The new CBS mock has the Steelers trading up to #9 for JJ McCarthy and the Bears getting Powers-Johnson with the Steelers #20 pick. That’s way better than TE or #4 WR at #9.
I get that everyone is high on JPJ but I think maybe some perspective is in order here. The guy is an iOL. Maybe a C, maybe a G. But he's an interior OL and those positions are generally not ones you spend a 1st round pick on. In addition, he has only 1 year of starting experience in college.
Yeash I'd way rather use the #9 pick on a pass catcher or even a pass rusher than a damn C.
The Bears wouldn't use that #9 on JPJ. And he is not the only high-tier C in this draft. But it could make sense in a trade down situation. I am hoping that if the Bears do draft with that #9 pick, that they get one of the top 3 or 4 wide receivers. But ultimately the Bears do need to get the WR and IOL upgraded. Exactly how they do it, hey, there are multiple ways to do that in the draft and FA. I honestly believe the Bears will fix both needs this off-season. They know that going with the glassman Jenkins (great OL when not on annual IR duty), a rotten center and a failing/struggling Nate Davis - will equate to a failure at QB. Again. The rookie needs a decent OL to develop into a good QB... but again, I believe the Bears understand this and will deal with it effectively this year.
The new CBS mock has the Steelers trading up to #9 for JJ McCarthy and the Bears getting Powers-Johnson with the Steelers #20 pick. That’s way better than TE or #4 WR at #9.
I get that everyone is high on JPJ but I think maybe some perspective is in order here. The guy is an iOL. Maybe a C, maybe a G. But he's an interior OL and those positions are generally not ones you spend a 1st round pick on. In addition, he has only 1 year of starting experience in college.
Yeash I'd way rather use the #9 pick on a pass catcher or even a pass rusher than a damn C.
We have a much greater need at center than receiver or pass rusher, although I agree we them all. Most people agree that JPJ is worthy of a first round pick, but not the other centers. He can also play guard. JABF and I want a Pro Bowl caliber center, and if that is what he is, that adds more to the offense than another TE or the #4 WR.
I get that everyone is high on JPJ but I think maybe some perspective is in order here. The guy is an iOL. Maybe a C, maybe a G. But he's an interior OL and those positions are generally not ones you spend a 1st round pick on. In addition, he has only 1 year of starting experience in college.
Yeash I'd way rather use the #9 pick on a pass catcher or even a pass rusher than a damn C.
We have a much greater need at center than receiver or pass rusher, although I agree we them all. Most people agree that JPJ is worthy of a first round pick, but not the other centers. He can also play guard. JABF and I want a Pro Bowl caliber center, and if that is what he is, that adds more to the offense than another TE or the #4 WR.
I keep thinking that Poles should be able to get the IOL and WR positions fixed with some excellent talent - between the draft and FA. Poles likes to move around in the draft and I'll bet we see some of that this year too. Regarding the OL, a lot of fans simply don't value it as important because it isn't a sexy draft pick. They believe you take care of the IOL with leftovers and wannabees and "call it all good" - until the season begins and the QB is roadkill and there is no pocket to work out of - and the QB is running for his life. Then they bitch and moan about the OL. But when draft time rolls around the IOL usually doesn't rate much love from fans. It is just the way it is I think. But if the Bears do invest in the IOL this off season then they will be rewarded with a better offense.
EDIT: But I would prefer a top 3 receiver at #9 and if thats not there then do a bit of a trade down for a C later in the first round. A center won't go at #9 in this draft.
We have a much greater need at center than receiver or pass rusher, although I agree we them all. Most people agree that JPJ is worthy of a first round pick, but not the other centers. He can also play guard. JABF and I want a Pro Bowl caliber center, and if that is what he is, that adds more to the offense than another TE or the #4 WR.
I keep thinking that Poles should be able to get the IOL and WR positions fixed with some excellent talent - between the draft and FA. Poles likes to move around in the draft and I'll bet we see some of that this year too. Regarding the OL, a lot of fans simply don't value it as important because it isn't a sexy draft pick. They believe you take care of the IOL with leftovers and wannabees and "call it all good" - until the season begins and the QB is roadkill and there is no pocket to work out of - and the QB is running for his life. Then they bitch and moan about the OL. But when draft time rolls around the IOL usually doesn't rate much love from fans. It is just the way it is I think. But if the Bears do invest in the IOL this off season then they will be rewarded with a better offense.
EDIT: But I would prefer a top 3 receiver at #9 and if thats not there then do a bit of a trade down for a C later in the first round. A center won't go at #9 in this draft.
JPJ won’t go at #9, but there are a few teams that need a center at #18-21, and Cowboys would love to get him at #26. So, IF we think he is Pro Bowl caliber, how far down from #9 are you willing to trade and have a realistic chance? I would like to trade with the Seahawks at #16. We get JPJ and Hawks get Nix. I’d love it.
I keep thinking that Poles should be able to get the IOL and WR positions fixed with some excellent talent - between the draft and FA. Poles likes to move around in the draft and I'll bet we see some of that this year too. Regarding the OL, a lot of fans simply don't value it as important because it isn't a sexy draft pick. They believe you take care of the IOL with leftovers and wannabees and "call it all good" - until the season begins and the QB is roadkill and there is no pocket to work out of - and the QB is running for his life. Then they bitch and moan about the OL. But when draft time rolls around the IOL usually doesn't rate much love from fans. It is just the way it is I think. But if the Bears do invest in the IOL this off season then they will be rewarded with a better offense.
EDIT: But I would prefer a top 3 receiver at #9 and if thats not there then do a bit of a trade down for a C later in the first round. A center won't go at #9 in this draft.
JPJ won’t go at #9, but there are a few teams that need a center at #18-21, and Cowboys would love to get him at #26. So, IF we think he is Pro Bowl caliber, how far down from #9 are you willing to trade and have a realistic chance? I would like to trade with the Seahawks at #16. We get JPJ and Hawks get Nix. I’d love it.
That's a great question. Today there are multiple insiders saying the Bears may do multiple trade downs now and keep Justin Fields. I'd love to trade down to where they get Marvin Harrison Jr, and then trade down at least one more time at #9 to say the #16 to #18-ish pick level. I think they could land Jackson Powers-Johns there and still walk away with some high powered draft picks for both this draft, and also the 2025 draft. That would mean the Bears basically lay a firm foundation for building a dynasty here for the next 10 years or so. Think about it. In 2025 they could do another "ransom" thing with multiple 1st round picks in hand. And I keep coming back to the fact that if the Bears can't win Super Bowls (multiple) with Justin Fields and the firepower in hand that they will have as a result of all these high draft picks... three years in a row - then they can't win with anyone. I'm not on the Caleb trash-team or hype-team, not either one. I am 100% behind this trade down and keeping Justin Fields. Holy cow that is the scenario that excites me most.
JPJ won’t go at #9, but there are a few teams that need a center at #18-21, and Cowboys would love to get him at #26. So, IF we think he is Pro Bowl caliber, how far down from #9 are you willing to trade and have a realistic chance? I would like to trade with the Seahawks at #16. We get JPJ and Hawks get Nix. I’d love it.
That's a great question. Today there are multiple insiders saying the Bears may do multiple trade downs now and keep Justin Fields. I'd love to trade down to where they get Marvin Harrison Jr, and then trade down at least one more time at #9 to say the #16 to #18-ish pick level. I think they could land Jackson Powers-Johns there and still walk away with some high powered draft picks for both this draft, and also the 2025 draft. That would mean the Bears basically lay a firm foundation for building a dynasty here for the next 10 years or so. Think about it. In 2025 they could do another "ransom" thing with multiple 1st round picks in hand. And I keep coming back to the fact that if the Bears can't win Super Bowls (multiple) with Justin Fields and the firepower in hand that they will have as a result of all these high draft picks... three years in a row - then they can't win with anyone. I'm not on the Caleb trash-team or hype-team, not either one. I am 100% behind this trade down and keeping Justin Fields. Holy cow that is the scenario that excites me most.
That’s my ideal draft. Harrison + JPJ + whatever else you can get from the trade.
JPJ won’t go at #9, but there are a few teams that need a center at #18-21, and Cowboys would love to get him at #26. So, IF we think he is Pro Bowl caliber, how far down from #9 are you willing to trade and have a realistic chance? I would like to trade with the Seahawks at #16. We get JPJ and Hawks get Nix. I’d love it.
That's a great question. Today there are multiple insiders saying the Bears may do multiple trade downs now and keep Justin Fields. I'd love to trade down to where they get Marvin Harrison Jr, and then trade down at least one more time at #9 to say the #16 to #18-ish pick level. I think they could land Jackson Powers-Johns there and still walk away with some high powered draft picks for both this draft, and also the 2025 draft. That would mean the Bears basically lay a firm foundation for building a dynasty here for the next 10 years or so. Think about it. In 2025 they could do another "ransom" thing with multiple 1st round picks in hand. And I keep coming back to the fact that if the Bears can't win Super Bowls (multiple) with Justin Fields and the firepower in hand that they will have as a result of all these high draft picks... three years in a row - then they can't win with anyone. I'm not on the Caleb trash-team or hype-team, not either one. I am 100% behind this trade down and keeping Justin Fields. Holy cow that is the scenario that excites me most.
I'd hope to see a DE or DT at the second pick and a C in the 2nd round with some of the new trade capital. That's nee. As long as they strengthen the D, Fix the Ol and add more weapons for the QB (and they are effective), they can do it any way they want
He’s the same size and speed as Claypool, but I assume he can learn a playbook. He is not that much better receiver than just drafting a WR at #9 and being done with it.
However, I don’t want him if there’s a way to trade down and get JPJ. He would be involved in virtually EVERY play, whereas Bowers would not. JPJ was dominant at Senior Bowl, and at 334 pounds, makes the Bears running game absolutely AWESOME! Think about what that would do for Fields, Moore, Harrison in the passing game. This is the formula for a top-5 offense and 6000+ total offense.
He’s the same size and speed as Claypool, but I assume he can learn a playbook. He is not that much better receiver than just drafting a WR at #9 and being done with it.
However, I don’t want him if there’s a way to trade down and get JPJ. He would be involved in virtually EVERY play, whereas Bowers would not. JPJ was dominant at Senior Bowl, and at 334 pounds, makes the Bears running game absolutely AWESOME! Think about what that would do for Fields, Moore, Harrison in the passing game. This is the formula for a top-5 offense and 6000+ total offense.
We disagree on this. I think we need a receiving threat more than we need JPJ over another top C. If we have used the first pick on a QB, then IMO, we HAVE to use that next pick on a receiving threat. MHJ is a no brainer, but I don't think he will be there. So then it will be whoever the Bears think will be the best threat in receiving the ball. Do we desperately need a C? Absolutely. But I'd be ok with one in the 2nd. There are other good centers. We SHOULD have a second round pick if we trade JF. But what I think and will happen are not connected. That's why I don't even screw with mocks. What actually happens is the only thing that counts.