Right now, the best player coming out next season is Robert Nkemdiche. If I had the number 1 pick, that is who I'm taking unless the next Andrew Luck is available and I don't think you can say that about any QB in this draft. Nkemdiche tore apart a very good Alabama offensive line and continues to get better every game he plays. He was playing DE and DT as well as RB. Guy is a freak athlete and has the ability to be the next JJ Watt. Barring any kind of injury, this guy looks like a future NFL star.
As good as Cook might be I don't see the Bears getting a crack at the best QB available. The Browns are an even bigger S! show then the Bears that I really cant see having a lower pick than us. Unless Johnny Football lives up to his name the Browns look to be in better position to nab the highest rated signal caller coming out next season.
Right now its Nkemdiche. All of Ohio State looked bad against NIU yesterday. NIU made Bosa invisible; granted they went away from him almost every play. Cardele Jones is now UDFA. Nkemdiche is just crazy good athletic. Manziel will get a shot. But Browns will likely target a QB. Jets and Redskins will likely be targeting QBs too and are likely to be bad. Depends on the Texans too, but I think they're going to hover around .500. Better than the bears.
Browns are 1-1, Bears are 0-2. They will be tied for the number 1 pick after this week and face the Seahawks in Seattle next week. The Bears are well on their way to competing for the first pick or at worst a top 5 pick, the defense is still an abomination and Jay Cutler is still the QB. He has the same number of TD's thrown to the opposing team as he does to Bears players after two games.
Let's talk about the future HOF duo of Connor Cook and Kevin White. They're going to break all kinds of NFL records. Can't wait to watch this HOF combo for the next decade.
I love Bosa but Nkemdiche is a freak athlete. I haven't seen too many 300 lb men move like him or that are built like him. He didn't disappear in a big game against a very good offensive line. The Bears used 3 of the first 4 picks in last years draft of offense, all 3 of which are not starting. The Bears need a pass rush, this guy will help provide it.
Leonard Floyd of UGA is also another to watch. Jerermy Pruitt has him playing MLB this season as well as OLB. He is another freak athlete with great size and speed. My concern with him has always been how skinny he has looked but he put on weight this season and not lost any of his speed.
Just looking over prospect lists more generally and reading up on people..... is it me or are a LOT of the top 50ish prospects juniors this year? Certainly seems the vast majority are, im looking around thinking where the hell are all the seniors? Is this standing out to anyone else? This isn't exactly normal is it, or is it becoming the new normal? I get these kids want to get paid, but in the wider scheme is this hurting the NFL product? In terms of physical development and maturity you'd think there's an impact to some degree. But in terms of refined playing technique and football/scheme/playbook knowledge surely there is a sizable impact no? Aren't many of these kids hurting their chances ultimately? How many talents are not being maximised cos these kids didn't give themselves the chance to develop and hone their game before they got to the pros?
That's really interesting Ev. I would think that maturity is a huge factor in the development of a young athlete.
Yes but look at the flip side how many never even made it to the NFL because they got injured in their final year, and probably fell down on the draft board or even off of it after doing so thereby affecting their chances for a big payday? Yes there are always some that could of used an extra year in school to maximize their value and ascend up the boards, but that begs the question they must ask themselves, "do you feel lucky"?
Patg, I know you are looking at QB's but with the Bears looking at worst another top 10 pick and quite possibly a top 5 pick, I can't stop looking at the top defensive players likely to be in this draft: Robert Nkemdiche Myles Jack Jaylon Smith Joey Bosa Leonard Floyd I think all will be impact players in the NFL and all fit a need. I know Jack is injured but to me, just as important to finding that franchise QB is finding that next great Bears MLB to lead the defense. The MLB is critical to the success of this defense and right now, we have absolutely nothing at the position. I just don't see that QB right now that is the answer. I know you and other like Cook and I do as well, just not with a top 10 pick. I could still be swayed on that but right now those 5 I listed above are just better players and right now, as much as the Bears need a QB, they also need impact players.
Right now with D, its NKemdiche or Bosa. Myles Jack just tore his ACL and is out for the year. Tore it in practice Thursday. He's off the list, likely going back to school next year, which would be his Senior year? I don't know what he is now. If he's a senior, very likely he gets 5th year senior. Jaylon Smith (ND) and Floyd (UGA) are studs. But the bears dont have a pass rush. Smith would be useless/face a gigantic uphill battle. A team like the Packers needs him. Where they dont have to worry about the 5 techs or NT or rush LB. Its gotta be Nkemdiche or Bosa. These guys are blue chip 5 techs with rare talents. Also I think it depends on what Pace's game plan is. If the plan is to get rid of Jay--then its a QB unless Nkemdiche/Bosa blow away the competition and Cook/Goff slow up. If the plan is to keep Jay; its defense or offensive line. If you were going to look at OT, Tunsil and Stanley are both solid LT prospects. Outside of previous hip issues, which it looks like Tunsil is over, this kid looks like a future HOF OT. With an OT round 1, you can go back round 2 and look at the QB route. Truth be told right now, I dont think any QB available right now is a home run, but if you made me choose it'd be Cook. Right now biggest needs: DE, OLB, CB, OT, ILB, S, and then QB.
I agree completely which is why I would stay away from the QB's. I just don't see a guy in this draft so far that stands out, therefore, like you said, I would look for one in the second or third round. The Bears have got to stop wasting first round picks. It makes me sick everytime I think we were one pick away from getting Aaron Donald and Leonard Williams in the last two drafts but instead ended up with Kyle Fuller and Kevin White. I said this in the other thread, I have no idea what his gameplan is right now. All I know, is if you don't have one of the top 10 QB's in the league, you better have a damn good defense. The Bears have neither right now and it will be easier to build a good defense than to reach for a possible next great QB with a top pick.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1003619/bears-scouts-watch-cal-qb-jared-goff So it looks like the Bears are closely watching Goff. For those who are asking why I have reservations about Conor Cook in the first round (maybe 2nd or 3rd but not first) please see his game today against Purdue. I can't get excited about any of these potential QB's yet. All of them have too many question marks, definitely no Andrew Luck out there, no sure thing.
Been paying attention to Cook more, but that's wierd. I dont buy Goff either. Reminds me of Colt Brennan from Hawaii a few years back--broke records in air raid, had great arm, great accuracy. Couldn't do more than 1 read at the NFL level--which is why many college guys dont make it. Cook wasn't spectacular--and after talking with some people over this--I dont want a QB, but I think the bears do. I want to go back to spectacular defenses. That starts with one of the premier defensive players at the top of the draft. Watched Bama/Georgia after NU beat up on Minnesota yesterday (sorry Aggie). Was very impressed with how Georgia used your guy Floyd early in the game. He would shift all over the place and make Bama's left side of the OLine respect him. Every time Bama would run off the OT Floyd would force them back inside and that ILB Kimbo or Rambo or Rimbo (I forgot his name) was where he was supposed to be. Take note, Shame. Then Alabama took them behind the woodshed. Very impressed with Georgia's LG - C - RG combo. Are any of those 3 draft eligible? Bears need a RG. They paved lanes for Chubb. Did Joe DeCamillis take a job at GA? What the fuck happended to their special teams? My guys on NU on defense are dogs right now. They got a shot at the B1G west or legends or whatever conference. Toughest test of the season is next week in Ann Arbor. No Ohio State or MSU for my cats. Tyler Lancaster (RS So) and Dean Lowry (Senior) dominate the LOS. Lowry reminds me a lot of former successful NU Alum Luis Castillo (longtime Chargers' 5 tech). Great 3-4 round prospect. Right now its still Nkemdiche and Bosa for 1-2 for me. I've begun my big write up for what I'm looking for round-by-round and prospects I'm looking at especially outside QBs. If you dont like offensive and defensive linemen--you probably will be bored.
Is Cook limited by a lack of talent surrounding him? Having never watched him other than a highlight reel, I wouldn't know. He seems to have great pocket presence and an ability to extend plays and throw accurately on the run. I'm curious how good he is at going through all of his progressions and identifying the correct throwing lane. And why don't you want a QB or just not in the first round? I don't know how anyone can stomach another season of shitwad and Emu under center.
That game made me want to puick yesterday, absolutely disgraceful performance. That's what happens when you have to start a reject from Virginia at QB. Back to Floyd, this guy would be perfect for Fangio. I love the way Jeremy Pruitt is using him. He reminds me a lot of Aldon Smith at times. He has put on weight and could probably still put on more, freakish athlete. ST's have always been an issue at UGA, not sure why but Richt puts very litte emphasis on the importance and they have paid dearly for it. Georgia's offensive line has been road graders this year. I wish they had a running QB on the roster and would just abandon the pass with the garbage they have at QB. I told you last season that I like David Andrews as a pro. Well, we used a 3rd round pick on a Center who hasn't played a lick and David Andrews went undrafted and is starting for the New England Patriots. Brady loves him. My point with that is, UGA has been turning out some really good offensive lineman and this year shouldn't be any different. Brandon Kublanow played Guard last year and moved to Center this year. Could easily go back but his size might make him a better fit at Center in the NFL Isaiah Wynn is only a Sophmore so he won't be eligible. Now Greg Pyke is the guy to watch. Big guy who would look outstanding next to Kyle Long. Forte might want to come back and run behind those two next season. Unless you want to take him in the top 10, don't think he will be there in the second round. If somehow he drops and he might since he is a guard, I would jump all over him.
I don't know about Patg, but I don't see a top 10 pick worthy QB in this draft. The second round is a different story. There are some guys that look decent, i.e. Cook and Goff but the defensive players available look like flat out studs and since we pissed away a #7 pick this year on a WR, the Bears need to take the stud defensive player. If Pace truly drafts BPA (which is why I'm told we drafted White) then he won't draft a QB in the first round if we have a top 10 pick. I am with you Blang but I don't want them to force it either. Drafting the wrong guy in the first round can set you back as far as drafting the right guy can push you forward. Cook and Goff "may" be good which is why you look at them in the second or third in my opinion.
I plan on watching more of Goff as I have not seen as much as I would like of him but now that the Bears appear to be taking a very close look I want to know more. I have only seen a few plays of games he has played because Cal has not been relevant but it appears this year they might. Like Patg, I have hesitations about because of the system he plays in. My other hesitation is if you watch his highlight films, he makes big plays holding onto the ball. It is very rarely a drop back and throw. He appears to have very good athletic ability which is a huge plus and has good arm strength, two things you can't teach. The two knocks on him that I have seen are he has happy feet and doesn't look comfortable in the pocket. Also appears to hold onto the ball which will get you killed on the NFL level and also tells me he isn't making quick reads. Other thing is the kid is a bean pole. Has great height at 6'4 but weighs 205. Needs to put on some weight.
