Mock Drafts

[BearFan PHX]

I found a new draft simulator. I dunno if its good or realistic, but Ive enjoyed playing around with it.

Of course, without Free Agency it can only mean so much. But I keep drafting 

1 DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State
2 Edge Zion Young Missouri
3 ILB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech

I havent done any homework, so I might love or hate these guys in a couple months LOL

Anyway, heres the site: 

https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

[ASHKUM BEAR]

12 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I found a new draft simulator. I dunno if its good or realistic, but Ive enjoyed playing around with it.

Of course, without Free Agency it can only mean so much. But I keep drafting 

1 DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State
2 Edge Zion Young Missouri
3 ILB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech

I havent done any homework, so I might love or hate these guys in a couple months LOL

Anyway, heres the site: 

https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

Have to check it out bc draftbuzz seems to take the position you want out of the picture.  Every time all the DEs are gone, but then Averell Reese Edge/LB or RB Love is there at 25. Their algorithm seems off.

 

[Stinger226]

Those would be good choices but after the Combine rankings will be changed. I do think one of the first 3 picks will be a LT. BJ values the OL , clearly it will come down to can Theo do the job at a higher level. No free agents out there worth what they will be paid, so probably a high pick. 

[Stinger226]

8 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Have to check it out bc draftbuzz seems to take the position you want out of the picture.  Every time all the DEs are gone, but then Averell Reese Edge/LB or RB Love is there at 25. Their algorithm seems off.

 

Pro Football Network updates player rankings regularly. That's the one I prefer.

[Stinger226]

40 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I found a new draft simulator. I dunno if its good or realistic, but Ive enjoyed playing around with it.

Of course, without Free Agency it can only mean so much. But I keep drafting 

1 DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State
2 Edge Zion Young Missouri
3 ILB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech

I havent done any homework, so I might love or hate these guys in a couple months LOL

Anyway, heres the site: 

https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

This one has good rankings compared to the other ones I have used.  PFN has free trades in the process. I can't find where you can do on here.

[BearFan PHX]

9 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Have to check it out bc draftbuzz seems to take the position you want out of the picture.  Every time all the DEs are gone, but then Averell Reese Edge/LB or RB Love is there at 25. Their algorithm seems off.

 

DraftBuzz is tough for sure, but they may be more accurate as well.

But try adjusting the random number to something other than the default "2" and youll get different outcomes i think?

[ASHKUM BEAR]

17 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

DraftBuzz is tough for sure, but they may be more accurate as well.

But try adjusting the random number to something other than the default "2" and youll get different outcomes i think?

You do see different, sometimes worse when top 10 prospects are there and you want to take them but want a more realistic feel.  Ive been taking Lomu LT the last couple. 

[BearFan PHX]

I do remember last year I wanted LT Kelvin Banks. All the other ranking sites had him going in the 20s, but Draft Buzz had him going before our 9th pick a lot, almost every time. And they nailed it. In general I tend to think DraftBuzz is the most realistic one, but that also makes it less fun I guess

At any rate, I feel like DraftBuzz is that cold sobering buzzkill (lol) site that keeps us from thinking we're gonna get a top ten player in the 20s lol

[ASHKUM BEAR]

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

I do remember last year I wanted LT Kelvin Banks. All the other ranking sites had him going in the 20s, but Draft Buzz had him going before our 9th pick a lot, almost every time. And they nailed it. In general I tend to think DraftBuzz is the most realistic one, but that also makes it less fun I guess

At any rate, I feel like DraftBuzz is that cold sobering buzzkill (lol) site that keeps us from thinking we're gonna get a top ten player in the 20s lol

I just dont see all the de's gone before pick 25 either.  This class is not very deep, so if we dont see a premium position at 25, id be happy to move down to a qb needy team that passed in the top of the draft wanting the 5 yr contract to take one.   Maybe we can get a 2027 2nd rd pick and the 5th pick rd 2 in this draft 

[BearFan PHX]

44 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I just dont see all the de's gone before pick 25 either.  This class is not very deep, so if we dont see a premium position at 25, id be happy to move down to a qb needy team that passed in the top of the draft wanting the 5 yr contract to take one.   Maybe we can get a 2027 2nd rd pick and the 5th pick rd 2 in this draft 

Yeah Ive been thinking - 25 is in that dead zone where you pay more, but get the same level of talent as you do in the early part of the 2nd round.

I wouldnt be surprised at all if we traded out of that pick. Possibly UP for a difference maker, or more likely, down for extra picks. Maybe to a QB hungry team like you suggest. That makes sense.

I think this offseason is going to be very dynamic with cuts, trades, surprises. We've all seen how Poles and Johnson are aggressive in making changes, and the defense surely needs and overhaul. I think it's going to be a fun and bumpy ride.

[Stinger226]

There are generally anywhere from 15 to 20 blue chip players in most drafts experts say. Not sure I would call it a dead zone but you are correct in saying the next 20 to 55 players are closely rated.  Last year had several good players taken after pick 20 .  

There is a draft site that lists who are the most accurate at drafting forecasting every year. I'll try to find it . Not sure where draft buzz was listed but it's a very well done information site for sure.

Anytime you get draft picks like Monangai as a 25th rated RB by almost every site, you realize it's just all a crap shoot and to be taken for a grain of salt. GMs get stuff wrong all the time and they get paid big money to be experts.

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

There are generally anywhere from 15 to 20 blue chip players in most drafts experts say. Not sure I would call it a dead zone but you are correct in saying the next 20 to 55 players are closely rated.  Last year had several good players taken after pick 20 .  

There is a draft site that lists who are the most accurate at drafting forecasting every year. I'll try to find it . Not sure where draft buzz was listed but it's a very well done information site for sure.

Anytime you get draft picks like Monangai as a 25th rated RB by almost every site, you realize it's just all a crap shoot and to be taken for a grain of salt. GMs get stuff wrong all the time and they get paid big money to be experts.

yeah, dead zone is the wrong term, youre right. I mean like you said, an area where you pay more for the same level of talent.

Also, when they rate players, they rate them as prospects. So a guy like Monangai, they saw some things, but saw him lacking in others. He was a bigger gamble, so rated lower.

But once they get into the NFL, a lot has to do with the coaching and how they grow. If your scouts think a player is coachable and has hidden skills, then you take that gamble and see. And as a 7th rounder, it wasnt much risk.

So you can find excellent players in the 3rd and 4th round and beyond, but theyre bigger gambles, (at least in most teams eyes) and thats why they fall.

The most fun is when a player is rated lower but a bunch of teams think he's a hidden gem. So hes not really hidden, but his public rank is lower than the teams might have him. I think Banks and Loveland fit that category. The teams had discovered them, but the pundits hadnt.

The draft is an unweildy and complicated bitch! lol

[Stinger226]

Agree on everything. I guess that what makes it so interesting, the key is a team having good draft instincts and coaches coaching them up. AND they still screw up 

 

[Mongo3451]

35 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Agree on everything. I guess that what makes it so interesting, the key is a team having good draft instincts and coaches coaching them up. AND they still screw up 

 

I've always been big on drafting talent that can be coached up.  Psych eval is huge...

[AZ54]

20 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

I found a new draft simulator. I dunno if its good or realistic, but Ive enjoyed playing around with it.

Of course, without Free Agency it can only mean so much. But I keep drafting 

1 DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State
2 Edge Zion Young Missouri
3 ILB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech

I havent done any homework, so I might love or hate these guys in a couple months LOL

Anyway, heres the site: 

https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

Your first guesses are good ones.  

[AZ54]

20 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

Those would be good choices but after the Combine rankings will be changed. I do think one of the first 3 picks will be a LT. BJ values the OL , clearly it will come down to can Theo do the job at a higher level. No free agents out there worth what they will be paid, so probably a high pick. 

At this time of year for me the mocks are for learning about the prospects.  Of course as we (and teams) learn more about them they will move up or down.   Every time I do a mock I try to go find info and highlights of the prospects available on at that pick.  

[BearFan PHX]

1 hour ago, AZ54 said:

At this time of year for me the mocks are for learning about the prospects.  Of course as we (and teams) learn more about them they will move up or down.   Every time I do a mock I try to go find info and highlights of the prospects available on at that pick.  

yeah like an intro to the class. so the names are familiar when you start to really look into them?

[Stinger226]

8 hours ago, AZ54 said:

At this time of year for me the mocks are for learning about the prospects.  Of course as we (and teams) learn more about them they will move up or down.   Every time I do a mock I try to go find info and highlights of the prospects available on at that pick.  

True,I didn't know any names but now are familiar with who some pundits rate high for expectations. Draft Buzz is a good information site and I always get Dane Bulger guide free on The Athletic. This is always the most interesting time of the year for me but different this year because we don't need a rebuild but tweaking the roster.

[adam]

On 2/7/2026 at 2:35 AM, BearFan PHX said:

I found a new draft simulator. I dunno if its good or realistic, but Ive enjoyed playing around with it.

Of course, without Free Agency it can only mean so much. But I keep drafting 

1 DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State
2 Edge Zion Young Missouri
3 ILB Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech

I havent done any homework, so I might love or hate these guys in a couple months LOL

Anyway, heres the site: 

https://sticktothemodel.com/draft/simulator

I checked it out, pretty cool. I like that it allows you to do everything, including player trades. 

If the Bears can get that with their first 3 picks, I am perfectly happy as long as Safety is addressed in free agency.

[BearFan PHX]

9 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

True,I didn't know any names but now are familiar with who some pundits rate high for expectations. Draft Buzz is a good information site and I always get Dane Bulger guide free on The Athletic. This is always the most interesting time of the year for me but different this year because we don't need a rebuild but tweaking the roster.

Duane Brugler is very good at his job. He often disagrees with the common narratives, and he is usually right. Great place to get info.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Another option for LT that we hear yearly is Darnell Wright.  Yes, its better to leave him alone, but its an option.  The list is Benedict, Kiran, Thuney, and Wright until Trapilo is healthy enough to return. 

Does using another high pick make sense? They won't know much about Kiran until after the draft that they dont already know.  You'd think a light turns on eventually. 

[Stinger226]

They have a plan, it could be Wright with Theo on the right but Kiran is a wildcard as to his future but what if it happens? Or draft one. 

[Stinger226]

Here's a mock off season. I don't agree with everything but it's not bad. I think this is the site PHX mentioned. 

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

59 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Here's a mock off season. I don't agree with everything but it's not bad. I think this is the site PHX mentioned. 

 

I started watching, will have to finish later, but pretty cool.  Ive only drafted a couple times, but the playing gm is interesting woth restructures etc.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Stick to the model simulator is fun. It limits me to one, which is enough...haha

Not sure if this draft puts the Bears into top 5 for 2026, but think it fills some needs and a start to rebuilding the D. 

Traded the first pick since Buff offered a 2027 2nd, I am good taking 2027 rounds 1-3 trades, it should be a strong class 

Rd1- Caleb Banks- 1T- the closest defensive position to the QB. Banks has massive size and power, with speed. Shuts down the inside running lanes and get push up the middle to flush the QB.

Rd2- Romeo Heights DE- smaller, older, but non-stop motor with rare speed. May not be the best against the run or getting hands on him, but if you want pass rush, he has it.

Rd3 - Gracen Halton 3T- another D-lineman with get off and relentless motor. Needs strength and refinement but adds a guy to step in behind Jarrett and Dexter, maybe Turner depends on where the Bears see him. 

Rd4- Jalen Kilgore SS - physical DB with elite size and speed.  Replaces Brisker 

Rd5- Sam Roush TE - Ben Johnson loves to use mismatches, and having another big reciever/end that can line up all over and he can block keeps the pipeline full

Rd7 - Trevor Lauck OT - Iowa LT that needs work pass protecting but is fundamentally sound and a high effort guy.  Gives the Bears another body to put in mix with Theo, Kiran, and Ozzy. 

Rd7- Kaelon Black RB - Indiana RB and his closest comp is Kyle Moninagae. Id rather find speed, but couldnt pick anyone else because this guy's profile seems like another 7th round star