You guys have really covered this OL topic, only two things i would add: - Totally agree that the RT position has increased in importance over the last decade or so. Probably part of a long domino effect that started with the league wanting more points, so it became more of a passing league, so Defenses had to start thinking in terms of not just 1 great pass rusher but two, which demanded not just one great edge blocker but two. I remember on here about a decade ago there was a whole host of debate around Gabe Carimi and whether he was worth a 1st round pick due to his position(RT). Carimi was maybe one of the more predictable picks for the Bears cos plenty of mocks had him coming here which indeed he did. But on here there were plenty who didn't like the idea. I was very split on it myself. If i remember correctly Mongo was pretty highly in favour which shows he was prob ahead of the curve in terms of future positional value. Obviously Carimi was a bust, but the point here is being comfortable taking a RT in the 1st round. Back then #29 felt like a stretch. When the Bucs took Tristan Wirfs at like 12 or 13 it got a loss less heat. If the Bears took Darnell Wright i don't think people would bat an eye, and they'd be right not to. He's number 3 on my OL want list in the 1st round, but i would not be unhappy if they took him, gotta say. - The LT/RT thing you guys have covered so sorry if this has been said. All id say is for a right handed QB the LT will still be on the blind side, that alone makes it more important, especially for Fields imo. The vast majority of the time a LDE beating a RT will bring him into Fields field of vision. Good luck taking him down from there, the DE's work has just begun. But that blind side still holds the potential for a QB to get nailed and without being able to really brace themselves too sometimes. Braxton Jones didn't do nearly enough last season to just be handed that job again this year.
My biggest fear is Poles does go for Carter at 9, given all his baggage I see that as a worse option than Bijan. We really need the Lions, Raiders or Seahawks to take Carter before Poles is up.
I'm not worrying that he'll be there at 9 because I think the Lions or the Seahawks will grab him, but I'm worried about him moving up to grab him.
I'm not going to be at all surprised if Carter goes before us now. Yeah, he is a headcase and should have fucked his position entirely, but the buzz is all about how he's the best DT "by a mile" and that means there will be a team that believes they can fix the stupid. Then you have Tuna over here having me believe they might trade up for him, which might piss me off more than the Bijan pick, but Tuna is TUNA! How many Mongo draft contests did he win? Just two more days. I'm also curious what's going to happen with these QBs, I remember reading during the season this would be a bad year for QBs, Young/Stroud were the only two worth anything, and now it's a solid 4 QBs all projected way high up. Which of these guys will be a Mahomes? Which will be a Zach Wilson? Fun to watch.
I honestly can't buy them going this route, but if they really do that it will prove what i said about Poles last season, he doesnt understand the importance of OL. And i don't care if he spent two weeks as a player on an NFL roster once way back when. We know they're going to pick plenty of D in this draft, if the first pick goes RB I don't see any OL help till #103 at best. And thats a straight up fail. Between Carter and this Bijan talk im def preparing myself for the worst. Just another day as a Bears fan.
I wouldn't put anything past this team, because they have a way of pushing all our buttons by compounding a problem. So I ask, what would piss you off more, Selecting Carter at 9, or moving up to 5 to get him?
The only way I can accept taking Carter is IF he falls into our lap. Can’t give up draft capital with other just as important needs that will be there. Now trading back a bit so someone else can draft Carter and still get a top OT. Now we are talking.
I really don't think they will move up to do that. I can't imagine it, if it happened i think my head would explode.
Do you mean they've never exploded your head before? This is the Bears I don't put anything past them, nothing.
Depending on the way the draft goes, it seems like there might be a great opportunity to take your #1 / #2 OT in the first round, a pass rusher and then a center with your second round picks. And if they did that, I'd go to sleep a happy man. Alternatively, I could see them going after another defensive lineman or a corner with a second round pick (given that LB feels addressed). If they go RB, TE, WR, or S with any of those picks, I'll be upset. If they pick what looks like some outstanding talent that fell beyond where they were expected, I might come around to it, but basically this team has a couple positions that have been criminally under-addressed, and if they don't do it now it'll cement that this team still doesn't prioritize those spots. I say all that as my, "this is basically how I feel about the next three days", as we start draft weekend. I just closed on our new Minnesota home today, and I'm hoping the Bears tonight give me a reason to wear their colors when we move. Cheers, all!
Having failed to secure a trade down at #9 when i took part in that mock draft thing, it really brought it home how hard it was to select that needed difference maker at #53. I had to trade up to make sure of it and i suspect Poles will have to as well unless he can get a meaty trade down from #9. I was lucky enough to have a top2 C still there when i was at #61 but i really don't expect that to happen in the actual draft. If he is and Poles passes i will be pissed off. Maybe not passing on Pickens twice last year for a DB pissed off, but pretty close. My expectation is that we won't hear a C's name called until the 4th or 5th round. Maybe that Oluwatimi guy, or Scruggs. Its a good name Scruggs. You can root for a Scruggs. I just wish he carried a better draft grade. At least we'll find out soon. It feels like its taken extra long to get here. Last year i barely thought about it between Feb & April, this year with the #1 pick the time has crawled by. I feel ready, mentally insulated for whatever stupid move the Bears make. But then i've though that before only for them to take a big smelly dump right in my breakfast bowl. Don't be a Ryan 2.0, Poles.
I mean you’re kidding right? We will see if Wright turns out better than the NW kid but picking up a free 4th round pick for not taking Carter? That is genius. Because the only way the eagles give up that pick is if Poles convinces him others are interested.
I don't think its genius at all. The 4th rounder isn't this year, its next. I think the return should have been bigger, including another pick this year. I'm aware it was only one spot. They want Jalen Carter/to replace Hargrave? Make em pay for it. Instead, it feels like Ian Cunningham did his old boss a solid/the exact kind of "trade down clown" horseshit I've railed against and will forever continue to--because this reeks of trading down just to do it. I wanted an OT, I got one. Not the guy I wanted, but that's what Poles will be judged on. So I'm not really complaining with the pick.
When I saw the trade back with the Eagles I knew they would take Carter and Poles was off the hook. I agree with Patg though, would've been much better to get a 3rd this year, even a 4th this year. A 4th rounder for next year doesn't help us in 2023. I'm happy that he went OT. Patg had convinced me that Skoronski was the guy if he was available but I'll take a RT who played in the SEC. Now C must be next priority, and wouldn't hurt to add another OT in the later rounds.
