Just as an aside...cause I know the PJJ love is at a high right now. If he was this sure thing, no brainer, stud left tackle...why would he be available at 9?
Ooo....Ooo, I know, I know.. Call on me. LOL
More than likely due to 4 QBs and maybe twice that many QB hungry teams pushing him down a bit plus guys like Anderson, Carter (possibly), Skoronski, Wilson. At any rate Dane Brugler has him spotted at #9 as the 9th best player in the draft so it fits.
He's not the single best LT to ever be available but he's good enough to be a fit for the Bears if he's who Poles wants to draft. JMHO of course.
EDIT: In addition my thinking is that while even highly drafted players can fail when drafted by the wrong teams playing systems in which they don't fit I don't see much chance of that with PJJ. He fits and with the current coaching staff and the culture the Bears have now he should work out just fine.
I agree. I was just trying to point out that this is a player with some flaws as well. If he weren't he'd be a lock for the top 5, as there are teams who have o-line needs up there as well who might opt for a tackle over a question mark at QB.
Just as an aside...cause I know the PJJ love is at a high right now. If he was this sure thing, no brainer, stud left tackle...why would he be available at 9?
He may not be, Butkus. He may go in that #5-8 range. Depends on how many QBs go early...2? 3? All 4?
Does Carter get drafted top-8? What about the CBs?
PJJ is my #1 target FRP for the Bears but I'm maybe 50-50 on whether he will still be on the board at #9.
Just as an aside...cause I know the PJJ love is at a high right now. If he was this sure thing, no brainer, stud left tackle...why would he be available at 9?
He may not be, Butkus. He may go in that #5-8 range. Depends on how many QBs go early...2? 3? All 4?
Does Carter get drafted top-8? What about the CBs?
PJJ is my #1 target FRP for the Bears but I'm maybe 50-50 on whether he will still be on the board at #9.
I think he'll be there because QB's generally always go early and there's enough teams early that need one, there are two corners that look like they can be studs and the edge rushers are much better than the tackles in this class.
He may not be, Butkus. He may go in that #5-8 range. Depends on how many QBs go early...2? 3? All 4?
Does Carter get drafted top-8? What about the CBs?
PJJ is my #1 target FRP for the Bears but I'm maybe 50-50 on whether he will still be on the board at #9.
I think he'll be there because QB's generally always go early and there's enough teams early that need one, there are two corners that look like they can be studs and the edge rushers are much better than the tackles in this class.
4 QBs, Anderson, Carter, Wilson, Gonzalez. That adds up to 8. I am confident that Johnson will be there at #9. Few mocks have him going earlier. It’s even possible that Skoronski is first tackle drafted.
I think he'll be there because QB's generally always go early and there's enough teams early that need one, there are two corners that look like they can be studs and the edge rushers are much better than the tackles in this class.
4 QBs, Anderson, Carter, Wilson, Gonzalez. That adds up to 8. I am confident that Johnson will be there at #9. Few mocks have him going earlier. It’s even possible that Skoronski is first tackle drafted.
According to a lot of people who study these things Skoronski has the best tape of all the tackles...short arms and all.
4 QBs, Anderson, Carter, Wilson, Gonzalez. That adds up to 8. I am confident that Johnson will be there at #9. Few mocks have him going earlier. It’s even possible that Skoronski is first tackle drafted.
According to a lot of people who study these things Skoronski has the best tape of all the tackles...short arms and all.
That is true, and so some team could have him #1 on their board if they don’t mind moving him to guard if his 32-inch arms are a problem at the NFL level. The Bears have Davis and Jenkins to play guard, so should be focused on getting a NFL prototype RT like Johnson or B. Jones.
He may not be, Butkus. He may go in that #5-8 range. Depends on how many QBs go early...2? 3? All 4?
Does Carter get drafted top-8? What about the CBs?
PJJ is my #1 target FRP for the Bears but I'm maybe 50-50 on whether he will still be on the board at #9.
I think he'll be there because QB's generally always go early and there's enough teams early that need one, there are two corners that look like they can be studs and the edge rushers are much better than the tackles in this class.
Funny you should bring this up. Here's Dane Brugler's latest rankings. Read on for a summary of each player.
Just as an aside...cause I know the PJJ love is at a high right now. If he was this sure thing, no brainer, stud left tackle...why would he be available at 9?
There are no sure thing players drafted. I hear that "sure thing" term thrown around every year. I've seen so many of those guys bust over the past 60+ years that it downright irritates me to see a player anointed as one anymore. Yes, there are players who have an extremely high probability to transition as a star NFL player. But no sure thing guys. Just my personal opinion.
Regarding PJJ, he may or may not be there at #9. We don't know how the draft will break for us. At least I don't. LOL, I'm glad I'm not Poles and having to figure this one out... I'd be laying awake at night in cold sweats over this pick :-)
She has some interesting things to say about the tackle position in the Bears draft. She is very positive about Braxton Jones at left tackle. Poles has great confidence in Brax. Brax knows he needs to add lower body strength to handle bull rushers and he has been in Halas Hall all offseason lifting weights. This was great news. If he can solve that problem, we have our LT for the future.
She also says the Bears might not draft a tackle in the first round. Having found Brax in round 5, Poles may feel he can find another tackle in the later rounds and take DL in first round.
She says Carter will not drop lower than the Lions, and if he goes there, we have a big problem. I agree, and that’s why I wanted to do a Colts deal.
She also talks about Aaron Rodgers, and feels that it is almost a done deal that he’s going to the Jets.