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Tag: Safety

  • 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
  • Safety:Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

    Safety:Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

    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.