Draft Prospects

[AZ54]

It's that itme of year where I start digging into college prospects getting ready for the draft.   I think we all know the top issues LT, DT, DE.  I'd love to add a good 3-tech to this defensive front as I think that alone would be a game changer on our defense.  Unfortunately what I've seen so far from draft prospects the DT class is underwhelming and we have no chance at the one elite DT in this draft who will go top 5, Peter Woods.  That moves me to find Edge help and I'm working from top rankings off TDN's site.   

TDN lists Ruben Bain Jr. as top 10.  I like his game but he does not seem to have any elite traits that would command a top 10 pick.  Since we're definitely draft outside the top 15 I'm looking further down the list. 

I really like TJ Parker out of Clemson.  He's listed as a 8 overall on TheDraftNetwork but he's not the fastest nor the longest edge player and those guys tend to drop in the draft.  Would he drop enough to get into a window where we might trade up?  I'm not advocating trading up at all - a check on draft history shows 4,4,5,5,5,4,2,4 DE drafted in Rd 1.  There appears to be enough depth here to get one.     Despite  Parker's size concerns he is a 3 down player who defends the run well and would compliment Booker very well on the opposite edge.  For the record I do look at Booker as a future starter for us.  Just 3 games into his sophomore season he's already out-performing Sweat and Dayo.  

Matayo Uiagalelei fits in the same mold as Parker being more run defender but is less bendy as a pass rusher.  Good length and power as a run defender will not win with speed.  I'd say his game is similar to Shemar Turner's but maybe less violent.  He's a good player but I prefer to add more speed to our defensive front.  

Third is Keldric Faulk who also seems to have to win from power but does have some initial first step quickness.  Again he's good against the run but he'll be just 20 yr old at draft time so unlocking his pass rush potential will take coaching and time.   Potential is there.  I'll be keeping an eye on him throughout the draft process.  

Cashius Howell is more of a 3-4 LB/Edge so I don't think he fits the scheme.  LT Overton is a good player but like Turner is more of a tweener between Edge/DT which I'm not interested in adding.  

R Mason Thomas is a name to watch.  TDN lists him at 36 overall  but that will absolutely change because he can run the hoop and has enough strength to hold up when he dips his shoulder underneath an OT.   While he won't be a true 3-down DE for us, we have nobody like him as a pass rusher on the roster.   3rd and long, or late game when trying to protect a lead against a team that is forced to pass, you want someone like him on the field.  

 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/09/05/tj-parker-scouting-report-nfl-draft   

[Mongo3451]

As of now, we pick 23rd and look for us to fall into the 18-20 range as the season progresses.  I did a mock draft on PFF and changed our pick to 18.  Five edge players were drafted before us.  Things always change and a star may be born in the coming months.

[AZ54]

8 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

As of now, we pick 23rd and look for us to fall into the 18-20 range as the season progresses.  I did a mock draft on PFF and changed our pick to 18.  Five edge players were drafted before us.  Things always change and a star may be born in the coming months.

For sure draft boards at this time will change dramatically.  I've learned this early in the process you really need to look into anyone in the first / second round grades to get an idea of who really will end up with a round 1 grade.  Rarely does an early-in-the-process 3rd Rd grade move up into late 1st but sometimes especially with very young players it can happen.   

[BearFan PHX]

Not a first round concern, but we may need to add safety to that list, because I dont see Brisker being re-signed?

Also, as well as Edmunds has been playing this year, his cap number is really high, and we might need a replacement for him too?

Same for DJ Moore, but i think we already have his replacement on the roster in Luther Burden III

We might need a TE too, given that Kmet doesn't seem to be worth his $11.6M either?

[AZ54]

I don't see Kmet going anywhere given how complimentary Ben Johnson was on his play against the Vikings.  Then just to create a hole that has to be backfilled using a draft pick.  Given all the needs we still have on the roster we need all the picks we can get.  However, he could be dangled in a trade either for a pick or more likely a player at a need position.  Trading to fill a need offsets the value proposition with the draft pick.   I see the same situation with DJ Moore, he's a benefit to the team but with his replacement already on the roster we have to consider options.  Trading Kmet nets $8.4mil in cap savings.  Trading DJ $16.5mil.   Swift is the other logical place to free up money either through cut or I'd say they could consider a 1yr extension to eek out a bit of space.   I'm pretty sure we'll be drafting another RB likely on day 3 again, cut Swift and it likely needs to be a day 2 pick.  While I know fans have concerns over Swift, I think Ben Johnson's concern with a rookie replacement will be pass pro.  His running ability can be replaced.  

Cap space for 2026 projected cap of $300mil,   Bears have just $1mil in space.   I expected Edmunds to get cut but seeing how he's been playing under Allen I think he'll get an extension that will lower his cap hit.   Hopefully with a rising team we can get a bit of a home team discount instead of having to be highest bidder.  

 

[BearFan PHX]

44 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

I don't see Kmet going anywhere given how complimentary Ben Johnson was on his play against the Vikings.  Then just to create a hole that has to be backfilled using a draft pick.  Given all the needs we still have on the roster we need all the picks we can get.  However, he could be dangled in a trade either for a pick or more likely a player at a need position.  Trading to fill a need offsets the value proposition with the draft pick.   I see the same situation with DJ Moore, he's a benefit to the team but with his replacement already on the roster we have to consider options.  Trading Kmet nets $8.4mil in cap savings.  Trading DJ $16.5mil.   Swift is the other logical place to free up money either through cut or I'd say they could consider a 1yr extension to eek out a bit of space.   I'm pretty sure we'll be drafting another RB likely on day 3 again, cut Swift and it likely needs to be a day 2 pick.  While I know fans have concerns over Swift, I think Ben Johnson's concern with a rookie replacement will be pass pro.  His running ability can be replaced.  

Cap space for 2026 projected cap of $300mil,   Bears have just $1mil in space.   I expected Edmunds to get cut but seeing how he's been playing under Allen I think he'll get an extension that will lower his cap hit.   Hopefully with a rising team we can get a bit of a home team discount instead of having to be highest bidder.  

 

I agree. I don't think just cutting Kmet would the right move. It should be a trade.

Kmet is the 7th highest paid TE in the league, and he's not even the best TE on the team.