors, not actually reports. The only truth to the Bears and Jean try is they have spoken to coaches.

If the Bears believe he is the type of RB that would elevate the offense, it is possible. I would prefer taking the best LT, DT, or DE myself, but there is chatter that the Bears really like Jeantry.

Good clip that shows some glimpses of what Caleb can do.

Lots of RB Ashton Jeantry Bear love starting to come out. The Bears have been doing some homework on him. Seeing scenarios written on how the Bears might contact Jax in the next week or two to see what it would take to move up to 5. The trade chart says one of our seconds. Jeantry is everything you want as a player. He wants to learn (3.0 grades), comes from a military family (both parents) all his siblings college grads, and he turned 21 in Dec (young). These are signs of great character to go along with his stellar game. Being somewhat limited on picks, would you be opposed to creating the young trio Caleb/Rome/Jeantry? It might mean sacrificing one of the other needs DT/DE/OL. Do the Bears absolutely have to add to these 3? Braxton coming off surgery and Kiran unknown, I feel LT is still big. DE Booker seems to have upside and DT Pickens should be healthy (he was hurt most of the year), so to me these two would be a coin flip to sacrafice. Or maybe Poles goes S too, since Brisker is a ticking time bomb.

Looked over some mocks this afternoon and what else can the sites post at this point but crazy twists. The Bears will start their final process soon. They will have players they will move up as high to pick 5 if Carter, Jeantry, or maybe even Graham are their highest coveted guy. They will have a group they stay put for and of course trade down scenarios so they can hit the sweet spot with another player. I think we all see the need for DE and DT. O-line can use some quality depth and LT is a place for an upgrade if there is a player. RB is deep and getting a scheme fit player to challenge Swift who is known not to follow the script would be something the Bears will search for. TE, WR3, S, LB round out the wish list. To jump to the top of the North is the goal. I feel DE, DT, and RB are the 3 keys now to make it. Coaching and Oline upgrades were the highest and have been addressed. Nail those 3 positions and the Bears have a shot.

I mentioned Campbell, but noticed later it was at the combine.

I think of Shea McClellin chasing chickens when I think of Boise St. Jeantry I am sure will be better than that but I'm on the wagon of getting the big guys at OL or DL with those early picks.

Haven't read any reports on his weight drop, but he might be down 10-15#

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-draft-top-30-visits-tracker-full-list-of-every-prospect-all-32-teams-are-bringing-in-for-meetings/ Add Will Campbell to the list.

That is why no one can say they won't take OL, DL, RB etc. The only position we know they will not take is QB. The Bears are getting into position to build for the future instead of now. As long as they use their draft capital correct, next year will be even more unknown.

Keenum is here to mentor Caleb, Bagent, and Austin Reed. He's 3rd on the depth chart and his presence is to help them get up to speed with a new system, breaking down tape, and give them someone to look up to on how a vet goes about preparing everyday though out the season. It is a smart move, IMO. Caleb needed this last year especially getting through the debacle the Bears put him through with Waldron and Brown, then firing Flus.

I hope Kiran is the guy they took in round 3 with high hopes. Even if they take someone at 10 like Banks, they will find a spot to play and carry the Bears for years. The Bears avoided the trenches for decades, I'd be fine going OL DL every year round 1. So give me Bank/Campbell or Pierce/Grant and I'll be satisfied.

So the LT is not clear cut in this draft and the other positions of need are deep (DT,RB,DE). We have 2 potential LTs on the roster but one has a contract expiring and the other needs time to develop. Two LT prospects, Banks and Campbell, are projected top 12 with projections to be good/great LT or great G. They are projected to be as good as Braxton/Kiran off the bat. If Banks or Campbell are there at 10, the Bears have to weigh their value against prospects in 2026 they could draft vs Kirans development or the slim chance Braxton excels and deserves a contract extension. If Kiran doesn't overcome Braxton this year, the Bears are looking at later tier prospects to draft for 2026 and beyond since they should improve. The conclusion is the Bears have to seriously consider LT this draft. This is why Banks is talked about. If Banks cannot take and hold down the LT position, he will take Thuneys position and we hope Kiran can.

They have a mini camp next week, so the coaches amd players can finally meet.

Since Thuney has not been extended yet and Poles pattern is trading a 4th for a high priced vet and letting them walk (Keenan Allen), Banks can be the next all-pro guard if he doesn't excel at LT. The Bears need to end the pattern of trading picks for talent. By year 3, Kiran might be a good LT or they draft high again until they get a guy to excel and hold that spot for 8-10 years.

We don't know what Dennis Allen will want. He likes a 4 man front with size, athletic LBs, and DBs that can man cover. Walker has athleticism and can give Allen that exotic blitz he likes to employ at LB. He did mention the he likes "some pieces" at LB that the Bears have, so he sounds open to adding. He also said there are a couple of spots up front were they have some players but will need more especially at the edge. If they go D at 10, I think it will be a player that fits the size mold at DT/DE. James Pierce DE is not far from fitting the measurable and he has the production. A couple DEs rated higher just don't have the production.

I just started looking now haha. DT Darrell Jackson Jr FSU, 2 USC WRs that are 5'10 180 that might be a Caleb fav. Jeremiah Love RB Notre Dame....it's endless wants

I have been using draftbuzz for 3 years or more. They seem to list players strengths and weaknesses pretty accurately. I don't know their writers background but they are the first site I go to when learning about prospects. Looking at 2026 - haha - there are two names that already interest me at LT. Kadyn Proctor Alabama and Monroe Freeling Georgia. Banks can move to LG, replacing Thuney.

And my statement was what scouts that have watched tape brought up as a downfall on him. A first round pick used as a 3rd down pass rusher is a luxury right now. Walker would need to be developed at LB or Edge to become a 3 down player. His athletic traits are off the wall and he is a great pass rusher. Allen might love moving him around, so it is possible. If they think he can be a Micah Parsons, I'd be ecstatic to have him.

I guess it depends on which sites you use. He is graded highest now and when I started my draft dreamwork, I've mentioned Banks as a target because he was rated 1 or 2 then. Maybe I preferred his skill set to Campbell's then. That was 8 months or more ago.