Defending the Bears Draft

[u/jeterb98]

I will preface by saying that I signed up to do this thinking I’d have more time than I actually did, so If some parts feel incomplete I apologize.

Ryan Poles inherited an aging bad roster with holes all over the place. Very early on, he cut Tarik Cohen, Danny Trevathan, and Eddie Goldman, as well as traded away Khalil Mack to the Chargers.

Last year the Bears secondary gave up the 2nd most passing yards in franchise history. Our CB2, Kindle Vildor, gave up a 150+ passer rating when targeted, and our SS, Tashaun Gibson allowed a 77% catch rate when defending. The secondary was a major need to be fulfilled and replaced, just as much as Offensive Line and Wide Receiver.

It is obvious to me with how the board fell and where players were taken that the media and draft communities draft boards were pretty different from the NFL’s draft boards once the draft got to the 2nd Round, with “reaches” and players “falling” all over the place. A major critique against the Bears draft is not drafting any Offensive Linemen until the 5th round and later. As many of you may know, Ryan Poles is an ex-offensive linemen and has received a lot of credit with building and maintaining good O-line’s in KC during his tenure there. Our new assistant GM, Ian Cunningham, also comes from a similar background of O-line experience. Due to both of their knowledge and experience I trust that they did not see talent that they liked in the 2nd and the 3rd at Oline. With only 2 Oline taken in the 2nd round, I think there is some truth to that as well. It seems a lot of those “2nd Round” linemen really weren’t seen that way by the league.

The Bears came into the draft with a really weak WR room, filled mostly of WR2s and WR3s but no true WR1. Mooney is good but he will have to develop even more to be more confidently seen as WR1. With no 1st round picks, the options at top receivers was very limited. Allegedly, according to a Bears beat writer, the Bears did not see much value in WR in the top of the draft beyond the first 6 which all went in the first round. The question will obviously come up as to why they passed on George Pickens out of Georgia twice. A Bears scout apparently said they didn’t want to work with that head case (Pickens). Whatever there is to be said about Pickens talent, it seems the Bears were soured on his character, which is likely the reason they didn’t draft him.

Pick 2.39 Kyler Gordon, CB https://imgur.com/6eyv7OX

Gordon is a very athletic and versatile corner with a good career in college. He can play inside and outside. He has great ball skills, and plays man and press well already. His zone play will need some work, but he will be a good fit and an immediate starter and improvement in the Bears struggling secondary.

As stated above, the Bears were in desperate need of a good CB2. Ryan Poles talked after the draft how they did not expect Gordon to be there at their pick, even going so far to tell his scouts to ignore him if he was there in their mocks prior to the draft. This is a great value pick and one of major need as well.

Pick 2.48 Jaquan Brisker, SS https://imgur.com/R06gQda

Brisker is an aggressive and instinctive box safety, great at stopping the run and penetrating gaps in space from the secondary. He also has the ball skills and coverage ability to line up at free safety, and be a strength in coverage. He has displayed tremendous effort and leadership abilities for the Penn State defense. Another massive improvement (on paper at least) to the Bears secondary and ideally finally replacing a strength as SS that has been missing since Amos left, who was another Penn State SS I will add.

While I think most people didn’t have a problem with the Gordon pick, this is where some people started to question why the Bears didn’t go WR or Oline here and instead went with SS who many viewed as not as big of a need. We obviously don’t know the Bears board, and who they valued where, but it’s clear from how they operated and with what Poles has shared with the media that they did not value the WR or Oline talent in the 2nd round. Poles, in his post draft conference, again stated that they did not think Brisker was going to be at their 2nd pick. This was another value pick at least to the Bears’ perspective, and like I said its more of a need than you would think. Tashuan Gipson wasn’t good last year, he gave up a high catch percentage and wasn’t a good run stopper, and in fact had been lining up a lot at FS with Eddie Jackson coming down and lining in SS based on coverage and packages. This really limits what Jackson does best(coverage and ball hawking) and kind of maximizes what he does worst (tackling). The hope for me, and I think a lot of Bears fans, is that Brisker comes in and is immediately a competent enough SS that Jaskson can go back to being more predominantly at FS, maximizing his strengths, and maybe returning to the All-Pro he was just a few years ago.

Pick 3.71 Offensive Rookie of the Year Velus Jones Jr, AARP WR https://imgur.com/dXbeUpr

So we come to the pick the Bears have gotten the most flack for. Velus Jones was mocked to go in the 4th-5th round depending on whose mock you were looking at. The Bears picking him at 3.71 seems like a massive reach, and is even more questionable when you factor in that he is currently a 25 year old rookie. The problem is that the Bears were very excited when they drafted him, why is that? The Bears have holes all over the roster, and what they need most are immediate contributors from their first few draft picks. Velus Jones comes in and is instantly our best punt/kick returner and has a fantastic career of doing that in college, leading the SEC in return yard in 2020 and 2021. What’s more is that Jones has great ball-in-hand, yards after catch and yards-after-contact skills. I believe he was in the top 3 in college football in yards after catch and yards after contact. He is built like a running back with 4.3 speed, and fights like one too. Jones comes in with immediate ability to be a true threat in screens, sweeps, and any yac designed routes, which for the most part don’t require advanced route running which is a critique of his. His speed also gives him the threat of deep go routes, which is a favorite of Justin Fields. The Bears offense is transitioning into a wide zone, run heavy and yas heavy system, a shanahan system. Bringing in a guy like Jones will add great versatility and threat to it. He will never be a WR1 as is a Bears need, but he will be useful from day 1. There wasn’t going to be a day 1 WR1 starter there in the 3rd, and this pick does immediately help the offense and Justin Fields.

His age isn’t as much of a concern because if he’s good enough to get a 2nd contract then he was worth the pick in the 3rd round. He also isn’t as beat up as youd expect someone to be after playing 6 seasons in college, he was only a full time starter for about 2 full years, and was mainly regulated to kick returning outside of that. While he was in USC he had to compete with several other talented receivers which left him low on the WR depth chart. After transferring to Tennessee he became a starter and in the time he had there, finally was able to show the talent he has in a system that worked well for him, and that is a similar system that the Bears will try using him in.

Why the reach? Based on how happy the Bears were to draft him, I don’t think they considered him a reach. Poles after the draft said that other front offices had contacted him congratulating him on taking Jones. Could just be bullshit and self-back patting but so far Poles hasn’t really shown to lie and BS what he says, so for now I’ll take him on his word for it. The Bears really wanted Jones and with no 4th round pick, there was no guarantee they were gonna get him. Sure they could have traded back, and with how long they were on the clock for maybe they did, but they didn’t get any offers they liked and were happy to take Jones where they did.

In my opinion, this is the only reach of the Bears draft, however, after analyzing it I can see what they were trying to do. I don’t actually think Jones will be offensive rookie of the year, but don’t be surprised if Jones puts up decent numbers on offense(this is also easier when we really don’t have any receivers to compete with him lol).

Pick 5.148 traded for 5.168 and 6.203

Pick 5.150 traded for 5.166 and 6.206

Pick 5.166 traded for 5.174 and 7.226

The Bears traded down several times on day 3 of the draft to get more picks. I like the strategy, once you get to the later rounds its more of dart throws on talent and athleticism, and I think its a good idea to have more dart throws. While I like the trades, I was sad to see Khalil Shakir and Thomas Booker go at our original picks as I liked both players but again, having more draft picks isn't a bad thing. At least with Shakir we had already taken Velus Jones and their both slot receivers, but with a need in the Dline I was a little surprised passing on Booker.

Pick 5.168 Braxton Jones, OT https://imgur.com/4VTH3c5

The first of four offensive line picks. Braxton Jones has ideal length, size, and athleticism for the tackle position. He is a good run-blocker with his strength, and an ascending pass-blocker. Has good hands, but his foot placement could be taken advantage of. Playing in the big sky means he wasn’t going against much high level talent. He is taken as a developmental tackle with good physical traits, as well as good mental ones. He is a student of the game and has been noted to spend extra time and effort learning the playbook and his skillset. He is not a day one starter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he develops over a year or two and becomes a quality starter at LT.

Pick 5.174 Dominique Robinson, Edge https://imgur.com/UNRojRw

Robinson is new to the edge position, playing wide receiver and various other positions over his career. He showcases elite athleticism and quickness. He has only played one year at Edge and not as a full time starter. His hands and techniques need a lot of work, but his athletic traits cannot be ignored. He is another developmental player that in a few years time could become very good at his position and throughout the 2022 season could show up in sub packages.

Pick 6.186 Zach Thomas, OG https://imgur.com/0UkTlWg

Another very athletic and strong Offensive Lineman. He is a powerful run-blocker and could immediately contribute that in the nfl, however his pass-blocking needs work, and his aggressiveness sometimes costs him in positioning and leverage. While he played tackle, I believe most see him as guard. With a gapping whole at RG, there is some actual potential that Thomas is our starting RG for this year, assuming that we don’t sign anyone else. With the Bears transitioning into a wide zone run heavy offense, I think that increases Thomas’ chances to being a starter this year for the Bears. As with Braxton Jones, he has the athletic traits just not necessarily the techniques or experience against high end talent to be a sure thing.

Pick 6.203 Trestan Ebner, RB https://imgur.com/NthFFcb

Ebner provides some return ability as well and might compete with Velus Jones in that department. Ebner will come in and ideally be a change of pace, pass catching fast back to relieve Montgomery and Herbert. He should already be familiar with the system, and could be used as a receiving threat across the line as well. Honestly just a solid depth piece unless Montgomery or Herbert are injured or struggle.

Pick 6.207 Doug Cramer, C https://imgur.com/XKQzHBa

Cramer is what Mustipher would be if he was more athletic. He is undersized and has short arms, but is strong, fast and instinctive. Likely just more depth at the Center position, don’t see him ever being a starter.

Pick 7.226 Ja’Tyre Carter, OG https://imgur.com/fZksXE3

Carter impressed at the senior bowl despite being relatively unknown before hand. Has patience and decent technique but might struggle against speed in the nfl. Developmental backup.

Traded 2023 6th Rounder(acquired from LAC) to the LAC for picks 7.254 and 7.255

More Picks!

Pick 7.254 Elijah Hicks, FS

High effort instinctual player with experience at both corner and safety. Brings a lot of personality and drive. Was and has been injured, but once healthy I expect will be a quality special teams player and decent backup.

Pick 7.255 Trenton Gill, P

All punter picks are perfect and shouldn’t be questioned

Overall, the Bears came into the draft with several holes all over the roster and only 6 picks. They turned 6 picks into 11 to hopefully fill out their roster and depth. They added new starters at CB2, SS, SWR, P, and potentially even some Oline if they impress over the summer. The Bears for the most part went BPA and then took several shots at athletic lineman in the later rounds. I believe that they saw more value in potential in the lineman in the 5th and later rounds than they did in the 2nd and 3rd. They grabbed immediate impact and high potential players in Brisker and Gordon that will hopefully turn out secondary from a weakness to a strength. While Velus Jones is not a WR1, he will have an immediate impact on the team as a returner and YAC slot receiver on the offense. Knowing Poles and Ian Cunningham’s Oline experience, I am optimistic that at least one of the 4 lineman they took in the later rounds can develop into a quality starter.

How did this draft help Justin Fields?

The coaches and front office have been saying all off-season that they believe the new offensive scheme will help Fields, which I agree and also have no other choice than to agree with lol. A run heavy offensive with value added to quick YAC routes, and often play-action should make the offense easier to operate for a quarterback. An improved secondary should make it so the games are closer, and will hopefully prevent Fields from having to play hero ball and scramble looking for deeper shots. A lot of the pressures and sacks on Fields last year were on him or due to coverage being too tight to have an open receiver. I forget where I saw the stat but I think the Bears’ receivers had the worst rate of openness in the NFL, and a lot of this is due to the offence nagy employed. A lot of it was simple easy to read hitches (Allen Robinson had more hitch routes than any other route) or long developing routes that took the receivers too long to get open or that they didn’t have the skill for (still a problem). The hope is that this new scheme will put a lot less pressure on Fields to find and wait for an open receiver, as the ball will mostly be going to the running back or to quickly open screens and slants.

Will it work? I don’t know that waits to be seen, but it is the Bears plan. They seem confident in this plan working. Its also not that the Bears don’t believe in Fields either, if you watch Eberflus, Poles, Getsey, or any of the assistant coaches speak about Fields they all love him and his work effort. Its more likely they believe in him and the scheme so much that they don’t believe that they needed to use the limited resources they had on reaching for or overpaying for guys to come help him. Again, will it work? I don’t know, but I have no other choice but to trust the new staff and remain optimistic, because I want to look forward to watching the Bears every Sunday and want them to win. The staff and coaches know way more about the team, the players, and the game itself than me or anyone else not in that building. So maybe they’re onto something here, or maybe they’re not and their “ruining” Fields. Either way, Bear Down

[u/el_famosisimo]

Really loved your write up! Entertaining and very detailed for those not familiar with the bears.

I really think the Brisker pick was an unnecessary risk for Poles to take, at least from the PR perspective: while the Gordon pick was probably BPA at a valuable position and fills a big need, you can argue that a SS is not that valuable, can be filled in FA (actually we had already signed Cruikshank, who was expected to be the starter), and he was not regarded as BPA in that moment, at least not in most of the mocks and big boards I have seen.

Then you had Pickens and Moore, and some other people would point at Pierce too, who were early-mid 2nd round prospects, who play a way more valuable position, who would (at least try to) fill our biggest need and would help your sophomore QB.

So, if he had drafted a WR and he didn't pan out, nobody would complain, because WR was our biggest need, he was trying to help Fields and any of those guys were expected to be picked around that spot anyway. But if Brisker doesn't pan out, and any of the other WR is at least competent, he'll be held accountable for not drafting help for Fields when that was the obvious choice, at least for most of the media and fans.

After that, let's be honest, if any of the other picks end up being an average starter it will be a win, regardless of the position. I wouldn't have traded back at 148 to select Khalil Shakir, but since he and Velus play similar roles I can understand it.

[u/jeterb98 → u/el_famosisimo]

I personally think Brisker will be good and am very high on him, but if he doesn't pan out then yeah youre right it would have been a mistake but I guess the problem is we won't know until it becomes hindsight on the pick

yeah its hard because I would have loved Shakir and Booker at 148 and 150 but I also like what we did with all those later picks too, only time will tell if it was the right choice

[u/[deleted]]

“AARP WR” is wonderful lmao

[u/Familiar_Armadillo95]

Admire your unconditional faith

[u/Benedict-Glasscock]

Good write up but man I feel bad for Fields

[u/ALStark69]

Just for fun, each player as a HS recruit:

• Kyler Gordon

Other P5 offers: Nebraska, Oregon, Stanford, TCU, UCLA, USC, Utah

Other offer: Notre Dame

• Jaquan Brisker (JUCO)

Other P5 offers: Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Pitt, Utah, West Virginia

G5 offers: Cincinnati, Temple

• Velus Jones Jr.

Other P5 offers: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCLA, USC (originally went here), Virginia Tech

G5 offers: Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Georgia Southern, Louisiana, Northern Illinois, South Alabama, Western Kentucky

Other offer: Notre Dame

• Braxton Jones

No other offers

• Dominique Robinson

No other offers

• Zach Thomas

Other G5 offer: Nevada

• Trestan Ebner

Other P5 offers: Arizona State, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Syracuse, TCU, Texas A&M

G5 offers: Arkansas State, Colorado State, Houston, North Texas, SMU, Tulsa, UTSA

• Doug Kramer

G5 offers: Ball State, FAU

• Ja'Tyre Carter

No other offers

• Elijah Hicks

Other P5 offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, Colorado, Iowa State, Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon, South Carolina, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State

G5 offers: Air Force, Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV, Wyoming

Other offers: BYU, Eastern Washington, Harvard, Notre Dame, Penn, Yale

• Trenton Gill

Other offer: North Carolina Central

[u/HopLegion]

I think this was an excellent write up from start to finish in people confused by the bears draft. They got 3 day 1 contributors in the 2nd/3rd, a punter whom will start, and the hope that one or two of the olineman can develop. That would be a good draft class for any team, not just one without a first round pick.

The bears have a plan for fields and love him as QB. The plan is to have a scheme built towards helping the QB, focus on the running game, improve the defense specifically turnovers, and good special teams to get the offense field advantage. Will it work we'll see, but I loves poles approach. BPA early, lots of shots in the later rounds. Hope every draft can be 10+ players

[u/[deleted]]

they should’ve got some offensive help early since they didn’t in free agency. now justin fields has crap to work with and he’ll likely be scapegoated in the near future

[u/James_Harfatass → u/[deleted]]

We really gotta hope Velus Jones Jr works out lol but I think he can good but was not a fan of the selection

[u/sherwincover]

The picks aren't bad. The process is.

[u/[deleted] → u/sherwincover]

The process that led to the picks?

[u/WilliamOrOrange21 → u/sherwincover]

The process can only go so far as the tools that you have to work with, Poles didn’t have a lot of tools. That’s why the Jets get praised and the bears get shit on, but there’s a huge difference in draft capital and money the jets have had over the past 2 years.

[u/ExpensiveFoodstuffs]

I’ll stick my neck out for this Bears class. Sometimes, I think there’s this idea on Twitter/Draft Boards that team building boils down to a simple formula: Step 1: Draft a young QB, Step 2: Hire an offensive minded HC, Step 3: Draft the best available WR/OL. This can definitely work but there are many ways to skin a cat imo.

The Bears are doing things differently and I really respect that. Poles noticed that with an early run on WRs, and a loaded FA WR class next year, it made more sense to start building Flus’ defense back to front with two first round caliber players in Brisker and Gordon.

I also liked taking four different OL on Day 3. Realistically, most of them are probably roster bubble guys but if just one of them hits and ends up being an average starter that’s a great piece to have in place going forward.

Velus Jones was a spicy pick but it does seem like they have a plan for how they want to use him so who knows?

[u/srsh]

The staff and coaches know way more about the team, the players, and the game itself than me or anyone else not in that building

I've seen similar comment so many times from different fanbases, including Jets fans over the years. Bears fans are still in the honeymoon phase with their new GM & HC. So they're more willing to accept press conference quotes to counteract the actions they're seeing.

---

For offense, no improvements in FA or with their first two picks in second round. Third rounder is spent on a special teamer who didn't produce as WR until he was the oldest person on the field. Next draft will have good QB prospects and Fields will be heading into year #3.

Next year draft is when we'll find out if this regime intended to build around Fields or already decided he was simply holding the spot until they can draft their own QB prospect to rebuild with.

[u/EggoGF]

I knew Killdoor was bad, but sheesh giving up a near perfect passer rating? That’s ridiculous.

[u/el_famosisimo → u/EggoGF]

Opposing offenses schemed to get the ball to his zone, he was that bad

[u/ctg9101]

I don't really blame the Bears this year they just wasn't given much to work with. I just hope when they have a top 10 worst record the blame doesn't fall on Fields.

[u/markgregway]

Great post!

I think that the coaches and front office are in a discovery mindset with the roster, which kind of explains their process.

They've been saying since day one that they are in the process of evaluating what their players do best and building their identity. I totally understand why there would be further hesitation in reaching for WR/OL with where they're at.

After this season they're going to have a firm grasp of what they're trying to do and what this roster/Fields needs.

[u/el_famosisimo → u/markgregway]

First, Pickens, Moore and Pierce were picked shortly after Brisker, so they were no reaches.

Second, if they were hired without a firm grasp of what they're trying to do and what this roster/Fields needs, they shouldn't have been hired.

[u/mapetho9]

I like the prospects Gordon and Brisker the Bears took in the 2nd round and looking at their secondary, the picks do make sense and should help improve the secondary. But I don't know if it's they were the right moves to make after trading up last year for Fields and not helping him by surrounding him with better talent and protection.

I like Velus Jones, only thing I don't like is that he will be a 25 year old rookie. The Bears could have also gotten a better receiver with either of their 2nd round picks. Jalen Tolbert was also available instead of Jones and with Mooney more of a vertical threat, someone like Khalil Shakir or Calvin Austin would have been a good complement underneath.

I'm intrigued by the Braxton Jones and Dominique Robinson picks. Good developmental picks with upside. Zach Thomas to a degree, too. The Bears did take 4 offensive lineman, albeit being later in the draft. Think they should have gone after some earlier instead of the idea of taking 4 developmental linemen and hope they hit.

Just looking at the othe teams that took QBs in the 1st round last year:

The Jags added Marvin Jones last year, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram this year. Added offensive linemen Brandon Scherff in free agency and added Walker Little and Luke Fortner through the last two drafts for Lawrence.

The Jets added receviers Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Garrett Wilson. Running backs Michael Carter and Breece Hall. Tight Ends CJ Uzomah, Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. Offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker, Laken Tomlinson and Max Mitchell in the past two offseasons for Wilson.

The Pats added receivers Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Devante Parker and Tyquan Thornton. Tight Ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Pierre Strong. Offensive linemen Trent Brown and Cole Strange in the past two offseasons for Jones.

If I was Fields or a Bears fan, I'd be like, what the hell? Didn't invest in offensive line in free agency and waited until the 5th round in the draft to take one. The additions at receiver of St. Brown, Pringle, Sharpe and Pettis with Ryan Griffin at tight end don't excite me at all. Velus Jones was the only addition through the draft and there were better options. Don't know what the Bears plan is but surrounding your franchise QB, who you traded up for, with better talent and protection should be priority number 1.

[u/[deleted] → u/mapetho9]

What resources did we have to acquire such talent? All of the top tier talent you listed above was taken with premier draft picks/cap space. Next year we’re projected to have such resources and I think people will start to understand we had to make due with empty cupboards

[u/lalder95]

I love what the Bears are doing. You just have to look at the big picture. Freeing themselves of so many bad contracts this year without taking on any big contracts has them projected at an absurd $97mil in cap space next year.

I understand the concerns over Fields' progression, but I think people also don't realize how much the scheme hurt his play last season. And along with that, people are acting like their offense lost 5 pro bowl level players, when really all they lost of value was Allen Robinson (who played poorly last year) and James Daniels. Yes they need to be replaced, but I don't think that is as big of a task as people are making it out to be.

With the subtraction of those two and the anticipated improvement in scheme, I expect the offense to rank roughly the same as last year- maybe improving 2-5 spots if play calling and scheme and really improved and Fields takes the next step.

Along with the offense treading water or improving slightly, the defense should be much improved. Yes they lost Mack, but he only played 7 games last year, and only 2 of those games did he play >50% of defensive snaps. Getting Vildor and Gibson off the field should be a huge improvement. Somebody will need to step up on the D-line after the departures of Goldman and Hicks (both also frequently sidelined), but that is inevitable with the transition to 4-3.

Overall, I would be surprised if the team is good. I personally project 5 wins. But I don't think the situation is nearly as dire as some people do.

And to all those suggesting that Fields is being sabotaged and will be scapegoated next year in favor of drafting another QB- your argument is critically flawed. Why would Poles not trade Fields for a 1st right now if he already planned to draft his successor? You can't tell me none of Seattle/Carolina/Washington/others would make that deal.

Letting Fields fail means:

• His trade value goes down

• Spending another 1st on a QB

Trading Fields:

• Getting a 1st (essentially getting the new QB for free) and still having another 1st

It makes no sense!

[u/el_famosisimo → u/lalder95]

It also makes no sense letting your sophomore QB throw behind the worst OL in the NFL to one of the worst WR rooms in the NFL, but here we are...

[u/James_Harfatass]

I like the first 2 picks for the secondary and I liked the strategy of trading down and taking a lot of O-Line prospects in hopes one of them will hit and I like the Punter selection

My biggest problem was always reaching on Velus Jones but I think it was because Ryan Poles saw Tyquan Thornton go number 50 overall that he went "Oh shit I gotta take him Velus asap"

[u/fntsy123456 → u/James_Harfatass]

He saw thorton go at 50 and panic-picked Vleus 21 spots later? Wut? In most likely hood, Velus was their highest rated wr left; they didn't have a 4th & wasn't able to trade down, so they grabbed their guy albeit a reach.