It ain’t happening any other way. He’s going in the first round.
Where?
Late-1st I can see. At #9 or mid-1st, I'd be a pass. He's an iOL with 1 year college experience as a starter.
I have to believe there would be a higher-impact position (Edge, OT, WR) worth taking there.
I am trading down to 16-25 range. Starts with my Seahawks, then Steelers, end up with Cowboys at #25. The lower you go, the better extra picks you get, but you seriously risk your chances he will be available.
Just don’t have a heart attack if Poles drafts JPJ.
I'd love to draft JPJ. Just not where you are saying.
I agree. We all want the "best everything" in the draft but the fact is teams have limited equity with these draft picks. Some positions you almost have to invest a top pick in, while a position like center may have a great player outside of the first round. But the premium positions pretty much require a premium draft pick investment. To elevate the entire roster in a rebuild, Poles really doesn't have the luxury of drafting a C too high... if he does that then the overall rebuild suffers to some extent. I actually like Frazier for the Bears - a lot. Crazy good player who won't be drafted as high as JPJ. Use that first round pick on a great WR. Get an elite WR on a rookie contract to pair with DJ Moore.
I'd love to draft JPJ. Just not where you are saying.
I agree. We all want the "best everything" in the draft but the fact is teams have limited equity with these draft picks. Some positions you almost have to invest a top pick in, while a position like center may have a great player outside of the first round. But the premium positions pretty much require a premium draft pick investment. To elevate the entire roster in a rebuild, Poles really doesn't have the luxury of drafting a C too high... if he does that then the overall rebuild suffers to some extent. I actually like Frazier for the Bears - a lot. Crazy good player who won't be drafted as high as JPJ. Use that first round pick on a great WR. Get an elite WR on a rookie contract to pair with DJ Moore.
I am not doing the trade down if Nabers/Odunze is there at #9. But if they are gone, the trade down for JPJ is the BEST option to provide max support for Williams, assuming that’s a higher 2024 priority than defense. Poles/Flus will probably go for edge rusher at #9 instead of #4 WR on their board. Frazier and other center prospects may still be there in round 3, but can’t assume he and Van Pran will be there at #75. Are you really OK with that risk if it means Bates is our starting center? He’s started 19 games in 5 years — mostly at guard.
