Pick #25

[adam]

The Bears have the 25th pick in the 2026 draft. Pass Rush is an issue, no starting Safeties, and a question mark at LT. They need at least 2 starters from this class.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

DE and DT come to mind for 1 and 2 and a S round 3.  I dont see Billings back, think Dexter can handle nose?  The need at LT stinks bc we have resources.  This is Kirans time to rise, of Ozzy can do it he can too.  We need Ozzy back ASAP, but feel it could be into next season. 

[AZ54]

8 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

DE and DT come to mind for 1 and 2 and a S round 3.  I dont see Billings back, think Dexter can handle nose?  The need at LT stinks bc we have resources.  This is Kirans time to rise, of Ozzy can do it he can too.  We need Ozzy back ASAP, but feel it could be into next season. 

Billings so he can make tackles 8 yards off the LOS?  No we don't need that.  If there is a stud safety there in Rd 2 I'm ok taking him there but logic says go DT/DE early.    

[Stinger226]

39 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

DE and DT come to mind for 1 and 2 and a S round 3.  I dont see Billings back, think Dexter can handle nose?  The need at LT stinks bc we have resources.  This is Kirans time to rise, of Ozzy can do it he can too.  We need Ozzy back ASAP, but feel it could be into next season. 

You're spot on, the big key is LT options. I doubt they draft one in the first. Clearly Braxton gone, how long will Ozzy be gone and can Kiran compete with Theo until Ozzy is back? We have plenty of time to project.

[Stinger226]

With the way Brisker played after a healthy year  played his best game  as a pro in the most important game , I think they will strongly consider bringing both Ss back. It comes down to money. 

[AZ54]

1 hour ago, Stinger226 said:

With the way Brisker played after a healthy year  played his best game  as a pro in the most important game , I think they will strongly consider bringing both Ss back. It comes down to money. 

He wasn’t very good against the Packers.  I wish he had played like he did today all year long.  It’s time for younger players.  

[ASHKUM BEAR]

10 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

He wasn’t very good against the Packers.  I wish he had played like he did today all year long.  It’s time for younger players.  

For sure, I can see a one year extension but not long term. He played great tonight but wasn't any where near like this all year. 

[Mongo3451]

8 hours ago, AZ54 said:

He wasn’t very good against the Packers.  I wish he had played like he did today all year long.  It’s time for younger players.

He wasn't great in coverage, but was the top tackler.  Our stud safety is already on the team.  It's Tremaine "can't fill the hole" Edmunds.  He finishes every play from the secondary.  The wife even notices now.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

12 hours ago, adam said:

and a question mark at LT.

So any reason Thuney couldn’t stay LT - if needed?  I mean sure it was one game but he and McFadden did a pretty bang up job last night.  Rarely did Caleb have to scramble and this was against one of the best defensive front out there.  

[BearFan PHX]

22 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

So any reason Thuney couldn’t stay LT - if needed?  I mean sure it was one game but he and McFadden did a pretty bang up job last night.  Rarely did Caleb have to scramble and this was against one of the best defensive front out there.  

possibly until Trapilo is ready anyway?

[ASHKUM BEAR]

27 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

possibly until Trapilo is ready anyway?

Get Kiran prepared for the job and Thuney as insurance. Kiran either steps up or steps out.  Hate to see him bust. Wish his dad never ran into Flus at the golf course. 

[adam]

For positional value, the Bears need an immediate starter at #25, that seems like DT or S, but could also be CB, LB, or Edge with a Wild Card being OT. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

10 minutes ago, adam said:

For positional value, the Bears need an immediate starter at #25, that seems like DT or S, but could also be CB, LB, or Edge with a Wild Card being OT. 

Which position will make the most impact. A DE/DT can help the DBs.  I doubt any hybrid ILB/edge rushers fall that far, but DA is a LB guy. That Reese from OSU is going to go top 10 if not higher.  Id like to see a 3T, but that makes Dexter a player who needs to transition to NT and he may not be stout enough to plug that gap.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

My guess is DT or LB end up going here. Could even see a slight move down and target one of those spots or a safety. But don’t force your hand - play best talent that falls. I doubt it will be a DE.

[Mongo3451]

1 hour ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

So any reason Thuney couldn’t stay LT - if needed?  I mean sure it was one game but he and McFadden did a pretty bang up job last night.  Rarely did Caleb have to scramble and this was against one of the best defensive front out there.  

Thuney in a pinch, but you don't want to leave him there, due him being dominant at guard.  Benedet can fill in next year as he gets stronger.  BJ was on record wanting Thuney at LT this week because of the opponent matchup.  Jared Verse's strength is a great bull rush and they wanted that neutralized.

[AZ54]

3 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

So any reason Thuney couldn’t stay LT - if needed?  I mean sure it was one game but he and McFadden did a pretty bang up job last night.  Rarely did Caleb have to scramble and this was against one of the best defensive front out there.  

He’s not very good against speed.   Verse is a pure power rusher so that’s why they made that move. 

[DABEARSDABOMB]

5 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

He’s not very good against speed.   Verse is a pure power rusher so that’s why they made that move. 

Yeah I think it was purely they didn’t think they could afford that in this game and made the move. Hopefully Trapillo ends up developing and recovering and another offseason helps Theo…but is also seems like we could see them look for a vet stop gap or another option. 

[DABEARSDABOMB]

7 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

He’s not very good against speed.   Verse is a pure power rusher so that’s why they made that move. 

Thuney was excellent against pass rush (only one bad play) but the run game was hampered having him out there…doesn’t have the speed to run the zone concepts out there. That is where Theo and Trapillo made a difference. 

[Stinger226]

14 hours ago, AZ54 said:

He wasn’t very good against the Packers.  I wish he had played like he did today all year long.  It’s time for younger players.  

I think he's only 25-26, just entering his prime.  Depends on concerns about future health that I think will affect re-signing him. 

[Stinger226]

1 hour ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Thuney was excellent against pass rush (only one bad play) but the run game was hampered having him out there…doesn’t have the speed to run the zone concepts out there. That is where Theo and Trapillo made a difference. 

I think with the change the continuity of the OL was disrupted and did affect the running game. I think Kiran may enter the LT competition if he can stay healthy. The key will be if Ozzy can get back to health quickly.