“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 not

A 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 need

Nevertheless, 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, Duke

Guess 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 Mahomes

And 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/HC

Truth 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