dawhizz

I saw where the Baltimore GM was asked why they didn't draft a center and he said they had someone they liked, but they were drafted in the second. That means they probably liked Jones and Slaughter. Now, Baltimore could have drafted either but got Zion Young instead at 45. Their next pick was at 80 I think, but maybe if the Bears don't take Jones Baltimore jumps up before the Bears can get him in the second - the Bears need and interest in centers was not exactly a secret. Then again, maybe if Jones emerges as a starter sooner rather than later, Baltimore becomes someone you could flip Bradberry to if they have issues there going into the season.

Part of this is due to NIL. There were fewer small school players drafted overall because with NIL, small school players or even good players at schools that aren’t traditionally as good, get noticed and snatched up by bigger/better schools. Even among our picks, Thieneman started at Purdue, Thomas started at Mississippi State, Elliott started at New Mexico State, and Van Den Berg was at Penn State. I think I read where there were fewer small school, lower level, and non power conference players drafted this year overall.

This is pretty funny but also it seems like that’s just who this dude is - pretty serious and focused. Here is is talking about Jaylon Johnson being one of the few guys he looks at because he’s more old school.

Maybe AJ Epenesa?

I note that Travon Walker is a free agent next year, who seems like a very DA DE.

I don’t watch LSU, but it seems like their WR room was weird. A TE caught the most TDs and the leading wide receiver only had 53 receptions, then Zavion had 41 but a higher per catch average, and then two other WRs with 33 and 31 catches.

I have to say, in his LSU highlights he seemed like a bit of a body catcher, which concerned me, but going back to his Mississippi State days, he looks like more of a hands catcher and a bit of a better receiver. Not sure what’s up with that but he seems to have the skills you want. Also, in looking at his stats, I see he was a very successful kick returner in 2023 and 2024, but in 2025 he didn’t really return kicks and mostly just handled some punt returns. Seems strange for a guy you draft for his return ability. Anyone know what’s up with that? [EDIT - In looking further, Thomas was the primary punt returner, but Barion Brown, who the Saints drafted in the sixth round, was the main kick returner. I think he actually caught more balls than Thomas, but was a bit slower and lighter.] LSUZavion Thomas

After years of complaining that the Bears weren’t addressing the O-line enough, now that they actually have a good one I’m not going to argue that they are going after O-line too aggressively.

It’s fair I guess if you wanted edge in the first (though I would prefer Thieneman over any of the edges available) and there’s maybe an argument they should have traded up in the second, but by the time they got to the Bears pick int the second, I’m not exactly crestfallen we didn’t get any of the remaining edges. Maybe you could make an argument for DDS (we’ll see how he fares in Green Bay), but keep in mind that pretty much no edge taken between rounds 3 and 7 last year had more than three sacks (and that was Josiah Stewart who was more of a LB). so expecting some great impact from a rookie edge is pretty unlikely. StatMuseRookie Sacks Leaders 2025 | StatMuseJames Pearce Jr. had the most sacks by a rookie in 2025, with 10.5 sacks.

I agree 100%. It was the only pick I’m still pretty unsure about. I’m sure they have a plan, but I would rather a more well rounded receiver than what seem like a speed/gadget/return guy. Skyler Bell or Bryce Lance seemed like better picks at WR with some return ability over Thomas. But I guess we’ll see.

For those keeping track, while Logan Jones definitely had a 30 visit with the Bears (which was not reported pre-draft), based on their post-draft comments about their level of engagement with the Bears, it does not sound like Thieneman, Roush, Thomas, or Elliott did. Not sure about Muhammad or Van der Berg.

Baby steps.

I know I'm a Peter Woods hater already, but am I crazy for liking this guy in the 6th more than Peter Woods in the 1st? They were the two All-ACC DTs for this year, so very similar competition, and, admittedly, van der Berg is three years older (24) than Woods (21), but: Woods van der Berg Height 6'2" 6'3" Weight 298 310 Arm 31 1/4" 31 1/8" Hand 9 1/8" 9 3/8" Vertical 29" 36" Broad 8'8" 9'11" 40 N/A 4.94 20 N/A 2.75 10 1.67 1.61 Shuttle 4.54 4.19 3-cone 7.70 N/A Bench N/A 35 2025 tackles 30 44 2025 TFL 3.5 11.0 2024 sacks 2 3

Post draft press conference. Ben emphasizes that he wants players who “if you took football away from them they wouldn’t know what to do.” He’s such a psycho I love it.

Basically the most athletic class for this year.

Oh no. Not again.

Oh no - he’s a Packers fan! Green Bay Packers On SIThis Packers Fan Is Most Athletic, Interesting, Underrate...When Jordan van den Berg says it’s in his DNA to be a professional football player, he’s not kidding. His grandfather, Francois van den Berg, twice placed in th

Bears traded their two 7ths to get into the 6th and take this guy so unless they try to move back in, they are done for the day.

Bears traded their two 7th round picks (239 and 241) to move into the end of the sixth and take this guy. Born in South Africa and grew up playing rugby. Seems like he progressed finally a bit this year. Wonder if he might qualify as an international roster exemption which can sometimes be useful with a late pick you don’t want to lose. Heard the show say he can maybe play inside and outside similar to Dayo and Shemar. Oh, and I’d say he’s a pretty good athlete . . .

I mean, Ian was here for Zacch Pickens, Velus Jones, and Kiran, so let’s mot pretend he gets credit for the good picks but no blame for the bad.

Not a guy I’m familiar with, but he was super productive last year, including some good sack numbers, and while I’ve heard questions about his athletic ability he seemed to test pretty well. You probably had one more spot in the LB corps up for grabs so this is fine with me. Sounds like a good special teamer and pretty smart player. I might have preferred Harold Perkins, but I have no beef.

They always do that on day three. Day two is usually former players for the teams and day one is just the commissioner with occasional guests.

Good pick. Needed competition at outside CB tour pressure on Tyrique. Not a ton of turnovers but competed as well as anyone against Jeremiah Smith.

No problem with this pick at all. I’ve been screaming for competition at #2 CB and this guy can do it.