NEWSLETTER
Seeing Dane Brugler’s annual drop of “The Beast” is kin to hearing a doorbell ring on Christmas Day in that I get filled with the same type of excitement because I know something wonderful awaits.
And since the Chicago Bears have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the first thing I did was race to “The Beast” to read what Brugler had to say about Caleb Williams. As you might expect, Brugler writes glowingly about the USC quarterback who ranks as the top prospect at the most important position in the game. The Williams section has more than 700 words on the QB prospect, features his stats, strengths, weaknesses, biographical information, and background notes. In other words, it is a thorough presentation of who the Bears are getting with the No. 1 pick — should they choose to go the safe and obvious route. For me, this is must-read stuff.
With that being said, this is where I nudge you to support someone’s quality work with a subscription because you can tell Brugler has put in a ton of work (as he always does) with The Beast. And while I want you to read it all with your own eyes, I also wanted to share this from “The Beast’s” 233-word wrap-up summary about Caleb Williams:
Overall, Williams needs to be more consistent working on-schedule from the pocket, but you live with the hiccups because the positives are special with his dynamic passing skills and instinctive ability to create. Though stylistically he is like a really impressive karaoke-style version of Patrick Mahomes, he is truly unique as a playmaker.
A “karaoke-style version of Patrick Mahomes” is the most fun comp you’ll get from anyone and put on anyone … maybe ever. And it’s Caleb Williams who gets it.
Again, “The Beast” is a must-read for NFL fans and draft nerds among us. Passages like the one above represent only a snapshot of the kind of football goodness you get from Brugler’s annual release.
What about Bears targets who aren’t Caleb Williams?
Jumping to the Caleb Williams section was going to be an obvious starting point for us. But then I found myself wondering about what Brugler had to say about other potential Chicago Bears targets.
I won’t go through all of them right now. But here is a selection of prospects the Bears have been linked to in the pre-draft process:
MALIK NABERS, LSU WR — Nabers has only average size/strength, but he offers dynamic potential, because of his ability to accelerate/decelerate on command and always make himself available with his athletic catch-point skills. He projects as a playmaking receiver in the NFL.
CHECK IT OUT: I Think You’re Going to Love This Description of Malik Nabers
ROME ODUNZE, WASHINGTON WR — Odunze is an above- average height/weight/speed athlete with the pass-catching instincts and competitive focus to be a playmaking NFL receiver. He projects as a true X receiver and has the skill level to elevate his quarterback’s play (stylistically similar to Drake London).
MORE: Are Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze Destined For Chicago?
XAVIER WORTHY, TEXAS WR — Worthy doesn’t have ideal size, toughness or play strength, but his dynamic speed and playmaking instincts make him a threat as both a wide receiver and return man. He doesn’t have the body of work of DeSean Jackson, but he teases similar flashes.
JOE ALT, NOTRE DAME OT — Alt stays light on his feet with the big-man agility, body control and instinctive recovery skills to become a high-level run blocker and above-average pass protector very early in this NFL career. He projects as a first-year, scheme-versatile starter with the pedigree to be a cornerstone player for an NFL franchise (he is Jake Matthews in Nate Solder’s body).
JC LATHAM, ALABAMA OT — Latham needs to clean up his inconsistent (yet fixable) habits, but he offers elite play strength and functional football movements to stay square and overmatch his opponent. He is an ascending prospect with the talent to win a starting right tackle job as an NFL rookie, although some teams project him best inside at guard.
TROY FAUTANU, WASHINGTON OL — Fautanu is explosive on the move and at contact with the foot quickness, body control and temperament to stack wins in both pass protection and as a run blocker in the NFL. While he has the talent to remain at tackle, his skill set also projects well to guard and center and he offers legitimate five-position potential at the next level.
DALLAS TURNER, ALABAMA EDGE — Turner is a long, explosive edge rusher with the body twitch, hand usage and play strength to leverage blocks and be disruptive in multiple ways. He has the freaky tools to be a potential impact player in the NFL who should continue to improve as his body and rush attack mature.
PROSPECT VISIT TRACKER: Dallas Turner Has Visited the Bears
JARED VERSE, FLORIDA STATE EDGE — Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class, because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter (reminiscent of eight-year NFL veteran Dante Fowler).
My main takeaway from my cursory reading of “The Beast” is that the Chicago Bears are in a good spot owning a pair of top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. It truly is a fun time to be a Bears fan. Hopes are high and a path to better days is right here in front of us.
This team is tremendously fortunate to be in a position to draft Caleb Williams first overall. I’m not sure if the Bears have sent the Carolina Panthers a “thank you” basket for their efforts that allowed this to happen. But maybe Bears fans can piece together a Chicago-centric care packages for friends in the Carolinas. Some pizzas, Italian beef sandwiches, a bottle of Malört, a six-pack of Old Style, and some Fannie May chocolates should do the trick. Maybe throw in some White Sox tickets and a free milkshake for their troubles.
For more from Dane Brugler and “The Beast” check out the tweet embedded below:
