The rumors about what is going to happen at the NFL draft for the Chicago Bears and the rest of the other 31 teams are going to ramp up. I want everybody to remember that if it doesn't make sense, don't trust it.
Who have been the players rumored to have interest from the Chicago Bears? You could say all of them because Ryan Poles and company should do their due diligence, but they have to make it make sense. Before I get away from the overview of the prospects, let me add that quarterbacks tend to get first-round grades automatically. They are on a different grading scale. With that said, others have Cam Ward on their list of first-round graded players. Ok, players linked to the Bears:
- Mason Graham
- Will Cambell
- Ashton Jeanty
- Tyler Warren
- Will Johnson
- Kelvin Banks
- Walter Nolan
- Armand Membou
- Josh Simmons
- Omarion Hampton
- Grey Zabel
Side note: If Tyler Warren is the pick, remember you heard it first before any of the national media members brought it up. With the information that we have, it doesn't make sense for Mason Graham to fall to 10. Ashton Jeanty is somewhere (talent-wise) between Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson as a prospect.
Barkley was the second overall pick. Before we get into how much that made a difference for the Giants, let's remember he was still the player worth being the second overall pick. Barkley is a game-changer. Robinson was the seventh overall selection in a much more top-heavy draft class, and he was also worth his draft selection. Where does that put Jeanty, then? I will tell you. He will be gone before the 10th overall selection.
With those two players off the list, that leaves the tight end and a lot of interior offensive linemen, or the Bears would revert to the top list (their list) of other first-round graded players. Does a trade-down make sense? Yes, but you have to have a willing player open to moving up. I don't think Ryan Poles wants to move down because I believe he believes in his contingency plan. The question is, who will his contingency plan be if Tyler Warren isn't available?
The offensive linemen don't make much sense due to the additions the Chicago Bears have made. However, there is no proof that Joe Thuney will get an extension. Last year, I believed the media when they spoke about how Keenan Allen would get an extension because of the investment made in him. Thuney was also exchanged for a fourth-round draft pick. I don't know that Ryan Poles believes that those players need to be given an extension.
Poles didn't extend Chase Claypool or Allen. So, an offensive lineman for the future isn't out of the question, but a first-round guy sitting on the bench doesn't make the most sense. You can find one of those guys on day two. So, what positions can truly be upgraded this year in the first round? We have running back #2, tight end #2, speed rusher, strong-side linebacker, cornerback, safety, and nose tackle. That leaves us with these players from Kollman's list:
- Jahdae Barron
- Jihaad Cambell
- Malaki Starks
- Omarion Hampton
Reasons why my latest mock draft had Jahdae Barron going to the Chicago Bears with that 10th overall selection. He could be an upgrade at safety or cornerback. I believe he is a better safety than a cornerback, but that determination would come down to whichever teams draft him. Stay tuned for what true rumors come out to narrow the gap.
Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have attended the pro days for Texas and Ohio State but did not attend Georgia's. There is a difference between having Bears staff members attend and having both the GM and the head coach attend. Maybe it is Kelvin Banks, Josh Simmons, Jahade Barron, or even a sneaky pickup in the slot with Matthew Golden. We shall find out soon.