Post by mpbears68 on May 1, 2021 18:46:26 GMT -6
Besides the schedule being released next month, we are about to enter the deadest zone of the NFL offseason. Other than some few low-level FA activity pretty much nothing is gonna happen from now until until training camp starts.
Started this thread to discuss the Bears draft, grade it if you want, bitch about it if you want, whatevs. I'll get the ball rolling.
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As I said to DavidL in another thread, Bears came in to this draft with 2 obvious huge needs--QB and OT. Didn't need a crystal ball to see that, it was clearly obvious. Those two positions represented many years, decades even, of failing and flailing. I can't recall the last time the Bears successfully drafted those two positions, either one of them.
Ryan Pace traded UP in the first 2 rounds to make sure the Bears got the two best players they had a realistic shot at at those two positions. That's how I see it. I'm sure he was well aware at the sneering criticism levelled at HIM and at the organization for its comical misadventures at both spots. They've been abysmally bad. IMO, he saw he had a shot to finally get them both right and he wasn't going to let it pass. I'm sure we will debate forever whether it was worth it or if the cost was too high or if he should have taken someone else, etc, etc, etc.
1st round, #11 pick, JUSTIN FIELDS (QB, Ohio St.)
I for one didn't think we had a snowball's chance at getting him. If Fields succeeds and becomes a franchise QB here, the rest of this draft doesn't matter. It would be a smashing success even if every other player Pace took became a massive bust.
Depending on who you read, Fields was either the #2 or #3 QB in this draft. He's the best QB prospect we have had in my lifetime. I expect Fields will be starting by Halloween at the latest and it wouldn't shock me if it's a heckuva lot earlier than that. The guy is talented and experienced with 3 years under his belt at two elite college programs facing elite competition. Trey Lance on the other hand.....lets just say John Lynch and Shanahan in San Fran better hope Fields busts & Lance pans out or they just got themselves really, really fired.
2nd round, #39 pick, TEVIN JENKINS (OT, Oklahoma St.)
Was almost universally considered a 1st round talent. I think he fell into the high 2nd because there was a big run on WRs and CBs (+ 5 QBs) taken in the 1st. I was upset when Pace first moved up but I admit he proved me wrong. There was a huge run on OTs starting with Jenkins at #39 that ended at #52 will ALL the Tier-2 OTs going right then. Pace got in there in the nick of time to ensure himself the pick of the litter.
This is Massie's replacement at RT Day 1 and a major upgrade there as well. He's a mauler in run blocking so Monty should have more to work with. I suspect the plan is to play him at RT in 2021 and then maybe move him to LT in 2022 to replace Leno. We will see. But anyway, huge boost to the OL and will start immediately.
5th round, #151 pick, LARRY BOROM (OT/G, Missouri)
This pick surprised me at first but soon made sense when you realize Pace wasn't gonna take any chances on Fields not having the OL he needs.
I suspect he will be a healthy scratch/backup for 2021 and then they will see if he fits at RT or G in 2022.
6th round, #217 pick, KHALIL HERBERT (RB, Virginia Tech)
Fast burner RB who gained 7.7 ypc last year, good at shedding tackles like Monty, not much of a receiver or blocker at this point but has return experience and ability*.
He's probably taking over the RB4 role from Nall and Pierce and I expect will be a returner until/unless he improves his pass-blocking skills.
*Edit: In doing more reading on him, I was wrong--he has good hands as a receiver but simply wasn't USED much in a pass-catching role in college.
6th round, #221 pick, DAZZ NEWSOME (WR, North Carolina)
Quick slot WR type who also has return skills.
I think Anthony Miller survives (no one wanted him in trade) one more year and Newsome kicks Wims off the roster finally.
6th round, #228 pick, THOMAS GRAHAM (CB, Oregon)
CB with good ball skills who opted out of 2020 season.
Probably a practice squad stash this year
7th round, #250 pick, KHYIRIS TONGA (DT/NT, BYU)
Depth 2-gap run stuffer 3-4 NT
Probably a practice squad player this year
All in all, a very positive draft by Pace. He's given the organization hope for the future and hope that we can finally field an offense that isn't an NFL embarrassment.
Comments welcome
Started this thread to discuss the Bears draft, grade it if you want, bitch about it if you want, whatevs. I'll get the ball rolling.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I said to DavidL in another thread, Bears came in to this draft with 2 obvious huge needs--QB and OT. Didn't need a crystal ball to see that, it was clearly obvious. Those two positions represented many years, decades even, of failing and flailing. I can't recall the last time the Bears successfully drafted those two positions, either one of them.
Ryan Pace traded UP in the first 2 rounds to make sure the Bears got the two best players they had a realistic shot at at those two positions. That's how I see it. I'm sure he was well aware at the sneering criticism levelled at HIM and at the organization for its comical misadventures at both spots. They've been abysmally bad. IMO, he saw he had a shot to finally get them both right and he wasn't going to let it pass. I'm sure we will debate forever whether it was worth it or if the cost was too high or if he should have taken someone else, etc, etc, etc.
1st round, #11 pick, JUSTIN FIELDS (QB, Ohio St.)
I for one didn't think we had a snowball's chance at getting him. If Fields succeeds and becomes a franchise QB here, the rest of this draft doesn't matter. It would be a smashing success even if every other player Pace took became a massive bust.
Depending on who you read, Fields was either the #2 or #3 QB in this draft. He's the best QB prospect we have had in my lifetime. I expect Fields will be starting by Halloween at the latest and it wouldn't shock me if it's a heckuva lot earlier than that. The guy is talented and experienced with 3 years under his belt at two elite college programs facing elite competition. Trey Lance on the other hand.....lets just say John Lynch and Shanahan in San Fran better hope Fields busts & Lance pans out or they just got themselves really, really fired.
2nd round, #39 pick, TEVIN JENKINS (OT, Oklahoma St.)
Was almost universally considered a 1st round talent. I think he fell into the high 2nd because there was a big run on WRs and CBs (+ 5 QBs) taken in the 1st. I was upset when Pace first moved up but I admit he proved me wrong. There was a huge run on OTs starting with Jenkins at #39 that ended at #52 will ALL the Tier-2 OTs going right then. Pace got in there in the nick of time to ensure himself the pick of the litter.
This is Massie's replacement at RT Day 1 and a major upgrade there as well. He's a mauler in run blocking so Monty should have more to work with. I suspect the plan is to play him at RT in 2021 and then maybe move him to LT in 2022 to replace Leno. We will see. But anyway, huge boost to the OL and will start immediately.
5th round, #151 pick, LARRY BOROM (OT/G, Missouri)
This pick surprised me at first but soon made sense when you realize Pace wasn't gonna take any chances on Fields not having the OL he needs.
I suspect he will be a healthy scratch/backup for 2021 and then they will see if he fits at RT or G in 2022.
6th round, #217 pick, KHALIL HERBERT (RB, Virginia Tech)
Fast burner RB who gained 7.7 ypc last year, good at shedding tackles like Monty, not much of a receiver or blocker at this point but has return experience and ability*.
He's probably taking over the RB4 role from Nall and Pierce and I expect will be a returner until/unless he improves his pass-blocking skills.
*Edit: In doing more reading on him, I was wrong--he has good hands as a receiver but simply wasn't USED much in a pass-catching role in college.
6th round, #221 pick, DAZZ NEWSOME (WR, North Carolina)
Quick slot WR type who also has return skills.
I think Anthony Miller survives (no one wanted him in trade) one more year and Newsome kicks Wims off the roster finally.
6th round, #228 pick, THOMAS GRAHAM (CB, Oregon)
CB with good ball skills who opted out of 2020 season.
Probably a practice squad stash this year
7th round, #250 pick, KHYIRIS TONGA (DT/NT, BYU)
Depth 2-gap run stuffer 3-4 NT
Probably a practice squad player this year
All in all, a very positive draft by Pace. He's given the organization hope for the future and hope that we can finally field an offense that isn't an NFL embarrassment.
Comments welcome