Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is gaining a lot of buzz. Some even grade him ahead of Oregon Duck [S] Dillon Thieneman.
“EMW” is yuge. Nearly 6’4. 200+ Forced 9 fumbles [Peanut Punch!]. Plays deep. In the box. Ran a 4.52. Rangy. Can cover TEs. The obvious comp is Kam Chancellor.
Naturally, I’d prefer Dline.
This class is deep at Corner and Edge, but a Cover Corner only eliminates ONE WR; a pass rush eliminates ALL of them – Trey Wingo
Once more this comes down to the forever debate of need-v-BPA.
Who improves the Bears more? an Alex Brown DE or a Kam at S?
Some talk about the Bears trading back esp if a prospect like DE Zion Young falls. Young is graded by many in the the 40s, so drafting him at #25 may not be maximizing value. As such, a trade down could be viable.
In the ’25 draft, The Texans traded back, and this is what it looked like:
In exchange for No. 25 overall, Houston will receive No. 34 in the second round, No. 99 in the third round, and a 2026 third-round pick.
I don’t know if QB Ty Simpson will tempt a team to move up, but needless to say, I’d be for it. If picks 25-45 are roughly equal, may as well get more picks.
I’ll try to relay the prospects most mocked to the Bears. Zion Young is definitely #1. Makes sense. Bears need Dline, specifically Edge ’cause Motivated or not, Dayo ain’t it while Austin frequently gets washed out on run plays [the 9ers abused him].
Enter a 6’6 262 Edge Setter in Young.
Gotta be honest – his tape didn’t wow me. He looks like a less explosive Leonard Floyd. Appears a lil light in the pants. Plays too high. Doesn’t exactly bend like Von Miller. Hands aren’t violent. Arm length decent. His RAS accurately reflects him. Functional. All this would be fine if Young punched like Mike Tyson or was Colossus-strong like Jared Verse, but he seems like an above avg DE known more for setting the edge than attacking the QB. Don’t we already have two of those? I do like that he plays with an attitude. Here’s a quick 2min run down:
Here’s Eric Edholm, lead Draft writer at NFL.com, breaking down Young. He compares him to Sweat, but Sweat was a RAS monster, so if this is Sweat-lite…
Albeit, I do agree with Edholm. I doubt the Bears could draft him in the 2nd, so if BJ/Poles want to get more turns at the roulette table, I’d rather trade down to draft Young. He’s a high-floor prospect, but Big Balls BJ doesn’t exactly “settle” while Poles is obsessed with 34″+ Arms and 9.5+ RAS. I could see Bears’ brass taking a swing at a higher upside prospects like OT Kadyn Proctor, S Dillon Thieneman, DT Kayden McDonald, DT Peter Woods, or even a chad like LB Jacob Rodriquez.
Joe Klatt ranks Zion Young as his 42nd overall player on his top 50 board which is more or less where I would take him; obviously need may drive his value higher.
Don’t know why, but the combine really snuck up this year. I had a few ideas for pieces, but it came and went quickly. Then moving to Indiana and Dalman retiring [NTM the U.S. launching another Middle Eastern War].
Likely a combo of factors. Bears for once weren’t irrelevant by Thanksgiving, even winning the division and a playoff game. So the season was actually longer. Must’ve thrown off my circadian Bears’ rhythm conditioned to suckage and checking mock drafts in November.
It’s also a little hard to get super-hyped over this draft because.
1. It’s more than likely Poles trades away the 1st [+ change] rd pick.
2. Even if Poles keeps it, it’s still the 25th. Not complaining. Better than the alternative of perennially drafting in the top 10.
But mostly it’s reason #1 that’s keeping me from getting truly invested though that will change as we near April.
As such, I’ll let Unbearble Sports breakdown the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ from the combine.
Two quick Butch notes.
I know Bears desperately need Dline, but man, if Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles miraculously drops to #25, Poles needs to waddle his ass to the podium.
Styles recorded a blistering 4.46-second 40-, a 43.5-inch vert, and an 11-foot-2 inch broad jump at 6’5″, 244 lbs.
Sonny Styles RAS.
Ranked #1 linebacker graded out of 3215 since 1987.
I must admit I haven’t watched the other Buckeye’s tape because he keeps shooting up the boards, but if Safety Caleb Downs also somehow tumbles to #25, I’d have no issue with Poles pulling the trigger. It’s a copy-cat league, and many just witnessed what a rookie S in SEA named Nick Emmanwori can do. SEA didn’t exactly have the ’85 Bears pass-rush, but they rostered exceptional talent all through the “Darkside.”
Nick Emmanwori is a SS prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 10.00 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 1079 SS from 1987 to 2025.
Kyle Hamilton on the Ravens is another example of how a versatile S can impact games.
I doubt Caleb Downs’ RAS will surpass theirs, but from most ‘experts’, he’s the goods.
Caleb Downs (6’0 205) Ohio State
+ Coach on the field/film junkie + 89.6 coverage grade in 2025 + 83.7 run defense grade in 2025 + Has just under 2,500 snaps in only three years in college + Physical in run support + Special teams’ experience including as a punt returner +… pic.twitter.com/mtT1VFKcSl
That’s not a shabby exchange actually. DJ’s production didn’t match his contract, and it dropped mostly because of circumstance.
Under Ben Johnson, the Bears are a run-first team. Feeding Swift-Monangai tandem ate a lot of snaps. Then the acquisitions of Rome, Burden and Loveland siphoned away more targets [let’s not forget that Kmet is also still on the team].
I mean, if Flus was still HC, and if Fields is still the QB with DJ as his lone target, then DJ is a 100 catch/1200+ WR [if he stays upright]. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case, and now he can be the true #1 or #2 target on the Bills while the Bears can use that extra 2nd rounder for a Center, LT, S, LB, or even to sweeten the pot for a DE/DT via trade.
Here are the #Bears' updated draft picks in 2026 after the DJ Moore trade:
It’s waaaaay too early for mock drafts, but here we are! Unlike Jeff, I do not view them as ‘slave auctions.’
I think they’re quite entertaining and excellent ‘filler’ post-SB.
No, I am not entirely comfortable with strange old men measuring young athletes like a slab of meat, but if someone is willing to throw me millions to measure my arms and run, jump and bench in spandex, sign me up.
Kiper, aka Legohead, was the OG. He’s probably over the hill, but hey, time makes us all fat Elvis. There’s a lot of Draftniks out there, but Joel Klatt eats, drinks and breaths college football year round. He’s a maniac, and doesn’t do ‘hot takes’ for hits.
Spoiler alert, he has Bears drafting DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio St @ #25. I don’t know much about McDonald, but I DO love selecting a DT since I still believe that’s the Bears’ biggest need. The sooner the Eberflus leftovers are gone, the better [and Jarrett didn’t exactly wow either]. Debating who the Bears should draft at #25 is almost useless at this point though since everyone believes Poles is trading it for an Edge.
Speaking of which, Harrison Graham discusses the price [via insider] which Maxx Crosby might take.
Long story short.
Bargain cost: #25 + DJ Moore
Expensive cost: Two 1sts, another 2nd/3rd + DJ Moore
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.
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 —————— 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. 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. ——-
Tyler 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
“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]
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 al
Below 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.
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.
… 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 etc
I 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 itself
