Da Dos

Category: Sports

  • Draft Wrap ’26

    Draft Wrap ’26

    Bears’ draft picks 2026:

    Rd 1, Pick 25: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
    Rd 2, Pick 57: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
    Rd 3, Pick 69: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
    Rd 3, Pick 89: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
    Rd 4, Pick 124: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
    Rd 5, Pick 166: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona St.
    Rd 6, Pick 213: Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech

    UDFA Signings / Invites
    Player, Pos, School

    Beau Gardner LS Georgia
    Caden Barnett G Wyoming [Vanilla Gorilla!]
    Coleman Bennett RB Kennesaw St
    Gabriel Plascencia K SDSU
    Hayden Large TE Iowa
    Jaren Kump C Utah
    Jayden Loving DT Wake Forest
    KC Eziomume CB Tulane
    Mason Murphy OT Auburn
    Miller Moss QB Louisville
    Omari Kelly WR Michigan State
    Skyler Thomas S Oregon State
    Squirrel White WR Florida State

    Tryout Invites
    Dain Walter OT UWL
    Devin Pringle DB UConn
    Jaheim Ward DB Eastern Kentucky
    Josh Kreutz C Illinois
    Terrell Tilmon DE Texas Tech

    SEA ’25 D
    Overall Defensive DVOA: 1st (-24.2%)
    PPG: [1st ]17.2
    YPG: [1st] 267.0
    Pass Defense DVOA: 1st
    Run Defense DVOA: 1st
    Pressure Rate: 3rd (34.2%)
    Takeaways: Tied for 6th (18)


    Bears ’25 D
    Overall Defensive DVOA: 25th (6.1%)
    PPG [23rd] 24.4
    YPG [29th] 361.8
    Pass Defense DVOA: 24th (12.3%)
    Run Defense DVOA: 25th (approx. 10.4% based on 2025 reports)
    Pressure Rate 29th [31.1%]

    Bears’ 25 D sum:

    YPG 361.8 [29th]
    Rush YPG 134.5 [27th]
    Pass YPG 227.2 [22nd]
    PPG 24.4 [23rd]
    Takeways 33 [1st] 23 INTs, 10 FFs
    –Byard 7 INTs, Wright 8TOs, Edmunds 5TOs, Gardner-Johnson 2INTs, 1 FF, Brisker 1 INT.

    TOs, which are notoriously fickle yr-to-yr, were the ONLY factor separating us from laughing stock Ds like Dallas. Bears need to replace approx 24/33 TOs.

    TLDR:

    BJ/Poles declared they were going BPA, and that’s EXACTLY what they did. If they went for need, they would’ve drafted:

    DT Peter Woods [KC drafted him @ 29] or Edge Keldric Faulk [31st]

    Then scooped up S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the 2nd [Browns #58th overall]

    Still landed a C in Jake Slaughter at #60 or doubled-down on Dline with DT Tyler Onyedim or DE Keyron Crawford in same range.

    However, they stuck to their tiers, drafted prospects they deemed best BJ/Allen fits, and called it a day.

    Guess we’ll find out if that translates to more wins. Hey, if all else fails, Bears could win gold in flag football.


  • RD 4-7 Draft ’26

    RD 4-7 Draft ’26

    Round 2, Pick 57:Logan Jones, C, Iowa
    Pro Comparison: Seth McLaughlin
    Summary
    Logan Jones anchored Iowa’s Joe Moore Award–winning offensive line and won the Rimington Trophy after logging more than 2,800 snaps as a four-year starter. He shows good athletic traits and excellent consistency in Iowa’s zone-blocking system. Jones likely projects as a center only at the next level and lacks the ideal size and length the NFL typically covets, despite his stellar college career. He’s a savvy, intelligent player who could thrive in a zone or pin-and-pull scheme.

    About
    2025: Unanimous All-American
    2025: Rimington Trophy winner (nation’s top C)
    Strengths
    Excellent feet and athleticism to reach frontside defenders and cut off backside pursuit; smooth mover in space and to the second level.
    Good initial strike in pass protection with the footwork to mirror, clamp and stone defenders on counters.
    High football IQ, consistently setting protections, identifying the Mike and adjusting the point when needed.
    Weaknesses
    Struggles to move head-up defensive linemen in the run game and anchor consistently against power in pass protection.
    Lacks the ideal size and length [30″ arms] NFL teams prefer; combine measurements will be closely scrutinized.
    Smaller pass-protection sample in a run-heavy offense and has shown occasional issues picking up games and exotic blitzes.
    Combine Data
    40-yard dash: 4.90 seconds [Sub 5].
    Vertical jump: 32 inches
    20-yard shuttle run: 4.59 seconds
    Broad jump: 9 feet, 2 inches
    3-cone drill: 7.46 seconds

    Butch Take: I don’t mind this one [despite the Trex factor]. Bradbury was never the long-term answer and Logan Jones may actually supplant him. Iowa has a fantastic record with Oline and TEs. Seems a bit undersized, but BJ/Rouschar covet nimble Cs, and Jones can make blocks others can’t. It should be noted that other IOL/Cs like Slaughter, Hecht, Zuhn and Lew were frequently graded more highly, but hey, THEY didn’t win the Rimington, and I never trust ‘converted’ Cs. Prefer them to be true centers, and Jones is that. C is also notoriously difficult to judge, so I’m going to have to trust BJ knows WTF he’s doing.


    Round 3, Pick 69 (via Rams): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
    Pro Comparison: Jack Doyle
    Summary
    Sam Roush is a sturdy, reliable tight end who excels as a traditional inline blocker and middle-of-the-field target. A high-achieving student-athlete at Stanford, he has a large catch radius and the strength to run through defenders in the open field. While he may not be the fastest player, his consistent blocking and ability to shield defenders make him a valuable asset in a balanced offense.

    About
    Career: 119 receptions, 1,201 receiving yards, 4 receiving TD
    Family: Two uncles and grandfather played in NFL
    Strengths
    Effective inline blocker who plays bigger than his 250-pound frame.
    Natural hands catcher with a large, reliable catch radius.
    Strong long-strider capable of running through arm tackles in space.
    Weaknesses
    Lacks high-end twitch or explosiveness of elite tight ends.
    Can struggle to create consistent separation against tight man coverage.
    Occasional losses early in reps against highly active edge rushers.
    Combine Data
    40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds
    Bench press: 25 reps
    Vertical jump: 38.5 inches
    20-yard shuttle run: 4.37 seconds
    Broad jump: 10 feet, 6 inches
    3-cone drill: 7.08 seconds

    Butch Take: must admit, this befuddled me. Poles just restructured Kmet. Loveland is obviously TE1, so drafting TE3 at 69 makes lil sense. I can only conclude BJ wanted to make up for Smythe’s 25% snaps [though I read Bears only lined up 8% in 13 personnel. Need to confirm]. Nevertheless, T3 ain’t going to stop Jahmyr Gibbs or sack Jordan Love.

    Round 3, Pick 89: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
    Pro Comparison: Rashid Shaheed
    Summary
    Zavion Thomas is an explosive, versatile playmaker who can line up across the formation or contribute as a dangerous return specialist. He relies on elite short-area quickness and precise footwork to create instant separation against man coverage. While he lacks the size to dominate in jump-ball situations, his ability to reach top speed quickly makes him a constant big-play threat in space.

    About
    2025: 41 receptions, 488 receiving yards, 4 receiving TD
    Career: 1,213 receiving yards, 7 receiving TD, 1 rushing TD, 3 return TD
    Strengths
    Reaches top speed in two steps with elite acceleration.
    Precise route runner with twitchy movement out of breaks.
    Dangerous open-field runner with the ability to stack defenders vertically.
    Weaknesses
    Struggles to win contested-catch battles against larger defenders.
    Lacks the size and play strength to be an effective blocker.
    Difficulty separating on deep routes against physical cornerbacks.
    Combine Data
    40-yard dash: 4.28 seconds
    Vertical jump: 36 inches

    Butch Take: Another offensive weapon! [pun intended]. Honestly, my first reaction? “Great, Velus/Cohen 2.0”
    An apologist can argue that we needed a true ‘gadget’ threat. Someone who can take a jet sweep or return to the house, or back off the safeties with 4.28 ludicrous speed. Heck, some comp him to Tyreek Hill, and he’s somehow related to Sweetness.

    I guess Bears can score 50 a game.

    OT. Sat, RDs 4-7

    Jacob Infante@jacobinfante24
    ·28m
    #Bears GM Poles drafting in RD 3:

    • Velus Jones Jr.
    • Zacch Pickens
    • Kiran Amegadjie
    • Sam Roush
    • Zavion Thomas

    Not even gonna bother with best available. GMs usually go off the rails by RD 4 [some earlier, apparently].

    Only ones I maybe want:

    Edge, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

    DL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

    DT Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss

    So Poles will likely draft a safety, scatback and water boy.

  • RD 3 Draft ’26

    RD 3 Draft ’26

    Best Available

    16. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
    34. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
    45. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
    46. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
    47. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
    49. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
    53. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

    • Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn
    • Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
    • Connor Lew, G, Auburn
    • Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
    • Austin Barber, OT, Florida
    • Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
    • Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
    • Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
    • Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
    • Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
    • Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
    • Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
    • Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
    1. Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech
    2. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
    3. Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
    4. Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
    5. Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
    6. Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
    7. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
    8. Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
    9. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
    10. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
    11. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
    12. Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
    13. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
    14. Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern Louisiana
    15. Markell Bell, OT, Miami
    16. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
    17. Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
    18. Jaiahawn Barham, Edge, Michigan
    19. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
    20. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
    21. Bud Clark, S, TCU
    22. Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
    23. Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
    24. Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
    25. Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
    26. Kyle Louis, Slot, Pittsburgh
    27. Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee
    28. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas

    UPDATE
    Bears Draft @#69, TE Sam Roush, Standford

    He’s athletic, which apparently is enough

  • Welcome Dillon Thieneman! Draft Day 2

    Welcome Dillon Thieneman! Draft Day 2

    We would all prefer Dline, but BPA pointed to drafting the 2nd best Safety.

    It’s entirely possible Poles was eyeing Edge Mesidor or Edge Malachai Lawrence drafted right before Bears at #22 and #23, respectively.

    The Browns decided to draft the 4rth best WR instead of the 2nd best S, which set up S Theineman for Poles on a platter.

    Many assumed he’d be gone by #25. Plenty mocked Vikings taking him at #18, but instead they drafted DT Caleb Banks – a massive DT with bum feet. Lions the pick before predictably drafted a LT in Blake Miller.

    At this point a GM must show his hand. Poles preached “BPA” but Safety happened to also fill a hole. Instead of drafting DT Peter Woods, or Edge Keldric Faulk like the Chiefs and Titans after Bears, Poles selected the consensus best S.

    Courtney Cronin@CourtneyRCronin
    ·2h
    Ryan Poles: “This was the most aggressive we were in terms of the guys that we like.” If a player wasn’t the right scheme fit, didn’t fit their character profile, etc. “then you’re off the board.”

    The Bears feel like they’re in a position to be “very selective of who we want.”

    Poles: “Why mess around with those who don’t fit what we’re trying to do?”

    Of note, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

    DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

    EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

    EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

    Didn’t go in the 1st, so Poles correctly valued the board.

    Dillon is a genetic freak! He blazed a 4.35 [faster than many CBs/WRs]. 9.72 RAS out 10. Vertical jump 94% [who says white men can’t jump!]

    Tape shows he’s not a thumper but sure tackler.

    2025 missed tackle %:
    Thieneman 8.3
    Stukes 10.7
    Downs 11.7
    EMW 15.3
    Scott 20.3

    Larry Mayer@LarryMayer
    ·3h
    With 25th pick in first round of draft, Bears select safety Dillon Thieneman. The 6-foot, 201-pounder appeared in 39 games over three seasons at Purdue (2023-24) and Oregon (2025), registering 8 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 306 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks.

    PFF graded him as the 8th best player out of 914. Comped to Kevin Byard, Jevon Holland or Harrison Smith.

    Productive, athletic and versatile + filling a hole on D. Poles almost HAD to draft Dillon Thieneman. Albeit many of us must still get over our Chris Conte PTSD…

    OT:

    ====Day 2====
    Bears hold the #57 and #60th in the 2nd, and #89th in 3rd.

    Will Poles trade up in day 2? Initially I suspected yes, but after digging through best available, no, I don’t think so. Still TONS of talent left esp on the lines and LB. Like on Day 1, Poles should just let gems fall on his lap.

    For those wondering about trades, Pit shared this :

    Seahawks traded 52 and 82 for 35

    Texans traded 58 and 99 for 48

    Bills traded (to the Bears) 56, 62, and 109 for 41, 72, and 240

    The Rich Hill Chart is what most roughly use

    They can absolutely go up or down, but I feel like they’ll stay or even trade down. Depends on how they tier prospects, but Day 2 is the meat of this draft. Simply scan the list of Lance Zierlein’s best available and circle all the players who could contribute immediately. Bold for prospects who interest me or were linked to Bears. [i]=interviewed/visited

    • 16. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
    • 21. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
    • 22. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
    • 23. WR Denzel Boston, Washington
    • 26. DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State [i]
    • 29. EDGE Zion Young, Missouri [i]
    • 30. EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
    • 31. CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
    • 33. IOL/OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
    • 35. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
    • 36. TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
    • 38. CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
    • 40. WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
    • 42. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
    • 43. WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
    • 44. EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois
    • 45. LB CJ Allen, Georgia
    • 46. LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
    • 47. IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
    • 48. S/NB Keionte Scott, Miami (Fla.)[i]
    • 49. DL Christen Miller, Georgia
    • 51. OT/OG Gennings Dunker, Iowa
    • 53. EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
    • 56. LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
    • 57. WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
    • 59. WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
    • 60. EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
    • 61. EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
    • 62. LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
    • 63. DT Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
    • 64. TE Max Klare, Ohio State
    • 65. CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
    • 66. CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
    • 67. DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
    • 68. RB Mike Washington, Arkansas
    • 69. CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona
    • 70. WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
    • 71. S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
    • 72. WR Skylar Bell, Uconn
    • 73. WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
    • 74. EDGE Keyron Crawford, Auburn
    • 75. CB Keith Abney, Arizona State
    • 76. WR De’Zhang Stribling, Ole Miss [i]
    • 77. WR Chris Bell, Louisville 
    • 78. DT Dominique Big Citrus Orange, Iowas St [i]
    • 79. IOL/C Jake Slaughter, Florida
    • 80. IOL/C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
    • 81. WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma
    • 82. S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
    • 84. OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
    • 85. S Bud Clark, TCU
    • 87. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
    • 88. EDGE Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
    • 89. LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
    • 96. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
    • ==CBS Honorable mentions==
    • 43. IOL Connor Lew, Auburn
    • 49. IOL Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
    • 50. WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
    • 61. S Genesis Smith, Arizona
    • 64. S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
    • 70. CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington
    • 71. DL Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
    • 73. QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State
    • 77. DL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
    • 78. EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech
    • 79. OT Travis Burke, Memphis
    • 80. DL Chris McClellan, Missouri
    • 81. CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
    • 82. CB Jadon Canady, Oregon
    • DT DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
  • Manmas ’26! RD1

    Manmas ’26! RD1

    Draft 2026!

    Matt Miller [correctly guessed Loveland last draft while everyone was picking Dline or TE Tyler Warren]Mock for Bears:

    Initially Peter Woods.

    1. Peter Woods, DE, Clemson.

    Now he’s changed it to OT Caleb Lomu

    Fowler’s intel: Lomu is a popular name in league circles in the back half of Round 1. He is on the radar of the Eagles, Lions, Texans and 49ers, among others.

    Biggsy mocks DE Zion Young
    Fishbain mocks OT Caleb Lomu
    Schrager mocks DE T.J. Parker

    ==The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain== succinctly surveys viable Bear targets using colleague Dane Brugler’s “Beast.”

    Round 1, Pick No. 25

    Positions of need:

    Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (No. 18)— “A durable, versatile safety who could start in almost any coach’s defensive scheme.”

    Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 19)— “Boasts an exciting foundation, but needs his discipline and technique to catch up.”

    Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (No. 23)— “A rangy, wiry safety with impressive speed who may see NFL reps as a rookie.”

    Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (No. 25)— “Needs more strength, technique and grit, but NFL teams are intrigued with his upside.”

    Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami (No. 28)— “A disruptive force and likely three-down starter, despite age and injury concerns.”

    Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (No. 29)— “Has the physical traits, football IQ and toughness that NFL teams will bet on every time.”

    T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson (No. 31)— “Still learning some moves, but offers playmaking potential against both run and pass.”

    Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (No. 32)— “A dominant run defender who will be immediately useful on early downs — if not more.”

    Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (No. 33)— “Fluid athlete for his size, but may need a year of development before being NFL-ready.”

    Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (No. 35)— “An explosive tackle who must improve his consistency at the next level.”

    Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF (No. 36)— “A bit older than teams may like, but a skillful pass rusher and tough against the run.”

    Zion Young, edge, Missouri (No. 37)— “Won’t scare too many NFL tackles, but sets a firm edge and may find a starting role.”

    CBs [gawd help us]

    Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (No. 14)— “Missed 2025 with a torn ACL, but looked like an NFL starter pre-injury.”

    Chris Johnson, San Diego State (No. 24)— “Hyperaware with instinctive eyes; should compete for a starting role on day one.”

    Colton Hood, Tennessee (No. 30)— “A balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers; likely an early starter.”

    ====SIMMs’ Top 5===
    LTs:Tier I

    1. LT Monroe Freeling [Georgia]
    2. OG/RT Mauigoa [Miami]
    3. OT Max Iheanachor [Arizona State]
      Tier II
    4. OT Kadyn Proctor [Bama]
    5. LT/OT Caleb Lomu [Utah]

    DTs:Tier I

    1. Kayden McDonald 6’2, 326 (Ohio State)
      Tier II
    2. Christen Miller 6’0, 310 (Georgia)
    3. Caleb Banks 6’6, 327(Florida)
    4. Domonique Orange 6’2, 325 (Iowa State)
      Tier III
    5. 5.Lee Hunter 6’3, 330 (Texas Tech)

    DEs:

    1. Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
    2. Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami):
    3. David Bailey (Texas Tech):

    DEs Bears can actually draft

    1. Zion Young (Missouri):.
    2. Cashius Howell (Tex A&M) 30″arms

    Popularly mocked to Bears:

    A. Malachi Lawrence, UCF
    B. T.J. Parker, Clemson
    C. Keldric Faulk, Auburn

    Schrager’s [national insider]final Mock

    ==========
    Joel Klatt’s Top 50 [starting at 11 for Bears]

    ==========

    1. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
    2. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
    3. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
    4. WR Omar Cooper, Indiana
    5. OL Spencer Fano, Utah
    6. OG Vega Ioane, Penn State
    7. OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
    8. OT Blake Miller, Clemson
    9. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
    10. EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
    11. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
    12. OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
    13. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
    14. WR Denzel Boston, Washington
    15. EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
    16. EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
    17. DT Caleb Banks, Florida
    18. OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
    19. DT Peter Woods, Clemson
    20. LB CJ Allen, Georgia
    21. WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
    22. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
    23. CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
    24. EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson
    25. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
    26. DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
    27. OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
    28. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
    29. LB Anthony Hill, Texas
    30. LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
    31. EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
    32. EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
    33. RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
    34. WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
    35. S Treydan Stukes, Arizona
    36. CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
    37. EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
    38. CB Keionte Scott, Miami
    39. CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
    40. CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
  • Macro: Team Construction

    Macro: Team Construction

    We’ve been covering the draft specifically, but now I want to pull back and survey the overall landscape. In life we sometimes get so stuck in the minutia, running to and fro the rat race tubes, that we forget to squeeze out and take it all in. Walking the streets of a city differs from viewing the city from a nearby mountain.

    On that note, this vid touches on some of the sentiments I share on overall roster construction in the modern NFL. Modern being the key adjective because sometimes as long time NFL fans, our mentality can freeze in a different era [see, music taste]. We all loved Irish [to varying degrees!], but if his WRs weren’t 6’4, if his DCs weren’t blitzing like a methed-out Buddy Ryan, and if the pundits didn’t actually play, then he wanted no part of them. Or as he would put it, “Be gone!” He also wanted to draft a stud HB in nearly every draft searching for our next Sweetness!

    Well, hate to break it to us Bear fans, but this ain’t 1985! NFL changes seemingly every 4-5 years. Sometimes it’s subtle [i.e. the avg size of ILBs] other times it’s more pronounced [I doubt we’ll ever see a HB going #1 overall ever again].


    I still subscribe to some longstanding NFL truism: building the trenches is #1. My earliest critique on Poles was him building the secondarybefore the lines.

    Poles to his credit DID attempt to fix the Oline at least, he was simply[ironically] TERRIBLE at it. Nate Davis [$30M], Lucas Patrick, Coleman Shelton, Tyler Biadasz, Kiran Amegadjie…Oddly enough, considering Braxton Jones was a 5th RDer, he might be Poles’ greatest ‘gem’ while Wright has proven to be a good pick [but is he a better RT than Carter a DT?]; luckily for Poles, and us, the new crew of BJ/Rouschar seem to be superior in Oline evaluation and development.

    TBC, I didn’t HATE the prospects per se. CB Kyler Gordon [#39], SS Brisker [#48] were startable; I just felt that Poles should focus on the lines FIRST.

    The following draft, Poles selected Wright [over Carter at #10], then DT Gervon Dexter [#53], so he did attempt to build the Dlines, but then he drafted yet another CB Stevenson at #56

    “Statistically CBs get INJed the most, aging nearly as fast as HBs, so unless your SB window is near, they’ll likely be irrelevant by the time you create a contending team. Optimally, you build the trenches then get a top CB still in his prime”

    This sadly applies to Bears. Both Johnson and Gordon were INJed for much of the year while Brisker’s brain became mush. Stevenson seems durable, but BJ benched him for a journey CB Wright. Will Johnson, Gordon and Stevenson remain on the team by the time it makes a real SB push? Doubtful.

    Ergo, BUILD THE TRENCHES.

    Afterwards, add the gravy of a premium CB and HB.

    Naturally with MOFOS far better than Gervon, Pickens or Unmotivated Dayo. However, perhaps the template of wanting ONE Übermensch is outdated

    ‘The last two SB winners didn’t have a 10+ sack player…SEA and Philly just sent waves of big men at you…it’s like hockey where teams just throw line A then sub in a whole new line B. Line B won’t be as great as line A, but it gives the starters much needed rest and makes them more effective overall’

    This trend seems hard to dispute. We all wanted Garrett, Crosby, Hendrickson to a lesser degree, but look what happened to the Puke. Once Micah Parsons went down, their season was basically over. Packers didn’t send waves – they sent one tsunami; their SB dreams dissipated with their tsunami.

    Consequently, Bears should acquire as many [impact] Dlinemen as possible. After fielding a healthy stable, then the finishing touches of Safeties like Nick Emmanwori [35th] or CB Quinyon Mitchell [22nd].

    Spine of team – right down the middle – should exhibit intelligence, character and leadership the closer you get to the middle – Daniel Jeramiah

    This is actually an old trope which used to be racist – just ask Warren Moon [‘QB, C, MLB and S should be white’].

    Thankfully, we have progressed as a society beyond these stereotypes. I’ll put Samurai Mike’s and Mike Brown’s football IQ up against anyone. [Maybe we just need to draft more Mikes!]

    This may also help explain the seemingly befuddling move to extend TJ Edwards. Maybe DeMarco Jackson is way more athletic, but can he line everyone up right? Can he be the general with the green dot?

    Unc Byard was that for the secondary but Poles signed another S with leadership and communication chops in Coby Bryant.

    Losing Dalman at C absolutely hurt, and we can only hope the new guy can at least hold court.

    When I found out Dalman retired

    Obviously the player who must exhibit the most intelligence, communication and leadership is the QB and the arrow is pointing up for Caleb in those departments.

    Still, down the line, Poles will have to address the MLB and C positions, maybe as soon as this week.

    Other NFL axioms exist like about arms, starting experience, ‘don’t draft outliers’ etc but the aforementioned seem more foundational.

    It needs to be said though that NFL teambuilding philos can’t become dogmatic. Plenty of tipping points.

    For instance, even if one professes “Never draft a HB, LB or S in the 1st RD!” if Jeremiyah Love, Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs somehow miraculously slip to #25, Poles will sprint to podium like the Flash. Heck, I can envision Poles drafting WR Carnell Tate or TE Kenyon Sadiq if they’re somehow still on the board regardless of “need.”

    QBs need the three Ps: surround them with the playcaller, playmakers and protection – Jeremiah

    This may be the most vital of all, and it seems the Bears FINALLY have the 3Ps in

    1.BJ
    2.Loveland/Burden/Rome…
    3.Top 5 Oline

    That can go a long way esp if the run and pass rush D get fixed.

    So future looking bright.



  • Simms’ Top 5 Oline

    Simms’ Top 5 Oline

    Back to the draft grind. Coming quick! Covered quite a bit of the positions but now more the big boys on the O.

    Oline is definitely hardest to grade cuz unless you’re a scout or pro, how the heck are you gonna get a hold of college tape of oline? Soon as the ball is snapped, the camera pans to QB, then RB/WR.

    When I used to be more into the draft, a few sites actually compressed entire games/snaps, and a very bored unmarried, childless, Butch, would watch.

    Yet I suspect NCAA/NFL cracked down on many of those sites [think this is how Your Boy Roy ended].

    Olin knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Oline, but IMO, he’s OVERLY optimistic on just about everyone. Off the top of my head, I don’t really recall him criticizing any recent Bear Olinemen, and we had more than a few stinkers.

    It’s just in Olin’s nature. He’s not a Greg Gabriel type willing to call his fellow grinders out. He may, but it’s very subtle, so us Bear fans are REALLY left at the mercy of the paid ‘experts’ when it comes to diagnosing.

    If any regs actually watch college religiously and can diagnose all these prospects, feel free to chime in!

    [Big Mike still around?]

    • Tier I
    • 1. LT Monroe Freeling [Georgia]He’s not falling to the Bears. Next.
    • 2. OG/RT Mauigoa [Miami]. Unless Thuney also retires…Mauigoa can man RT, but Wright ain’t moving to LT. One stat I found interesting is that 1st rd OGs are relatively safe. About 70% ‘success’ rate while WR hit rate hovers around 40%.
    • 3. OT Max Iheanachor [Arizona State]. “I’m not sure if he doesn’t have the potential to be the best one of all….16-32 range” – Simms. This is a prospect that has seemingly shot out of nowhere; some may even be shocked he’s graded this highly. He’s from Nigeria, mostly played basketball and soccer then transferred to the same local community college I attended when I nearly flunked out of school! East Los Angeles College [ELAC]. And yes, it’s exactly how you may imagine, so for Max to climb this far – inspiring.
      Lacks the polish/mechanics, but flaunts the raw body, power, and athleticism which Poles loves. As with most ‘raw’ linemen who came to football late – he’s a gamble. Remember, Kyle Long, a physical freak with NFL genetics, had to kick inside because he couldn’t handle LT/RT.
    • Tier II
    • 4. OT Kadyn Proctor [Bama]. He’s def a popular mock to Bears at #25 ‘He’s not an athlete like the previous – not going to pull, sometimes stops feet, punch not great. High ceiling/low floor. Not a 1st RDer. Mid second‘ Simms. I just don’t know if he’s a system fit. Seems more equipped for one gap power. Poles specifically likes athletic LTs. Both Kiran and Braxton can move even getting to the second lvl; however, BJ/Rouschar may not mind more lumbering oafs who can, ya know, destroy the person in front of them. Trapilo isn’t exactly a dancing bear.
    • 5. LT/OT Caleb Lomu [Utah]. ‘Opposite of Proctor. Great feet. Questionable power. Sometimes plays too tall. Lacks the anchor and the ass. Not a 1st RDer. Top 45ish’ – Simms
    • IOL:
    • TIER I
    • 1. Emmanuel Pregnon [Oregon]. ‘Blocking for him isn’t adequate. He wants to drive you into the dirt. Square. Strong Arms. Twitchy. 10-20ish’ -Simms. Could be a sneaky Poles’ pick if he falls to 25.
    • TIER II
    • 2. Keylan Rutledge [Georgia Tech]’Physical. Plays beyond the whistle. Over aggressive. Athletic enough. They run in Georgia’ -Simms [20-30 range]
    • 3. Vega Ioane [Penn St]’20-30. Best pass pro. Incredible anchor. Feet. Run game must improved.’ – Simms
    • TIER III
    • 4. Spencer Fano [Utah]. ‘Looks more like an OG than an OT. Anchor and footwork won’t cut it at OT. Arms short, but wingspan is bigger than Will Campbell. Athletic but not aggressive. End of 1st RD’ – Simms Only interest I’d have in Fano is at C where some coaches tested him.
    • 5. C Jake Slaughter [Florida]. Mocked frequently in 4rth. Connor Lew [Auburn], Sam Hecht [Kansas St], Logan Jones[Iowa] all clumped together. ‘Slaughter not overwhelming, but doesn’t make mistakes. More of a zone blocker Mid 2nd RDer. Center is the hardest for me to evaluate.’ – Simms
    • If Poles/BJ is looking for more than just a band aid at C, then these bigguns absolutely in play. I see Slaughter to the Bears in tons of simulations, some Hecht as ‘sleeper,’ and TBH, I don’t have the time to watch the tape of the others!

      And with that…time to finish off my Red Bush!
  • NFL’s Big Stick

    NFL’s Big Stick

    Reg piece via GP

    The NFL’s Leverage: How They Can Actually Threaten McCaskeys

    1. Relocation Vote — The Nuclear Option

    Under the NFL’s relocation policy (last formalized after the Raiders/Rams/Chargers moves), a team cannot relocate without a 3/4 owner vote — 24 of 32 owners must approve. The league could simply tell the Bears: “We will whip the votes against you.” The McCaskeys know how this played out when Oakland and San Diego tried to block the Raiders and Chargers — owners are notoriously unsympathetic to teams that didn’t “exhaust local options.” The NFL could credibly argue the Bears haven’t done that, given Illinois keeps putting offers on the table.

    1. The Relocation Fee

    When the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers moved, they paid relocation fees in the range of $550M–$650M each. The NFL could signal they intend to impose a maximum fee — potentially north of a billion dollars given the Bears’ market size. Chicago is the #3 market in the country. Losing the Bears to Indiana (technically still the Chicagoland area, but still) would set a wildly destabilizing precedent. The fee alone could crater the financial math of the Hammond deal.

    1. Stripping Marquee Events

    The NFL controls Super Bowl bids, Pro Bowls, and Draft locations. A new Bears stadium is essentially being built around hosting Super Bowls and Final Fours — it’s core to Kevin Warren’s whole pitch. The league could quietly signal that a Hammond stadium, built partly as leverage against Illinois rather than through good-faith negotiation, won’t be in the Super Bowl rotation for years. That wrecks the revenue projections in the financing model.

    1. “Chicago Bears” Name/Brand — The Soft Threat

    This one is rarely discussed but has teeth: the NFL could raise the question of whether a team that moves to Hammond, Indiana can still be called the “Chicago Bears.” Technically the NFL controls the franchise, and while it’s never been fully litigated, the league pressured the Raiders to eventually return to Oakland branding history and the Chargers faced enormous blowback keeping “Los Angeles.” It’s unlikely to be a hard block, but the league could make the Bears’ identity in Indiana murky and uncomfortable — and the McCaskeys know the “Chicago Bears” brand is worth enormous amounts.

    1. Scheduling Disadvantages / Primetime Leverage

    Less formal but real — the NFL controls primetime slots. A team that just burned its #3 market on a controversial state-line hop could find itself getting far fewer Sunday/Monday night games. That’s TV revenue. It’s petty but it’s real.

    1. “Exhaust Local Options” Requirement

    The NFL’s relocation guidelines explicitly require teams to demonstrate they’ve made a good-faith effort to reach a stadium solution in their current market before the league will approve a move. The NFL could argue the Bears short-circuited the Illinois process — Illinois was reportedly close to a deal and the Bears themselves asked Springfield to pause the hearing on the megaproject bill to “tweak” it. If the Bears killed their own deal, the NFL has cover to say the good-faith standard wasn’t met.

    OT: Stadium Update

    State representative Kam Buckner, who has been spearheading negotiations on the stadium issues, joined 104.3 The Score’s Mully & Haugh on Friday to discuss the stadium bill, and he believes a resolution is going to come quickly. “As the old church folks used to say, ‘Soon and very soon,’” Buckner said when asked about a possible deadline. “I don’t know exactly when we’re going to get this done, but listen, when I say we’re on the punch list stuff, we are there. We got another day here in Springfield where we’re going to hammer some other things out. Next week is a big week for us…I think we’ll have some good news in short order.”

  • Simms’ Top 5 DTs

    Simms’ Top 5 DTs

    I like Chris Simms’ NFL breakdowns. They’re a nice blend of meathead and draftbabble [“Oily hips”]. It may help that he’s the son of a good NFL QB, and he himself was a starting QB in the NFL, so he’s steeped in football. He’s literally lived it since childhood, through pop warner, HS, college, then NFL.

    Simms also talks about perhaps the more unsavory details – bubble butts, guts and nuts! and isn’t afraid to go out on a limb. Is he 100% accurate? Of course not – none in the NFL draft biz are, but his top 5s are worth a listen.

    I also like his ‘tiers‘ as they put the players in perspective, and makes it easier to cross-check with his previous draft analysis. For example, just because a prospect is #2, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s in the same area code as #1. Ty Simpson might be #2, but he’s not getting drafted #2 overall behind Mendoza [may not even get drafted in the 1st RD].

    Since I posted on DTs before his actual survey, here it is again in its entirety.

    Tier 1
    1. Kayden McDonald 6’2, 326 (Ohio State)
    Tier 2
    2. Christen Miller 6’0, 310 (Georgia)
    3. Caleb Banks 6’6, 327(Florida)
    4. Domonique Orange 6’2, 325 (Iowa State)
    Tier 3
    5.Lee Hunter 6’3, 330 (Texas Tech)

    As one can see, they are BIG – not the traditional 3Ts Allen previously prefers. Will he change his MO? Dunno. He does like versality. Shemar Turner [6’3, 290] for instance may end up at DE despite being drafted as a DT. One thing these DTs have going for them is that they seem to be able to stop the run, and that’s Allen’s #1 priority. He wasn’t afraid to play Billings [albeit, they let him walk for a reason], so MAYBE these bubble-butts can replace that hole.

    “They are run-stoppers PLUS.” – Simms

    Also of note is that Simms doesn’t put Peter Woods in his top 5 [projects he’ll fall out of 1st. Mel Kiper mocked Woods going #19 to Chargers].

    He is CRAZY high on McDonald [who is frequently mocked to Bears at #25]. ‘He’s between Jaylen Carter and Kenneth Grant. A top 12-10 player who is more than simply run stuffer.’

    Carter went #9 and Grant #12, so either Simms is overrating McDonald, or the rest of the Draftniks are underrating him thinking he’ll fall to the 20s and beyond.


    2. On Miller, “Athletic enough to play 3T like McDonald…Plays hard.”
    3. On Banks, “If his feet were healthy, he”d be Chris Jones-esque”
    4. On Big Citrus, “Explosive. Quicks, twitch, power. Incredible balance.”
    5. On “the Fridge” Hunter, “Doesn’t pop, but disruptive and immovable vs double teams.”

    Dominique “Big Citrus” Orange seems like an intriguing option if Poles passes on DT at #25.

  • Draft ’26: DTs

    Draft ’26: DTs

    Tom Dahlin/Getty Images

    DT IMO is a bigger need than DE. One may argue that Sweat is good bordering on AP. Last season Hendrickson had 4 sacks in 4 games then was out. Crosby had 10 sacks in 15 games then was out. In the NFCN Hutchinson had 14.5 sacks; Parsons had 12.5 in 14 games.

    Sweat had 10 sacks in 17 games while holding up vs run.

    Now, he’s not in the S-tier, but 10 sacks ain’t shabby.

    Austin Booker looks great at times, though he definitely needs to clean up his run d.

    Neither are premium, but they’re not terrible.

    However, at DT, do the Bears roster anyone with the production of Sweat or the upside of Booker?

    Grady Jarrett looked old and INJed. Gervon Dexter is wildly inconsistent and may not even get a 2nd contract. Shemar Turner was the only DT who showed promise, but he seemed more effective at DE and is coming off an INJ. The rest are JAGs.

    In addition, Allen’s philo is to stop the run by setting the edges while having 3Ts disrupt the inside. Once the O can’t run and needs to throw, then he gets exotic with his blitzes and packages.

    But if Allen has DEs who can’t set the edge, nor 3Ts to disrupt the QB – well – we get the ’25 D which would’ve been almost Dallas awful if not for the TOs [never forget the 9ers just dicing them up at will].

    The problem is that great DTs are even harder to come by than great DEs since teams know their value.

    Poles understandably couldn’t get one in FA. Some speculate that Giant’s Dexter Lawrence could still be target – but one must wonder if his down year is an anomaly or a trend. It’s not as if the Gmen are broke – why aren’t they extending him if he’s so good?

    Philly may unload Jalen Carter as well, but if Poles passed on him the 1st time around, hard to imagine he’s going to trade for PLUS pay him now.

    It gets worse for Bears as this draft class is filled with iffy DTs, none more controversial than Peter Woods. Then other DTs like Kayden McDonald [6’2, 326], Christen Miller [6’4, 321] and Caleb Banks [6’6, 327] aren’t exactly pass rushers, nor fit the Allen 3T mold. Would Allen change his MO for the biggens?

    All of which leaves the Bears in a somewhat tricky DT situation which will take some skill and luck to solve.

    Here’s a good take on the DT class.


    Chris Simms will anaylyze his Top 5 DTs Monday morning.