Da Dos

Tag: DT

  • 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
  • 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.

  • Trade Deadline ’25

    Trade Deadline ’25


    Deadline: Tues, 4:00 PM ET
    Bears’ current cap space: $6.7M

    Poles’ 3rd RDers: Velus Jones Jr. (2022), Zacch Pickens (2023), and Kiran Amegadjie (2024)

    It’s no secret the Bears are hunting for Dline and CB, especially since Dayo Odeyingbo has torn his achilles [again]. For me, achilles is worse than an ACL/MCL, etc.

    It can sometimes take two seasons to regain the same explosion. Dayo isn’t getting any younger, and it’s not as if he was Lawrence Taylor to start with. Hard to envision this ending any better than the Claypool fiasco.

    There’s too many trade targets to name. So here’s some possible options.


    Bears EDGE trade targets:

    Trey Hendrickson (CIN)
    Danielle Hunter (HOU)
    Jermaine Johnson (NYJ)
    Kayvon Thibodeaux (NYG)
    Bradley Chubb (MIA)
    Josh Sweat (ARZ)

    No clue if J. Sweat even available, but he looked great on MNF

    DTs:

    [You really trust Jarrett or Billings? Dexter, like Shemar, can spell Booker/DomRob though I understand if Poles prioritizes DE]

    Jeffery Simmons (Titans) Supposedly had a short list he OKed. Washington was one of those teams, but now that Jayden Daniels is out, I wonder if he’d pencil in Chicago…

    Quinnen Williams (Jets)

    Mazi Smith (Cowboys)
    Dre’Mont Jones (Seahawks)[now a Raven]

    CBs:

    [CJ Gardner-Johnson did ok. Gordon eventually set to return. Maybe JJ later]

    Riq Woolen (Seahawks)
    Alontae Taylor (Saints)
    Cam Taylor-Britt (Bengals)
    Rasul Douglas (Dolphins)

    HBs:[No longer such a high-priority]

    Breece Hall (Jets)

    Devon Achane (Dolphins)

    Jerome Ford (Browns)

  • Bears NEED Jeffery Simmons

    Bears NEED Jeffery Simmons

    Here are the next 5 Bear opponents:

    Saints
    @Ravens
    Burrow-less Bengals
    Giants
    @JJ? Vikings

    Bears are 3-2, only one game behind the Puke in the NFCN.

    It is entirely possible the Bears could go 4-1 in the next five games with a 7-3 record at minimum sniffing a WC.

    Yes, the Bears’ Dline did perform much better vs WASH, but they still allowed 4.0 ypc, and it may have been more if it hadn’t been for playing with a lead for most of the game.

    Also, Ben Johnson can’t rely on +3 TOs every game going forward. As Olin Kreutz correctly assessed, ‘You’re not forcing 11 TOs in 3 games like on this streak.’ That’s not a sustainable formula for success.

    A reliable formula for success? A studly Dline, or at the very least, a mediocre one.

    DT Jeffery Simmons could raise all battle ships.

    Since Bears played Mon, I had Sunday free to peruse. I flipped to the Raider game specifically to scout Jeffery Simmons.

    Holy Moly.

    I admit, I didn’t even know where he was on the field since I don’t watch much Titans’ football. But it took me about 3 seconds to spot him. He’s hard to miss. He’s the type of monster you want stepping off the bus first when visiting an opponent. He looked like JJ Watt.

    More importantly, he PLAYED like JJ Watt. On the very first series vs Raiders Simmons stuffed Jeanty twice, then sacked Geno despite the double team. He’s strong, fast, mean, and YUGE.
    The Titans’ DC seemed to line him up at 3T when he anticipated pass, then moved him to 1T to gobble-up doubles vs run.

    Honestly, it doesn’t take long to recognize greatness with the right eye. I mean, how long would you have to watch Sweetness, Butkus or Hester to determine they’re fucking awesome? It only takes one Picasso painting to gasp, “Wow.”

    Simmons hovers close to that tier. Much closer than Billings, Dexter, Turner, et al, at least.

    The Titans’ season is lost. They just fired their HC Brian Callahan and are basically tanking. They’re really about 3 yrs away [minimum] from making a serious SB push. Simmons is 28. Do they really expect he’ll fit that window?

    Trading for Simmons seems realistic for both parties. I would trade a 2nd for him given that Bears still have to take on his contract. Titans could use that 2nd to bolster their oline or weapons for Cameron Ward who should be their #1 priority.

    If Titans play hard-ball, demanding a 1st, MAYBE I’d throw in DJ Moore, but I’d have to get like a 4rth back in that scenario. They may want Moore. A tough savvy vet to help their fledging rookie franchise QB while the Bears need to clear cap for Simmons anyways.

    This would also mean more Luther Burden.

    Braxton Jones may also be in play, albeit I’d be more weary about trading away Oline given attrition. The Chiefs are paying a swing OT $15M/y. That’s how pivotal those OTs might be now; nevertheless, let’s be real. I doubt we’re paying Braxton next year.

    Feels like this trade makes too much.

    I also don’t trust Ryan Poles to actually DRAFT an elite linemen, so we’re back to Jerry Angelo copium.

    Football is an arm’s race. USSR launched Sputnik. U.S. blasted off to the moon. The other Evil Empire snatched Micah Parsons. Time for Bears to counter with Simmons. Imagine him destroying Love, Rodgers, Monty/Gibbs…

    Here’s Olin Kreutz breaking down the Bears-v-Commanders:

    Cliffnotes:

    1. Thinks coaches during bye simplified playbook.

    2 . Blocking, specifically combo blockings, looked much crisper resulting in better running.

    3. On run-stopping, maybe moving Shemar Turner to DE and Gervon Dexter to 3T helped.

    4. TJ Edwards back may have bolstered entire D. He may not be the fleetest of foot, but his mind is agile, and perhaps he aligned everyone correctly, making them play faster and more aggressively, especially Tremaine Edmunds.

    Olin, ‘I played against those MIKEs. They’re the worst. Sometimes they call out the play we’re running, and we know we’re going to have to move them off their spot’

    MISC…

    Finally, new Olympic sports I can get behind, literally!

  • Camp Took a Bad Turner

    Camp Took a Bad Turner

    Padded practices are here, but unfortunately whatever rosy reports we’re getting has been somewhat dimmed by the news that Shemar Turner, the Bears’ 62nd overall pick, severely injured his ankle and is out for a minimum of a month.

    That’s a bummer since many like myself had high hopes for his rookie campaign. Heck, Greg Gabriel comped him to Tommie Harris!

    Won’t be T-Harris on one ankle, and ankles are notoriously easy to re-injure especially if rushed back.

    I had a friend who seemed to sprain his ankle every other month once he suffered his first severe sprain. I’m no Dr., but from my experience they seem to work like concussions or shoulders popping out. After that first major one, it seems much easier to reaggravate going forward.

    I’m not so certain where this leaves the Bears at DT. They aren’t exactly thin, but Andrew Billings is big, 30, and coming off an injured ’24 season. If he or Grady Jarrett go down, we’ll be seeing way more of Zach Pickens or the immortal Chris Williams in the mix.

    Last week I would’ve bet Pickens wouldn’t even make the cut. Now? Not so sure.

    Maybe Christian Wilkins, freak or not, becomes more of an option.

    I mean, Charles Haley used to jerk off in the locker room and meetings while talking about teammate wives!

    What’s a little Wilkins’ forehead kissing from time to time?

    [Guess we should ask WHICH head Wilkins was trying to kiss though…nttawwt]

    In other news, here’s Greg Gabriel’s in-depth breakdown of padded practices.

    Transcribing or even summing up would take too much writing, but Gabriel basically echoed what I wrote yesterday.

    Don’t get too carried away by the micro.

    For instance, we heard over the weekend that Montez Sweat came in practically untouched.

    Oh oh, time to worry about Darnell Wright!

    Then later it was reported that was by design.

    Oh, NVM!

    A lot of times the coaches are making it harder than it might otherwise be. It’s like Maverick hitting Mach-10 then pushing it. Sometimes gotta crash and burn to find out where the limits are.

    That’s what summer practices are for.

    Other tidbits.

    1. Vets tend to pace themselves in July. Roberto Garza was an infamous ‘pacer’. He asked Lovie once, ‘You want me to last 16 games? During the season is when I’ll give it all’

    2. Gabriel seems to think that Kiran Amegadjie won’t make a good OG. ‘He’s got 36+” arms. In my experience, olinemen with arms that long tend to struggle inside. It’s that much harder to get their arms up in a split second’

    3. Thinks Austin Booker’s frame is a bit too slim, and deep dish ain’t going to change that.

    4. Georgie ain’t bringing back the Honey Bears; however, the obscure trivia I didn’t know?

    Apparently the Bills would only hire cheerleaders [the Jills] who were married!

    I guess the logic was – cut down on player hanky panky.

    That’s funny.

    If you prefer a quick concise Bears’ update, view this one instead.

    Tweet of the day:

    RIP