Yeah, I meant taken in the draft, and Cutler was that bombshell trade, he was more of a known quantity than a draft pick at that point. And we got exactly that without any further growth: Honestly Fields is the closest, because there was a lot of excitement, and he "fell" to a spot we could trade up to. I have seen this nonsense too, trading up for MHJ. People really forget how many holes this team actually has and just want flashy names at skill positions. I chalk it up to draft fever, waiting for it to finally come around. It really depends on how things unfold like you say. Almost every mock has Alt going to Tenn now, but if there's one thing I know over the years, it's that the mocks often get things monstrously wrong. I'll take him at 9. But imagine you can trade down and get the JPJ kid late first + some extra picks? I'd be onboard for that. Marshall, Jeffrey, Bennett was a powerhouse combo, but I get your point. I don't think a trade down from 9 means leaving the first round, it instead means a late 1st + a 2nd or something like that. Depends on who gets desperate and why. If there's a QB that falls? Might be more even.
Yes trading up for a WR is an idiotic idea for many reasons inc but not limited to the fact they have no trade up capital this year so it would be mortgaging future picks which i am not in favour of one bit. Also its unnecessary, for the positional considerations you listed but also there isn't just 1 top10 worthy WR this year there's 3. And if by bad luck you miss out on them there's a stack of talent at the next level. I was presented with this exact consideration when i did the collaborative mock draft thing on here last week. It got to pick #9 and sitting right there was Nabers. Now lemme just say if the Bears pick him there i will have no problem with it cos he's an outstanding prospect who should totally go before #9. Also, if i had a do-over there's only a 50% chance i would do the same thing cos it was extremely hard to pass on that pick. But as it was i traded out of the pick back to #15(i think) and got a 2nd rounder(#46). From there i took DE Verse at #16 and C Zach Frazier at #46. The details of the players i took doesnt interest me too much cos i know some of you guys know more about college players than i do. What mattered to me was the calculation: Nabers(or Odunze potentially) looks like a great talent, but in essence i passed on a WR who would struggle to make an impact this season(and possibly next as well if its a crowded WR room), to draft 2 instant starters at positions of big need. What you've written there pat is pretty much the exact logic i applied as well. I mean i'm sure Poles wont do any of this cos he's an idiot, but its nice to know we're on the same page. The only thing to push back on you(and me i guess) regards Keenan Allen. Its true the Bears wil have neither WR in 2years, but as it stands they'll be down to 1 in 1year. You just can't be a modern NFL offense and have 1 real WR. Gotta have 2. Thats not to say the Keenan Allen situation outweighs what i just wrote, it doesn't. But him not getting any kind of extension before the draft really complicates the calculation re all of this. Side note: I am really surprised there has been no extension for Allen yet. I thought there would be one shortly after the trade, even if it was only 1year. I don't know why you make this trade if its only a 1year rental, this team isnt going to the SB next season. Only possible reason for a trade with no extension is purely to help Williams his rookie year. A high 4th rounder + that salary, its steep. Not helped by the fact i've got a bad feeling about Allen. He's spoken multiple times publicly about how didnt want to be traded, wanted to finish with the Chargers. Havent heard much good about Chicago/the Bears. Now no extension. Hope im wrong but there is the potential here for an unmotivated player putting mediocre numbers while taking the sizable money then F'ing off.
I haven't heard the rumors you have, so that's discouraging, but I'll be worried when we get to camp or even the season and there's not an extension. I like Allen, I just didn't like the age and durability. If it really ends up being a 4th rounder for a 1 year rental.....
Allen did attend Williams Pro Day wearing Bears gear and was seen talking to Caleb and his family so there's that. Optimistically one could say he's trying to gain an inside edge on targets as he has known Caleb for about a year now as well. IMO I don't think that sounds like an unmotivated player, it sounds like one that is going the extra mile for a nice payday.
Good stuff tuna. I sure hope it pans out in line with your description rather than mine, thats for sure. If nothing else we have a player in a contract year, that usually serves as great motivation. If he does play it out here and hit FA in 2025, Allen likely won't see a long contract offer, but hell even two year deals can be worth $50mil these days ie Mike Evans. If its not obvious im trying to talk myself into your way of thinking heh.
I don’t disagree with the need for 2 competent WRs in today’s day and age. They don’t need a 2nd right now. And while Allen’s contractual status is unresolved, taking a WR now is a straight luxury pick—even if Allen is only here for 1 year then goes back to the left coast. I share tuna’s optimism for Allen. Furthermore, I’ll add Keenan Allen at Caleb’s pro day was aware when asked that after the bolts restructured Herbert, Mack, and Bosa then cut Mike Williams, they were cap compliant with some breathing room to fit in a draft and a mid FA or two. Then a day later after they were cap compliant, they traded Allen, which means Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman didn’t want him—which is unsurprising. I’m hoping he’s got a chip on his shoulder and one more top tier season left, though watch—the bears still won’t get a comp pick for him even if he’s a 1 and done. And if he’s a 1 and done, that’s fine. I can see Poles trying to keep him then letting him go if he asks because I’m pretty sure Allen’s family is staying in LA. I would complain, but a 4th for 1 year of Keenan Allen beats drafting bum ass players like Velus Jones with a 3rd round pick and having said bum for 4 years. Just draft/find a WR4 who can also be a PR. Pretty sure they’ve neutered kickoffs. I’d use 75 on a shifty guy like Jalen MacMillian, Ja’lynn Polk, or Eddie McCaffery’s other kid from Rice. I’m not wild about Jared Verse at all. Complete bum slayer in college this year who got his chunk stats games against bad college offenses or Louisville in a bowl game where they were missing 18 starters, and against top 40 offenses you have to go far down the stat sheet to find him, and you’ll only find him in the ‘assisted tackles’ column. I’ve been vocal about my like for Latu, but he’s preinjured. Missed a year and a half with a neck injury, even with a fantastic 2024 where he was the opposite of verse, showing up, even blowing up the stat sheet against top 40 college offenses. I understand reservations about being preinjured and don’t blame anyone who’d pass for that reason. Been trying to get myself to like Chop Robinson more, and he’s got a twitchy-fast lightning first step, like Micah Parsons fast. Thats about it, he’s a speed move/quick sidestep with no real 2nd or even 3rd pass rushing moves or collegiate production that impresses you at first blush. This year he’ll be a 1st rounder. Other years he’d be a 3rd round project. Darius Robinson from Mizzou is in a similar boat to Chop, except power/bull is his only move so much some think he’s better off as a 5 tech (that and his propensity to be lazy when he’s sealing the edge/not pinning ears back for pass rush.) Lacks 2nd and 3rd and counter moves and production over 5 years/42 games started. He’s creeping up boards too. Otherwise DE2 isn’t looking good unless there's a hidden gem somewhere.
I'm fine with WR at 9. Keenan has missed a total of 11 out of 34 games the last 2 seasons, that's 1/3 of the time he's been injured and he'll be 32 when the season starts. Any talented rooke should see the field plenty as a #3 or possibly #2 if Keenan is hurt again, then he'll be ready for a bigger load in his second year. But absolutely positively NO TRADE UPS!
Trading up better not be on the radar. Grab a lineman. D line O line. I don’t care. The kid will have enough weapons. I’m not saying don’t grab a WR just not in the first round. It’s a deep WR draft. You have the luxury of developing a WR behind 2 studs. Do that.
