We’re at the sweet spot of the NFL calendar, when mock drafts are an equal blend between (1) simply putting prospects on our radar, (2) educated guesses, and (3) actual, informed speculation. But as we get closer to the NFL Draft (which is just 10 days away!), we’ll start seeing some consensus building. We might not be able to connect precise names to certain teams just yet, but we’ll begin getting a better idea of the various position groups and athletic build profiles teams are planning to target.
And when it comes to the Chicago Bears, it sure seems like we can start pegging them to pick in the trenches.
At least, those are the vibes I’m picking up on the latest run of mock drafts.
Dane Brugler’s 7-Round Behemoth Targets the Trenches
Over at The Athletic, a seven-round monster of a mock draft conducted by Dane Brugler has the Bears taking offensive or defensive linemen with six picks. That includes three of their first four selections. Tell me the Bears have the desire to get it right at the line of scrimmage without saying those precise words.
Here’s what Brugler’s mock looks like:
The Bears have been all over the map when it comes to Carter. So much so that I’m almost ready to conclude he’ll be the Bears’ pick if available at No. 9. If his off-the-field questions were met with suitable answers, then I am willing to allow myself to see it through with Carter. It’s an awfully significant risk GM Ryan Poles would be taking if that ends up being his first-ever first-round pick. But the juice could be worth the squeeze. And I like seeing teams take on challenges. If that’s how the cookie crumbles, then so be it.
As for the rest of the selections, I love the variety. Addressing the trenches obviously gets a thumbs up from me. It is easy to envision the Bears plugging Bergeron into a starting role at right tackle. And you can see Wypler learning behind Cody Whitehair until the time comes. I’m even digging the skill position offensive adds in Hutchinson and Brown at positions the Bears have depth, but could use a youthful infusion.
I have questions about drafting the Cleveland Guardians third baseman to play edge, but I’ve always championed José as a hard-hitter.
This Mel Kiper Jr. Mock Draft Has the Bears Taking LSU Teammates
Taylor Swift has vocals on a track called “Two is Better Than One” and it came to mind when seeing Kiper send two LSU Tigers to Chicago in the second round of his latest mock draft. Maybe some of that has to do with me remembering an image of Swift wearing an LSU jersey with her lucky No. 13 on it exists. Or maybe not. Who’s to say? But I digress. After all, we’ve got trench talk to discuss.
Kiper takes Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright with the Bears’ first-round selection (which we discussed when the mock first dropped). But later, Kiper double dips on the defensive line with a pair of LSU products. First, it’s defensive end BJ Ojulari with the 53rd pick. And later, it is Tigers teammate (and defensive tackle) Jaquelin Roy. Or to put it differently, Kiper has the Bears taking three players who live in the trenches with their first three picks.
At this stage of the game, I doubt that is some coincidence. I’d even go as far as to suggest that the read here is that Kiper is hearing that the Bears are focusing on bolstering the offensive and defensive lines. And in turn, he is signaling with his picks what he is hearing from his sources. Sometimes, reading between the lines is as important as reading the lines.
Draft Roundup
“Ryan Poles’ greatest roster need is to stock the defensive front with edge rushers and at least one tackle. The strength of the draft if the Bears don’t find a partner to trade down is at offensive tackle — and Poles can more than justify adding protection for quarterback Justin Fields.”
No argument here. If the Bears are unable to trade down, then taking the best offensive lineman available is a perfectly cromulent solution. And if it isn’t Johnson, then Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) or Broderick Jones (Georgia) could make sense.
Drafting four players who do work in the trenches is going to get me to sign off on most mock drafts. Charbonnet could be a fun addition to the backfield. And I’ll admit I chuckled at the idea of Poles drafting a guy named Pace. Plus, you can’t go wrong with drafting an Illini player. That’ll make Papa Bear’s Force Ghost smile.
Skoronski was excellent as Rashawn Slater’s successor at Northwestern and has all the traits to be a successful lineman in the NFL. Known for his versatility (can play guard and has the ideal size to dominate there), Skoronski can start Week 1 and immediately improve a Chicago offensive line that needs to protect Justin Fields better. Eventually Skoronski will be a left tackle, but he may be better starting off at guard.
Usually, players don’t start inside and move out. Traditionally, it is the other way around. But we saw last year how fluid that situation could be with how Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom were shuffled around. So maybe we should be open to alternatives.