2025 NFL Draft Thread

[cblaz11]

When I see a guy with great measurables, traits, and low production..I don’t think about his potential, I think about his lack of instincts. Then, you toss in his miss tackle rate….this guy goes top 12, he’ll get a GM in hot water.

[G08]

I think you will see some movement in the bottom half of R1, and I think you will see more trades in rounds 2 and 3 than usual. But R1 is going to go pretty close to its order.

Agreed -- I also get the sense if you manage to trade down from the top ten, you'll be getting "pennies" on the dollar.

[Moriarty]

The last mock draft in the Athletic (4/9) isn't a great scenario for us IMO. Top 9 of:
1 - Ward
2 - Hunter
3 - Graham
4 - Carter
5 - Cambell
6 - Jeanty
7 - Membou
8 - McMillan
9 - Warren

This one has us taking Shemar Stewart, which is an absolute no for me. If this was the way the draft laid out, I would probably want to trade down. Say in this scenario you absolutely couldn't find a trade down partner, who would you take? I don't see any other OL that wouldn't be a reach. I wish there were more DL that I thought were worth it, but I don't see the fit for a lot of them.
My top guys would be:
- Mykel Williams - I think he has the size that fits the 4-3 moreso than some of the other edges.
- Colston Loveland - I don't think he's far behind Warren

I have questions about fit on other guys that are talented enough to be taken at #10 like Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell, Mike Green. Kenneth Grant is too inconsistent for me to take that high. One darkhorse, Nick Emmanwori at S. I love his physical traits, but I know there are questions about his consistency.

What would you do in this scenario?

It's just awful for the Bears

Between

Need
Positional Value
Player Quality

nothing lines up well at all.


Grant, Emmanwori, Loveland, Williams, Walker, Jihaad, Nolan, Stewart...I dunno.

I lean towards Grant because it's a need, a decent floor, Planet Theory, and gravitational pull, I guess.

Oh, and Will Johnson.

I didn't like him skipping workouts, and they may or may not be optimistic about Stevenson, but he's really good at an important position.

[G08]

When I see a guy with great measurables, traits, and low production..I don’t think about his potential, I think about his lack of instincts. Then, you toss in his miss tackle rate….this guy goes top 12, he’ll get a GM in hot water.

I'm asking this genuinely / not like an asshole: Have you watched him play?

[Bearfacts]

Stewart is a swing for the fences. It's all about perspective.

If you grade to the flashes and like him as a prospect, he's a calculated risk.
If you don't, he's a gamble.

The two places NFL teams will nearly always gamble on physical gifts over production are edge rusher and tight end.

100% swing for the fences with the added caveat that he would be entering the league as a solid run/edge defender.

And there are probably a half dozen other DE in this draft who are also solid against the run AND who have better production as pass rushers and none of them are gonna cost anywhere near a top ten pick. Shemar Stewart is a 100% bet on upside.

No matter how well he may play the run if after 3 years as a pro all he has to show for it is 4.5 sacks I would think the team who drafted him would regret spending a high draft pick on him and in all likelihood they would not be exercising their 5th year option.

I'll go with the Bill Parcell's theory. Production matters and if you start making exceptions for whatever reason you can justify eventually what you end up with is a team full of exceptions. We've been down that road before. Let's not do it again.

[alexwilkins]

That’s an interesting, and accurate, tweet. With the belief that Graham and Jeanty won’t be there, and we are NOT trading up, there’s ten guys I’d be okay with leaving the first round with.

Will Campbell - Tackle, LSU
Josh Simmons - Tackle, Ohio State
Kelvin Banks Jr. - Tackle, Texas
Tyler Booker - Guard, Alabama
Donovan Jackson - OL, Ohio State
Omarion Hampton - RB, North Carolina
Nick Emmanwori - SS, South Carolina
Mykel Williams - DE, Georgia
James Pearce Jr. - DE, Tennessee
Kenneth Grant - DT, Michigan

Banks Jr. and Campbell are my 1a and 1b. I do lean Banks because of his playoff experience. On the flip side, if you like Simmons, Conerly, or Ersery, they’re going to be there #16-32 so there’s no need to move up that high.

[Bearfacts]

I think you will see some movement in the bottom half of R1, and I think you will see more trades in rounds 2 and 3 than usual. But R1 is going to go pretty close to its order.

Agreed -- I also get the sense if you manage to trade down from the top ten, you'll be getting "pennies" on the dollar.

No, you just won't see as many trades. If teams can't manage a trade to where they believe a player should go they'll either take their BPA at that spot or take the player they want more anyway. No GM is gonna make a trade for a fraction of what that trade is worth. For example; Poles is not gonna trade #10 with Indy for their #14 pick worth 44 points for Indy's 5th round pick worth 12 points which is what you seem to imply.

It could well be that in a draft where so many players are rated so closely teams may not even feel they're over drafting the player they really want. They'll simply see value as they choose to see it. I can't speak for other teams GMs put Poles has a habit of trading to gain more picks. I would think he'll look to do the same again.

[cblaz11]

When I see a guy with great measurables, traits, and low production..I don’t think about his potential, I think about his lack of instincts. Then, you toss in his miss tackle rate….this guy goes top 12, he’ll get a GM in hot water.

I'm asking this genuinely / not like an asshole: Have you watched him play?

Watch this…I don’t know if he won 5 snaps in this game




This is a full game..you can honestly look at this game and think…there’s a top 10 pick. He’s consistently out of position, over pursuing, or getting blown off the ball. All that speed and you never saw it flash in this game..he’s slower than Dextor off the ball. This guys stats match his ability..the only outlier is his combine numbers.

Btw, as bad as this game was, this was one of his more productive games lol

[Heinz D.]

Overall, Stewart needs to mature his rush efficiency and finishing skills, but he has a rare combination of talent and motor to
be a game-wrecker against both the pass and the run. His best football is ahead of him

GRADE: 1st round (No. 9 overall)

21 years old
0 character concerns
Plays with a non-stop motor

IF -- and this is a huge IF -- Dennis Allen has a plan for him and knows how to get the most production possible out of this kid, you have to take him at #10.

If he doesn't like him, or if he thinks he lacks fundamental instincts which he can never learn, etc, then you pass on him all day.

If it's me, I would rather draft someone like him -- homerun potential -- than a Kelvin Banks Jr. at #10 (and I don't hate Kelvin Banks Jr.).


Mykel Williams is another name at EDGE but I don't see that elite ceiling (YMMV).

Ohhh...I get it now. Brugler's an idiot. Good to know.

Mykel Williams is a MUCH better prospect than Stewart, dude...

[Staley]

I can't wait for the draft. So many articles are written for shock value, to get the "clicks," despite being downright stupid.

SI.com had another questionable article today written by Gene Chamberlain.

According to him, the following nine players would be a "reach" and a foolish selection by Poles at #10.

I highly disagree with most of the players he lists as being overrated. Some future stars on that list would be solid selections at #10.

1. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
2. DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
3. RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
4. DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
5. DE Mike Green, Marshall
6. T Kelvin Banks
7. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
8. CB Jahdea Barron, Texas
9. CB Will Johnson, Michigan

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/picks-who- ... 10-overall

[G08]

I'm asking this genuinely / not like an asshole: Have you watched him play?

Watch this…I don’t know if he won 5 snaps in this game




This is a full game..you can honestly look at this game and think…there’s a top 10 pick. He’s consistently out of position, over pursuing, or getting blown off the ball. All that speed and you never saw it flash in this game..he’s slower than Dextor off the ball. This guys stats match his ability..the only outlier is his combine numbers.

Btw, as bad as this game was, this was one of his more productive games lol

He was 19 and a Freshman lol... I haven't watched much of any of his 2022 "tape".

Here's something for you:

"Stewart's 88.2 run-defense grade in 2024 ranked fifth among all edge defenders, per Pro Football Focus, with only Marshall's Mike Green posting a higher mark (90.2) among projected first rounders.

Stewart logged just 106 true pass sets last season, ranking 74th in the draft class, which could explain some of his lack of sack production."

"Stewart had only 4.5 sacks in three seasons, but his time to first pressure this past season (2.43 seconds) was No. 1 in the FBS. He is a toolsy prospect who has rushed off the edge and inside and could be a better pro than college player,"

[cblaz11]

Bro…you gotta stop using stats to make your argument. Stats lie…

Watch the tape…the tape never lies



Missed tackles, slow off the snap…lack of Instincts…plays wayyyyy to upright

[G08]

Unless Dennis Allen hates him or Ben Johnson demands a TE or OL (assuming Jeanty is gone), this is my pick.

Derrick Harmon a very, very close second.

[G08]

Bro…you gotta stop using stats to make your argument. Stats lie…

Watch the tape…the tape never lies



Missed tackles, slow off the snap…lack of Instincts…plays wayyyyy to upright

I have

He needs to better wrapping up and playing a bit more under control, but everything he lacks you can coach (except for his bend, he's a touch stiff but still damned good).

Dennis Allen wants disruptors on his front 4, this kid is an ass kicker.

The point I'm annoyingly trying to make is how poorly he was used and how his athleticism/traits would be an outstanding fit in a Dennis Allen defense.

[Heinz D.]

I can't wait for the draft. So many articles are written for shock value, to get the "clicks," despite being downright stupid.

SI.com had another questionable article today written by Gene Chamberlain.

According to him, the following nine players would be a "reach" and a foolish selection by Poles at #10.

I highly disagree with most of the players he lists as being overrated. Some future stars on that list would be solid selections at #10.

1. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
2. DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
3. RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
4. DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
5. DE Mike Green, Marshall
6. T Kelvin Banks
7. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
8. CB Jahdea Barron, Texas
9. CB Will Johnson, Michigan

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/picks-who- ... 10-overall

Everybody on that list would be talented enough to pick at #10 (in a vacuum) except Stewart. The Bears should only be interested in Hampton, Williams, Green, and Banks. Still some wonderful options.

Dennis Allen wants disruptors on his front 4, this kid is an ass kicker.

The point I'm annoyingly trying to make is how poorly he was used and how his athleticism/traits would be an outstanding fit in a Dennis Allen defense.

Are you really saying that Stewart is obviously better than Mike Green and Mykel Williams? Princely Umanmielen? Or T.J. whatever the fuck it is from Ohio State?

Because I'm not seeing it. At all.

[G08]

I can't wait for the draft. So many articles are written for shock value, to get the "clicks," despite being downright stupid.

SI.com had another questionable article today written by Gene Chamberlain.

According to him, the following nine players would be a "reach" and a foolish selection by Poles at #10.

I highly disagree with most of the players he lists as being overrated. Some future stars on that list would be solid selections at #10.

1. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
2. DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
3. RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
4. DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
5. DE Mike Green, Marshall
6. T Kelvin Banks
7. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
8. CB Jahdea Barron, Texas
9. CB Will Johnson, Michigan

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/picks-who- ... 10-overall

Everybody on that list would be talented enough to pick at #10 (in a vacuum) except Stewart. The Bears should only be interested in Hampton, Williams, Green, and Banks. Still some wonderful options.

Dennis Allen wants disruptors on his front 4, this kid is an ass kicker.

The point I'm annoyingly trying to make is how poorly he was used and how his athleticism/traits would be an outstanding fit in a Dennis Allen defense.

Are you really saying that Stewart is obviously better than Mike Green and Mykel Williams? Princely Umanmielen? Or T.J. whatever the fuck it is from Ohio State?

Because I'm not seeing it. At all.

That's tough. I like Mike Green a lot but he comes with character concerns and his size doesn't fit what Dennis Allen typically likes out of an EDGE.

I like Mykel Williams but he doesn't wow me (like I said, in the top 10 I want a Ferrari). I wouldn't hate Williams if he was the pick though, kid is still young and by all accounts has outstanding character.

In my mind, it boils down to what will I miss at pick 39 or 41 that I can get at #10? To me it's an EDGE with elite athleticism. RB we have choices, TE we have choices, OL we have choices.

I want to swing for the fences at #10 and, hell, if I'm nervous I can double down later in the draft (not ideal but it's a hedge). At minimum, this kid can be an edge setter and Allen can find ways to free up lanes for him to explode to the QB.


This might be wasted energy because we probably won't draft him, but at this point "I'm in too deep"

[wab]

I personally don’t think Mykel Williams is going to be any good.

[Bearfacts]

I'm asking this genuinely / not like an asshole: Have you watched him play?

Watch this…I don’t know if he won 5 snaps in this game




This is a full game..you can honestly look at this game and think…there’s a top 10 pick. He’s consistently out of position, over pursuing, or getting blown off the ball. All that speed and you never saw it flash in this game..he’s slower than Dextor off the ball. This guys stats match his ability..the only outlier is his combine numbers.

Btw, as bad as this game was, this was one of his more productive games lol

Yup, all of that and more. If Arkansas' TE could push him around what in the hell is gonna happen when he goes up against some really good NFL blockers. I don't see anything that would make me turn in his draft card. He played slow and lazy on every snap and missed tackles he should've nailed. It was worse than I imagined. If he gets taken high I'd give him the J'Marcus Russell PR award for all of the hype he's getting. He sucked big time.

[Bearfacts]

Watch this…I don’t know if he won 5 snaps in this game




This is a full game..you can honestly look at this game and think…there’s a top 10 pick. He’s consistently out of position, over pursuing, or getting blown off the ball. All that speed and you never saw it flash in this game..he’s slower than Dextor off the ball. This guys stats match his ability..the only outlier is his combine numbers.

Btw, as bad as this game was, this was one of his more productive games lol

He was 19 and a Freshman lol... I haven't watched much of any of his 2022 "tape".

Here's something for you:

"Stewart's 88.2 run-defense grade in 2024 ranked fifth among all edge defenders, per Pro Football Focus, with only Marshall's Mike Green posting a higher mark (90.2) among projected first rounders.

Stewart logged just 106 true pass sets last season, ranking 74th in the draft class, which could explain some of his lack of sack production."

"Stewart had only 4.5 sacks in three seasons, but his time to first pressure this past season (2.43 seconds) was No. 1 in the FBS. He is a toolsy prospect who has rushed off the edge and inside and could be a better pro than college player,"

Right there is a major tell. If this kid has top pass rushing skills why was he used so infrequently as a pass rusher even at A&M? Maybe the time it took for him to bring pressure ranked high in college but how does that rank in the NFL when he'll be up against much better blocking and QBs often get the ball away much faster?

He's a traits based kid who some team is gonna hope they can teach to hunt QBs. He may have huge upside or he may never achieve it but the kid is no Myles Garrett or Julius Peppers or any other big fast DE we've seen coming out of college whose assured of being a top five pick. As a pass rusher he's a gamble.

I would hope we steer clear of him but that's up to Poles, Johnson, and Dennis Allen.

[Mikefive]

I think you will see some movement in the bottom half of R1, and I think you will see more trades in rounds 2 and 3 than usual. But R1 is going to go pretty close to its order.

Agreed -- I also get the sense if you manage to trade down from the top ten, you'll be getting "pennies" on the dollar.

This really feels like a trade out of the 10 spot draft to me and many others I suppose. And that trade could go up or down. Point well taken about trading down, but that still could be worth it, even if you're falling quite short of the pick value chart. My gut tells me that Poles will be looking to trade up, particularly if Mason Graham drops more than expected.

I could see them taking Ashton Jeanty at 10, but I kinda hope they don't. From the tape I've seen (not enough, but still) my favorite "value" player in this draft is Treveyon Henderson in early R2 (which may not happen, of course). I think that's a better value than Jeanty at 10. I just love Henderson's game and low miles and think BJ would have a lot of fun with that guy.

[Bearfacts]

Bro…you gotta stop using stats to make your argument. Stats lie…

Watch the tape…the tape never lies



Missed tackles, slow off the snap…lack of Instincts…plays wayyyyy to upright

I have

He needs to better wrapping up and playing a bit more under control, but everything he lacks you can coach (except for his bend, he's a touch stiff but still damned good).

Dennis Allen wants disruptors on his front 4, this kid is an ass kicker.

The point I'm annoyingly trying to make is how poorly he was used and how his athleticism/traits would be an outstanding fit in a Dennis Allen defense.

R U kidding me? He got "handled" again this game by their LT and when he did break on the QB he flat out missed a sack he should've had. I didn't see any great run defense either other than being one of the last to the pile. To me he's the football equivalent of a "cock tease". What you think you may get isn't the same as what you do get.

[Staley]

The more tape I see of this guy, the more impressed I am.

My top three in order of preference for the #10 pick would be:
1. Armand Membou (I think he can make the switch from RT to LT)
2. Kelvin Banks Jr. (Probably the safest option in this year's draft for LT)
I'm very concerned that our investment in the OL will be awash if we don't have a top-notch OLT ready to take over for Braxton.
3. Omarion Hampton
If we cannot get one of the 2 OTs, we should wait until round 2 for the best available and draft a skill player to add to the war chest for Johnson to use. Jeanty will be long gone. Prefer a trade back to pick up Hampton, but if no trade is available, I'm fine drafting him at #10. The man is going to punish defenses.

[RichH55]

I'm asking this genuinely / not like an asshole: Have you watched him play?

Watch this…I don’t know if he won 5 snaps in this game




This is a full game..you can honestly look at this game and think…there’s a top 10 pick. He’s consistently out of position, over pursuing, or getting blown off the ball. All that speed and you never saw it flash in this game..he’s slower than Dextor off the ball. This guys stats match his ability..the only outlier is his combine numbers.

Btw, as bad as this game was, this was one of his more productive games lol

Someone already noted this was 2022 right (either way)?

[RichH55]

The more tape I see of this guy, the more impressed I am.

My top three in order of preference for the #10 pick would be:
1. Armand Membou (I think he can make the switch from RT to LT)
2. Kelvin Banks Jr. (Probably the safest option in this year's draft for LT)
I'm very concerned that our investment in the OL will be awash if we don't have a top-notch OLT ready to take over for Braxton.
3. Omarion Hampton
If we cannot get one of the 2 OTs, we should wait until round 2 for the best available and draft a skill player to add to the war chest for Johnson to use. Jeanty will be long gone. Prefer a trade back to pick up Hampton, but if no trade is available, I'm fine drafting him at #10. The man is going to punish defenses.

On Point 3 - I swear this is not me under another name

[RichH55]

He was 19 and a Freshman lol... I haven't watched much of any of his 2022 "tape".

Here's something for you:

"Stewart's 88.2 run-defense grade in 2024 ranked fifth among all edge defenders, per Pro Football Focus, with only Marshall's Mike Green posting a higher mark (90.2) among projected first rounders.

Stewart logged just 106 true pass sets last season, ranking 74th in the draft class, which could explain some of his lack of sack production."

"Stewart had only 4.5 sacks in three seasons, but his time to first pressure this past season (2.43 seconds) was No. 1 in the FBS. He is a toolsy prospect who has rushed off the edge and inside and could be a better pro than college player,"

Right there is a major tell. If this kid has top pass rushing skills why was he used so infrequently as a pass rusher even at A&M? Maybe the time it took for him to bring pressure ranked high in college but how does that rank in the NFL when he'll be up against much better blocking and QBs often get the ball away much faster?

He's a traits based kid who some team is gonna hope they can teach to hunt QBs. He may have huge upside or he may never achieve it but the kid is no Myles Garrett or Julius Peppers or any other big fast DE we've seen coming out of college whose assured of being a top five pick. As a pass rusher he's a gamble.

I would hope we steer clear of him but that's up to Poles, Johnson, and Dennis Allen.

It should be noted that Texas A&M Coaching from the last few years isn't exactly skipping the waiting period to be in the Hall of Fame

[RichH55]

I personally don’t think Mykel Williams is going to be any good.

Judging from his 2022 tape right?

[thunderspirit]

The more tape I see of this guy, the more impressed I am.

My top three in order of preference for the #10 pick would be:
1. Armand Membou (I think he can make the switch from RT to LT)
2. Kelvin Banks Jr. (Probably the safest option in this year's draft for LT)
I'm very concerned that our investment in the OL will be awash if we don't have a top-notch OLT ready to take over for Braxton.
3. Omarion Hampton
If we cannot get one of the 2 OTs, we should wait until round 2 for the best available and draft a skill player to add to the war chest for Johnson to use. Jeanty will be long gone. Prefer a trade back to pick up Hampton, but if no trade is available, I'm fine drafting him at #10. The man is going to punish defenses.

I see Membou as a guard. (I know I'm in the minority with that view, and I accept that.)

I like Banks a lot.

Nothing wrong with Hampton, he'd be more than fine as a Bear. If I'm picking a favorite Day 2 back, though, my guy is Quinshon Judkins.

[Bearfacts]

The Barroom Network Gabriel Talks Football hosted Dane Brugler as todays guest. Worth a watch.

[Shadow]

Ryan Pace says "Hold my Beer"!

OK.....how many other NFL GMs like to play Russian Roulette with their top pick?

Knock...Knock....Uhm, Hello Mr. Poles, can I have a word with you about your number 1 pick over all? Who am I? Scott Fitterer GM of the Panthers.

[cblaz11]

Night and day vs Shemar…

They kick him inside way too often but they do it because of his strength.

This is vs Texas…not Arkansas lol

He as a captain at GA, and he’s ONLY 20 years old!!

You see him impact the game on what…11 plays here? The Stewart game, I saw 1 play…and that 1 is a gift.