Maybe take a break from draft for a day. I found this informative Dan Roushar seminar that looks like it was given in a Holiday Inn, but is loaded with tons of info about his system and coaching in general. Fair warning, it’s pretty hardcore and an hour long, so prepare your angus!
I don’t know about you guys, but I always feel like I can learn more about oline in general, and what better way to learn than from Bears’ new Oline coach? HOPEFULLY Roushar finally fixes this damn oline that has struggled mightily since everyone kept trying to gaslight us that Mike Tice was great.
Category: Sports
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Film Study: 2019 DAN ROUSHAR Saints Wide Zone Clinic
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All Aboard Ozzy Train!
Perhaps the #1 story going into camp will be Ozzy Trapilo. He has a lot of backers, but also more than his share of detractors, “a 2nd RDer for a back-up!”
The criticism is legit, but friendly reminder: it was going to be difficult for any prospect to crack the starting lineup
One could argue that if the Bears, and not 9ers, drafted Mykell Williams, Edge [6’5, 265] , then he would’ve been the starter. Maybe that’s true, and much like Wright will be forever contrasted with Carter, Loveland will be compared to Mykell, but more likely Mykell ends up in a heavy rotation
Still, if we consider NB Gordon a ‘starter’ [and he sure as hell is getting PAID like one], then we must equally consider the move TE/Slot WR a starter too
SAM was about the only open ‘starter’ slot but 4-3 base is run less than 50% of time
Even so, “swing” likely won’t see the field unless an INJ [or suckage] strikes; hence on paper at least, Ozzy isn’t a ‘starter’
That being said, do you recall the last time the starting 5 olinemen for the Bears began and finished a season as a unit without missing a game? I sure can’t. My best guess is the Kreutz’ era
“Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst”
Ozzy’s natural position seems to be RT Maybe LT in a pinch
But how about possible OG to take over for Thuney or if Jonah Jackson underwhelms?
Well, I dug a little into Ozzy’s metrics and precedents
According to PFF, the top OGs heading into ‘24 season:
Chris Lindstrom, ATL; Thuney, KC; Sam Cosmi, Wash; Tyler Smith, DAL; Quinn Meinerz, DEN
One can make his own list, but I’m just going off PFF
I won’t boggle you down with numbers, so I just focused on height, weight and 10 yd split:
Lindstrom, 6’3, 308, 1.68
Thuney, —6’4, 304, 1.71
Cosmi, —-6’5, 314, 1.68
Smith, —-6’4, 320, 1.7
Meinerz, -6’2, 320, 1.73—————
Jonah Jackson 6’3, 306, 1.84
Darnell Wright 6’5, 333, 1.75
Braxton Jones, 6’5, 310, 1.68
Ozzy Trapilo, –6’8, 316, 1.77*
All, except Thuney, 33”+ arms
[If you’re interested in RAS, follow Kent Lee Platte]
Now if you just look at these numbers [and verify it with tape], we can note some interesting possibilities
Jonah Jackson’s 1.84 sticks out like a sore-thumb. He’s also been INJ-ridden, so that’s not going to help his quickness
Lindstrom, Cosmi and Braxton Jones have a 1.68 split. This checks cuz we know Braxton can pull and demolish LBs at the second lvl. So, why not him at OG if you believe he’s a subpar LT?
Say you’re fine with Braxton at LT, ‘Give him an opportunity under competent coaching’Ok, well, maybe Wright at OG? He profiles very similarly to Tyler Smith; then start Trapilo at RT
Greg Gabriel believes that Trapilo has bend and movement to play OG, but that’s hard to envision at 6’8/ 1.78 split. Maybe he’s that good but seems like an outlier. I thought Long was too tall for OG, even so he was 6’6, not 6’8!
Being that tall also didn’t help Long’s back
Braxton or Wright at OG appear to better fit the precedents; albeit if this happens, I doubt it’s immediately. The Bears will give this lineup a chance first before moving around players:
Braxton-Thuney-Dalman-Jackson-Wright
Nevertheless, it appears that Ozzy at least provides BJ ‘flexibility’ along the lines
Besides, never know. Maybe Ozzy Trapilo can man LT. A gal can dream… -
Country Strong
All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in our Gauls, the third. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws[…]Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest, because they are furthest from the civilization and refinement of [our] Province, and merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind; and they are the nearest to the Germans, who dwell beyond the Rhine , with whom they are continually waging war;
– Julius Caesar, Gallic War
It was also a common practice for elite Roman legions to recruit from rural areas as they viewed a physical upbringing more conducive to martial lifeThen again…
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“This Time, It Feels Different” by guest reg Rob
One of the stranger aspects of Bears’ fandom since the Lovie Smith era has been the Bears’ general draft strategy. We witnessed two reset-the-franchise picks under Ryan Pace (Trubisky, Fields) mixed in with aggressively trading away draft picks as if the team were just a player or two away from contender status. It was an odd but telling combination for one of the worst teams in football over the past decade.
Ryan Poles has reversed some of those trends – the Bears have held more than the standard seven draft picks in three of his four drafts – but his first two years at the helm still saw the Bears treading a familiar path, selecting five defensive players out of seven total picks in the first three rounds.
We all knew what was coming in ’24, but for me, the 2025 draft comes as a revelation in the wake of Bears history – in my 31 years of Bears’ fandom, I cannot recall a draft approach quite like this one.
First, some historical notes: since the modern-day seven round draft commenced in 1993, the Bears have selected offensive players with their first three picks seven times (which surprised me). The 2024 and ’25 drafts mark the first time in the modern draft era in which the Bears drafted three offensive players at the top of the draft in back-to-back year.
This offense-first draft focus in back-to-back years is extremely rare for the Bears in the overall history of the NFL draft. Only the 1945-46 drafts and the 1941, ’42 and ’43 drafts saw the Bears select three offensive players at the top of each draft (position names back then are a bit wonky, so forgive me if I got that wrong).
Pro Football Reference has all the gory details, like the cherished 1997 draft that brought TE John Allred, G Bob Sapp and RB Darnell Autry to the Bears with their first three selections.
But back to the hopefully good stuff of ’25:
- While the Colston Loveland pick has its critics (preference for Warren, too high of a selection for a TE), we should appreciate this pick for its glass-breaking novelty. The Bears have a solid TE under contract (Cole Kmet), and they went out and picked another one anyways! Perhaps this is foolish for a 5-win team, but have we ever seen such an attitude from the Bears? The only comparison I can think of was the selection of Cedric Benson in ’05 with Thomas Jones under contract.
- The selection of Luther Burden follows a similar trend. Olamide Zaccheaus is a perfectly acceptable football player and slot receiver. In virtually any other era of Bears football, the Bears would have been “set” at WR going into the draft. And yet, the Bears aimed to improve a critical position group in the modern game.
- Ozzy Trapilo once again breaks the mold. The Bears have an offensive line that, on paper, is at least OK. The Bears even have a developmental tackle with real draft capital in Kiran Amegadjie. For the first time in a very long time, “OK” and “let’s start Arlington Hambright” is no longer good enough for the offensive line.
Of course, bucking history only has value as a narrative. The draft is an annual crapshoot, and Loveland, Burden and Trapiilo may all bust. But for at least a brief moment, Bears fans should savor the feeling that the franchise is, for once, trying a different approach.
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Post-Draft mish-mash
Boy, I think this draft is going to split Bear fans
Camp 1. Obviously BJ in charge now, and as such, he’s finally ushering the Bears into the modern NFL of offense and playmakers
Camp 2. TE & WR were ‘luxury’ picks, and Ozzy was a big reach at LT in the 2nd. Poles shoulda stayed put and drafted trenches and HB – Draft Day Butch
———————-
This is an informative Greg Gabriel interview [before day 2] cuz it shows how the sausage is made. Some insights.- “James Pierce just doesn’t give a fuck”. No wonder he dropped some. Huge risk
- ‘Mike Green was off the board for some teams, so you know he was never on the Bears’ board’
- Scourton had 10 sacks at 256 standing up. As DE at 280 lost explosion. 5 sacks
- Colt’s Insider msged Greg Gabriel that Bears drafted right TE
- ‘Ppl say, ‘trade down’, the Colts would’ve traded up for Colston. Other teams were trying to do same
- That praise for Warren and Jeanty trade-up talk was to throw teams off Bears’ target: Loveland
- Gabriel contacted DR. Shoulder will be alright. Sounds worse than it really is
- OT Ersey is not a fit for Ben’s scheme. He doesn’t move well enough
- OT Charles Grant is basically another Kiran project
- ‘This was a good draft for oline, just not LT’. Doesn’t think Wright athletic enough for LT
- ‘HB is a one-contract position now. Is that value?’
- Alfred Collins had INJ concerns. ‘Not one big thing, just a lot of little shit’
Day 3
- Daniel Jermiah comped Ozzy to Rob Havenstein, Gabriel thinks Ozzy like Mike McClinchey
- Ozzy has athleticism and bend to play OG, though true, not many 6’8 OGs
- “Shemar Turner is a bad MOFO”
—————–
Twitts
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Courtney Cronin@CourtneyRCronin
The Bears draft is over. Here’s their 2025 draft class:1st – 10th: TE Colston Loveland
2nd – 39th: WR Luther Burden III
2nd – 56th: OT Ozzy Trapilo
2nd – 62nd: DT Shemar Turner
4th – 132nd: LB Ruben Hyppolite II
5th – 169th: CB Zah Frazier
6th – 195th: G Luke Newman
7th – 233rd: RB Kyle Monangai
——————————–
Adam Hoge@AdamHoge[No. 36 – CLE drafts RB Judkins]
No. 38 – NE drafts RB TreVeyon Henderson
No. 39 – Bears draft Luther Burden
No. 41 – Bears trade backNo. 104 – JAX drafts RB Bhayshul Tuten
No. 105 – NYG drafts RB Cam Skattebo
No. 109 – Bears trade backNo. 147 – SF drafts RB Jordan James
No. 148 – Bears trade back
—————————Kevin Fishbain@kfishbain
Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol on CB Zah Frazier: “We brought him in for a 30-visit and this guy was unbelievable. … Outgoing. Really self-aware. Had to take the long route to the NFL … but we absolutely loved having him in the building.”
Adam Hoge@AdamHoge
Summary on CB Zah Frazier from #Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziel:
Height/length/speed guy. Got his hands on the ball a lot last year. Can turn and track the ball. Good instincts. Fits Dennis Allen’s desire for length/speed on the outside. 30-visit was great. A lot of energy.
—————–Kent Lee Platte@MathBomb
Ruben Hyppolite was drafted in round 4 pick 132 in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.22 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 570 out of 3204 LB from 1987 to 2025.
——-https://twitter.com/BearsBlitznet/status/1916116771032940815/photo/1
🌊
@MIKEYSAINRISTILTyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
—————-Butch post-draft musings
- BJ wants speed, speed and more speed. I think all draftees were fast for their position or ran a great 10 yd split [short area burst]. BJ wanted to give Caleb some easy completions. DJ/Rome/Kmet aren’t really ‘separators’. Loveland and Burden are.
- Shemar at 290 is a 3T. HOWEVER, Allen stated he likes his DEs about 280. Shemar loses 10 pounds, he’s a DE
- Bears needed a 3T and DE. Shemar may be both. He played INJed last year [stress fracture], but in ‘23 racked up 6 sacks
- Bears either nabbed BPA [Loveland/Burden] or “reached” [Ozzy/Hyppolite]. Add all the tradedowns, and it’s understandable why many fans are ‘wtf?’
- Poles may have reached for OT at #56, but look at draft. Another true OT [not projected OG] doesn’t get picked after Ozzy ’til pick #91 Emery Jones who may not fit BJ’s scheme.
OT Charles Grant went #99, but he’s basically another Kiran project. So essentially the draft went a whole round without drafting an OT after Ozzy #tiers
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Draft Dross
“One can make a valid argument and still be wrong” the Prof boomed
It’s a concept I never truly considered. I was young, so still lived in a black-and-white world where everything is either right or wrong, no gray [life cures you of that, btw]
A flat-earther is not likely to win any debate because by default that argument won’t be valid. Too much overwhelming evidence to the contrary
But one can make a valid argument that intelligent life exists outside earth
And one can make a valid argument that it does notA LOT of issues are like this [perhaps too many unless you just like arguing]
Enter the draft
It’s basically just one big argument
GMs are making the case for THEIR methodology, for THEIR guys
They’re likely not going to be YOUR methodology or guys, and this is where the endless mocks, big boards, debates and post-mortem dissecting originate
Exhibit A
Last year Poles stayed at #9 and drafted Rome. That was a valid move
It was valid because many graded Rome as a top 3 WR, and sure-fire top-10, even 5, talent [more so than WR Tet McMillan who went #8 overall]. Everyone knew Keenan Allen was just a band-aid, hence WR still a needNevertheless, some favored other prospects like Fashanu, Murphy, Dallas Turner…
Some preferred to trade down and draft [fill in the blank]
Others, like me, wanted the DOUBLE trade-down then nab Graham Barton, C, DukeGuess what?
All were valid plans: staying put, trading down, trading down twice
[What was NOT valid IMO was trading UP for Rome, which Poles almost did since he’s no Howie Roseman]
2015 Butch would’ve been FURIOUS Poles didn’t trade down and draft Graham. Now? Maybe I’ve mellowed, or tuned,-out, but I’m more patient, “OK. I am not as high on Rome as Poles, but I’ll give Rome a shot”
This came from experience. I specifically remember the 2013 NFL Draft
In that draft, Emery drafted Kyle Long at #20. I borderline HATED that pick, and became a nigh insufferable prick about it!
I was SURE my plan to draft Eifert [who many comp Loveland to] or Sharrif Floyd, then scoop Warford later, was the correct plan
IMO Emery was just wrong, and naturally, I the Golden-God and bringer of football light, was right
Well, as it turned out, ALL THREE: Long, Floyd, and Eifert were derailed by INJs
While Warford no doubt was the better OG than Long, and stolen in the 3rd, he didn’t help the Lions win any SBs
In fact, how many SBs did the Bears, Vikings or Lions win after 2013?
ZERO
Maybe in the micro I was a bit more right. Eifert+Warford was likely more optimal than Long+Bostic, but in the macro, it barely registered because the Bears employed Emery as GM, Trestman as HC, and Cutler at QB
Floyd, Eifert, or nearly any prospect, was never going to miraculously make those 3 HOFers
Heck, KC drafted Kelce in the 3rd that year, and it still wasn’t enough ’til MahomesAnd oh yeah, lest we forget, nearly every Bear fan at that time was clamoring for the two ‘lock’ OGs: Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack. Both went Top 10
Both BUSTED. Worse than Long
And let us recall everyone wanting Solomon Thomas in the Trubisky draft
‘Valid’ pertaining to the NFL Draft is scarily relative. In science it may take 100s of years to disprove the sun revolves around earth, but in the NFL your ‘theory’ is proven ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ inside 3-4 years
And if you wrong – you gone
However, it’s about being wrong at QB/HCTruth is, much like in 2013, this 2025 draft is practically superfluous because the REAL determiner of Bears’ success is already in place: Caleb, BJ, and Poles [in that order]
The rest is dross
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Bears Rising: written by guest Reg Michael Blades
After 44 years of fandom, I attended my first in-person Bears game In 2018, purchasing tickets for the Rams-Bears tilt I knew would be both meaningful and cold, after learning of the Khalil Mack trade, a sure sign that these Bears with their visored offensive egghead would climb to the mountaintop once again, while shedding the preposterousness of the recent Trestman and Fox regimes. I had gambled correctly, and the four tickets I got for my son and his Rams-loving friend (and me and his step-mother) climbed steeply on Stubhub as the season moved from autumn to winter and the Rams and Bears appeared on a collision course for Conference supremacy. The week running up to the game, it was flexed to Sunday night, and the forecast called for a brutally cold Chicago December night, prompting whispers from my wife that the $75 dollar tickets could be offloaded for triple their face, and we discussed the possibility of watching from the comfort of our family room in Skokie, warm beneath the throws with cheap(er) drinks in our hands and chili on the stove. The experience was too strong to wave away with comfort. My son commented that this could really be a new Bears team and this game could be a dynasty harbinger; it cemented our resolve to brave the elements and watch the Beloved live and in person beneath the sharp, crisp lights of a winter’s night.
On game day we snowmobile bundled in thickly lined boots and snow pants, layering undershirts and wool sweaters beneath mountain parkas stuffed with “hot hands”, wearing hats that clung to the ears. Driving to the millennium lot beneath Grant Park, we were stuffed in like a bag of cotton balls, shoulders pushing out, cushioned against the doors. Spilling out of the car, we took the long walk through Grant Park sidling along the unshirted yahoos, hatted and gloved and drunk, and as we approached the stadium beneath the tunnel at Roosevelt, the brightly lit Soldier Field rose into the starred sky. I was not regretting the trek nor the cold. The energy for this Bears team felt like 2006 again. I thought back on taking my 4 year old son to the Candlelite on the North side to watch them dispose of the Payton Saints, a clash of offensive creativity and defensive stability, while he ate pizza and became a Bears fan at the same age I became one, wearing the Hester t-shirt jersey I had bought him for the occasion.
I have a few regrets in the 12 years between that game and this, and the situation had shifted from mom to step-mom, but the bond between us felt strong that night. We sat in the South end zone with a view of the action that allowed us to see plays develop across the field, watching Mack stalk Goff with a predator’s rage and hunger, seeing our cagey veteran DC dismantle the boy genius McVay. A deep playoff run was certain; the curtain had risen for this cast of young offensive and defensive stars and a coach who pumped the blood of the new NFL, what Mad Hatter Trestman was supposed to be, and a foil to the checked-out and somnambulistic Fox. The wail of the third down siren and the panicked Goff papered over Trubisky’s 3 interception night; these Bears were real, we thought, and the marching faithful returning to their vehicles chanted “Green Bay Sucks” with the fervor of an armed mob looking to draw, quarter and put to rest any thought that Aaron Rodgers would continue to reign over the NFC North. They ran out that season with defining wins over the Pack, the Niners, and the Vikings, a three game parade over our most hated rivals until coming to a halt in a most Bears way with the belt of history pulling strongly around our coach’s neck, visor unable to hide his incredulous gape, as Staley toppled sideways to the Soldier Field turf.
The next couple of years saw missteps and finger pointing, with Nagy unable to rekindle the pilot light of his vision, and my son, getting older, piled more resentment and anger onto his stepmom and myself, eventually coming back from his first year of college during the autumn of COVID, and deciding to live exclusively with his mother. The strings of that relationship snapped over the next year as did the Bears and Nagy, and more incompetence emerged through 2 ½ years of Eberflus. Eventually the communication between my son and I ceased. I have not spoken with him for 3 and a half years.
With the optimistic hire of a new messiah, and the passing of another Easter without reconciliation and redemption, my hope for the seeds of another draft to sprout and flourish moves lockstep with that same hope for my son and me. Maybe this year we will build something with a rock mantle foundation, with the base to support the winds and storms of passion. All I wish for is a hot bowl of chili, a cold Old Fashioned, and the warmth of an afternoon game next to him and beside my wife, as the Bears march forcefully down the field.
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’25 Draft: Day 3
Bears for now own:
4rth Rd. 7th pick overall [#109] via ‘25 Bills’ trade back
5th Rd. 10th overall [#148] via ‘24 Bills trade for Booker?
6th Rd. None
7th Rd. 17th overall [#233]Honestly, these players rarely provide anything. Who was the last Bears’ 4rth rounder who panned out, Eddie Jackson? Though these RDs aren’t completely useless. Braxton was a 5th rounder, and I’m sure some old fogie will remind us that Dent was an 8th rounder
Since this was a deep HB class, and Bears have yet to draft a HB, the 4rth may be a great RD for value. My pick? Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Though case can be made for other options like Dylan Sampson, Skattebo, et alBelow is USA TODAY’s best available list. Only real hardcore draft dorks will recognize most of these names, so if you do, congrats…and get a life!
—Best Available [RDs 4-7]—
47. Bradyn Swinson, DE, LSU
He hasn’t enjoyed the widespread recognition of some other edge rushers in this draft class, but he deserves a higher profile. The 6-4, 250-pounder is extremely explosive, with the speed-to-power move to jolt offensive linemen when he’s not simply dipping past them.
60. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
63. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
65. Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma
68. Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
70. Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue
75. Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
77. Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
79. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
81. Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (Fla.)
86. Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
90. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
91. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
95. Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
100. Miles Frazier, G, LSU
101. Jared Ivey, DE, Mississippi
102. Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
103. Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
105. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
108. C.J. West, DT, Indiana
109. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
110. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
111. Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
112. Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
113. D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State
116. Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
117. Chris Paul Jr., LB, Mississippi
118. Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
119. Barryn Sorrell, DE, Texas
121. Jalen Rivers, G, Miami (Fla.)
122. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
123. David Walker, DE, Central Arkansas
124. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
125. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
126. Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU
127. Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
130. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
131. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
133. Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
134. Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
135. Cam Jackson, DT, Florida
136. JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi
138. Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
139. Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
140. Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State
141. Craig Woodson, S, Cal
142. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
143. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DE, Georgia
144. Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina
145. Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
146. Chase Lundt, OT, UConn
147. Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State
149. Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
150. Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
151. LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse
152. Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
153. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
154. Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
155. Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M
156. Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
157. Que Robinson, DE/OLB, Alabama
158. Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
159. Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech
160. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
161. Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
162. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
163. Teddye Buchanan, LB, Cal
164. Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
165. Jordan James, RB, Oregon
167. Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
168. Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
169. Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
170. Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska
171. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
172. Fadil Diggs, DE, Syracuse
174. Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
175. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
176. Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
177. Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
178. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
179. Jonah Monheim, C, USC
180. Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
181. Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers
182. Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State
183. Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
184. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (Fla.)
186. Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia
187. Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF
188. Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
189. Joshua Gray, C, Oregon State
190. Kobe King, LB, Penn State
192. Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
193. Shemar James, LB, Florida
194. Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
195. Jah Joyner, DE, Minnesota
196. Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
197. Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
198. Collin Oliver, OLB, Oklahoma State
199. Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
200. Tyler Baron, DE, Miami (Fla.)
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Colston Loveland, Move TE, Michigan
USA Today‘s best available:
6. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The comparisons to Pat Surtain II – the Denver Broncos cornerback and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year – are lofty but not outlandish. The 6-2, 194-pounder puts together the size, fluidity and instincts to handle any coverage assignment. Johnson isn’t a true burner and saw his 2024 season go sideways due to a toe injury, but he otherwise projects as a sticky corner who should have excellent ball production.
13. Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall
The Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks (17 in 2024) employs a far more physical approach than one might expect from a 6-3, 251-pound edge rusher. He risks stalling out if he doesn’t continue to fill out his frame, but his relentless style and elasticity as a rusher should position him to make plenty of plays in the backfield.
22. Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE/OLB, Boston College
After notching 16 ½ sacks last season, Ezeiruaku already seems to have a master’s degree in pass-rushing, as he has a full toolkit of moves he is prepared to wield at just the right moment. His 6-3, 248-pound build still will likely result in him being erased by bigger blockers, particularly in the run game, but he compensates for it by leveraging his length, agility and smarts.
25. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
If not for a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September, he might be firmly entrenched as a first-rounder, as the 6-2, 194-pounder marries an ultra-competitive demeanor at the line of scrimmage with impressive recovery speed and improving ball skills. His health outlook will no doubt loom large in his evaluation, but if he can find the right fit with a defensive coordinator patient enough to bring him along – his style of play might make him prone to early penalties, and there will be a significant leap in quality of competition – he could be a highly productive starter.
28. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Despite operating in a spotlight that might blind other passers, Sanders somehow managed to exceed outsized expectations by establishing himself as a precise and poised distributor. How he handles pressure at the next level could be one of the biggest determining factors in the trajectory of his career, but he could be a more than capable starter for an offense that asks him to conduct more often than create.
30. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
At a time when other receivers shined, his 2024 season ended up quite turbulent, with the dynamic slot target averaging just 11.1 yards per game. Expanding his route tree in the pros could be the key to whether he remains primarily a threat on quick hitters underneath or becomes a more well-rounded target capable of threatening defenses downfield, though he likely will require a heavy dose of schemed touches early on.
36. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
At 6-3 and 220 pounds with the speed of a cornerback, he seems perfectly suited to match up with tight ends and bigger receivers. Emmanwori is a bit wild when working downhill against the run and may lack the fluidity to handle work in the slot, but his excellent ball skills and physical tools should prove plenty alluring to many teams.
37. Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
The LSU transfer is the kind of player any offensive tackle hates to see lining up across from him, as the 6-6, 264-pounder boasts daunting length, an impressive arsenal of pass-rush moves and a never-say-die mentality. Jackson might be too big for his own good, however, as his rigidity severely limits him in several phases of the game.
38. Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi
Test the 6-1, 195-pound cover man at your own peril, as Amos can close in on any throw in his area in a hurry. He’s better suited for zone work than man coverage right now, but he could become a significant asset in press looks if he improves his ability to recover.
39. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Once he gets to the corner, watch out. The 5-10, 202-pounder can’t always fight his way through to daylight on inside runs, but Henderson has the burst to break long gains whenever he’s given a crease. Already a comfortable pass protector and reliable receiver, he should be a three-down option from Day 1.
40. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
The Senior Bowl standout has given evaluators reason to go back and take a closer look at one of the few bright spots in a disappointing season for the Seminoles. The 6-2, 197-pounder has a strong claim to be the premier pest of this defensive class, as he regularly smothers receivers at the line of scrimmage with his length and hyperphysical approach. He might not generate a ton of plays on the ball and won’t be a fit for every scheme, but any team looking for an in-your-face coverage presence has to give him strong consideration.
41. Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
The 6-4, 257-pounder can be a load for any lineman to handle, as he embraces contact with active hands, a high-energy approach and plenty of knowhow. Though his hustle and expansive set of pass-rush moves could take him a good distance, he might not have the upside of other edge rushers in the class given his mostly unremarkable physical traits.
43. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Johnson single-handedly invigorated Iowa’s long dormant offense with his smooth running style, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. The 6-0, 225-pounder is patient yet decisive in his approach, snaking around would-be tacklers to find the open field. His limited comfort level in the passing game – particularly in protection – could box him in somewhat during the early portion of his career.
45. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The walk-on who became an All-American is more than just a feel-good story. Schwesinger’s rapid recognition skills often enable him to find his way to the ball carrier faster than blockers can reach him, though he does have trouble disengaging opponents when they do beat him to the spot.
46. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor has made a name for himself on the other side of the ball, proving to be a fluid pass catcher comfortable operating both in space and in traffic. He’s not as dynamic as this year’s top tier tight ends and is more likely to be a complementary piece than a go-to target, but he can still be a highly effective weapon for the right offense.
47. Bradyn Swinson, DE, LSU
He hasn’t enjoyed the widespread recognition of some other edge rushers in this draft class, but he deserves a higher profile. The 6-4, 250-pounder is extremely explosive, with the speed-to-power move to jolt offensive linemen when he’s not simply dipping past them.
48. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
The appeal of trotting out a 6-4, 214-pound wideout doesn’t require explanation. Higgins poses a major problem in the red zone and contested-catch scenarios, though he might be relegated to a big slot role until he refines his game a little further.
49. JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State
His impact at the next level is likely to be measured more in pressures than sacks, but his disruption still comes in handy. The 6-5, 269-pound Tuimoloau lacks diversity as an edge rusher who relies almost entirely on his ability to push back opposing linemen, but his one trick is plenty good.
50. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
At 6-6 and 331 pounds, Ersery is nimble enough to corral speedy edge threats yet strong enough to lock down anyone who tries to engage him. Things can get dicey when he has to recover or face a counter move, but his tools are worth developing.
51. Tre Harris, WR, Mississippi
53. Princely Umanmielen, DE, Mississippi
54. Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
55. Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
56. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
57. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
58. Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
59. Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona
60. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
61. Jared Wilson, C, Georgia
62. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
63. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
63. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
64. Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon
65. Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma
66. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
67. Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
68. Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
69. Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
70. Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue
71. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
72. T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
73. Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
74. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
75. Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
76. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
77. Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
78. Oluwafemi Oladejo, DE, UCLA
79. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
80. Jack Bech, WR, TCU
81. Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (Fla.)
82. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
83. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (Fla.)
84. Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
85. Nohl Williams, CB, Cal
86. Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
87. Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
88. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
89. Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville
90. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
91. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
92. Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
93. Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State
94. Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia
95. Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
96. Sai’vion Jones, DE, LSU
97. Josaiah Stewart, OLB, Michigan
98. Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon
99. Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
100. Miles Frazier, G, LSU
101. Jared Ivey, DE, Mississippi
102. Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
103. Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
104. Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia
105. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
106. RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
107. Emery Jones Jr., G, LSU
108. C.J. West, DT, Indiana
109. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
110. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
111. Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
112. Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
113. D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State
114. Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
115. Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
116. Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
117. Chris Paul Jr., LB, Mississippi
118. Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
119. Barryn Sorrell, DE, Texas
120. Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
121. Jalen Rivers, G, Miami (Fla.)
122. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
123. David Walker, DE, Central Arkansas
124. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
125. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
126. Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU
127. Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
128. Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane
129. Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas
130. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
131. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
132. Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
133. Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
134. Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
135. Cam Jackson, DT, Florida
136. JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi
137. Savion Williams, WR, TCU
138. Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
139. Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
140. Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State
141. Craig Woodson, S, Cal
142. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
143. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DE, Georgia
144. Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina
145. Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
146. Chase Lundt, OT, UConn
147. Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State
148. Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky
149. Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
150. Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
151. LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse
152. Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
153. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
154. Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
155. Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M
156. Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
157. Que Robinson, DE/OLB, Alabama
158. Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
159. Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech
160. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
161. Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
162. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
163. Teddye Buchanan, LB, Cal
164. Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
165. Jordan James, RB, Oregon
166. Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
167. Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
168. Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
169. Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
170. Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska
171. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
172. Fadil Diggs, DE, Syracuse
173. Caleb Rogers, G, Texas Tech
174. Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
175. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
176. Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
177. Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
178. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
179. Jonah Monheim, C, USC
180. Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
181. Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers
182. Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State
183. Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
184. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (Fla.)
185. Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
186. Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia
187. Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF
188. Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
189. Joshua Gray, C, Oregon State
190. Kobe King, LB, Penn State
191. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
192. Arian Smith, WR, Georgia
193. Shemar James, LB, Florida
194. Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
195. Jah Joyner, DE, Minnesota
196. Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
197. Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
198. Collin Oliver, OLB, Oklahoma State
199. Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
200. Tyler Baron, DE, Miami (Fla.) -
Draft ’25: Day 1 Open Thread
Friendly reminder. Don’t tip picks!
R.I.P. Mongo
… as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know.
-Rumsfeld Buddha Socrates
- Known knowns. Not replacing any time soon
QB, WR1, WR2, C, LE, CB1, Nickle, K/P
That’s about all we THINK we know
- Known Unknowns. Could see upgrading for various reason [age, cap, talent, INJ…]
TE1? HB1? IOL? LT? WR3? SS? FS? RDE? DT? NT? SAM?
Obviously, this list is long, and all those positions could easily get upgraded or solidified; then it just becomes a matter of choosing wisely
- Unknown Unknowns. Wild cards we are blind to
You can dust off your tinfoil hat and create nearly any narrative
-Maybe new regime doesn’t like the effort DJ gave last season, so WR1 is not so ‘known’.
-Maybe they think Stevenson is beyond redemption and CB2 suddenly becomes a priority
-Maybe Braxton is more INJed than let on, etc etcI mean, who predicted Poles would let Walker go and extend Edwards?
Hell, Jeff deemed Gordon a JAG, then Poles made him the highest paid NB!Now expand Unknown Unknowns to nearly every team outside the first 4 picks, and nearly every prospect from 5-50, and voila
Welcome to the ‘25 draft
Little will shock me
Don’t be surprised IF:
1. Jeanty goes before Raiders/or falls to #10
2. Graham makes it to Bears, and they pass
3. Anything about Shadeur. Dart may go first
4. Loveland drafted before Warren
5. Bears ‘reach’ for a player like Simmons
Really, about the only scenario that will upset me is if Poles trades UP [unless it’s for Abdul] cuz the board screams to stay put or trade down, and I don’t know about y’all, but I’m done with Halas Hall believing they’re smarter than the entire league, logic and reality itselfSo for all our sanity, FFS, Poles
STAY THE COURSE
Bear Down.
- Known knowns. Not replacing any time soon