R4 P133: Tyler Scott, WR - Cincinnati

[Bearfacts]

I said it before he's a superb value pick here. His size may have had something to do with it but as he said himself he just wants to be seen as a great football player because he loves the game. This is the kind of guy the Bears should want to draft. He has the speed and hands to be a very good WR but it's his work ethic and desire to be the best he can be that make a difference.

I've read a ton of posts and comments about the need for the Bears to draft a WR because both Mooney and Claypool are coming into contract years. Spotrac is giving Mooney an AAV of nearly $15 mil on a new 4 year deal. Now that we have DJ Moore I can't see Poles paying anywhere near that so Mooney may well be gone in FA. Scott is likely to be his replacement on a rookie deal.

I like the player and I like the pick as a longer term strategic need.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

If Mooney puts up another 1,000 yard season $15m AAV for 4 years would be good value given how much WR get paid. DJ Moore's contract is very reasonable for the next 3 years, so there's no reason not to pay that sort of money for a proven receiver. It all comes down to how he and Claypool perform this year and what their market-value ultimately proves to be. It's far to early to tell.

It's nice to have some competition at the position for a change! May the best men win, whether that's Mooney, Claypool, Scott or even Jones. Whoever wins, the Bears should.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Ryan Cavanaugh on Tyler Scott: 'He's explosive' | Press Conference
Apr 29, 2023

Midwest area scout Ryan Cavanaugh addresses the media Saturday at Halas Hall to discuss the selection of Cincinnati receiver Tyler Scott with the 133rd pick.

https://www.chicagobears.com/video/ryan ... conference

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

A lot of people are saying this is one of the better picks for the Bears

Yeah, well that kind of depends on all the other picks by the Bears and I probably like 1 of those picks.

So exactly right - one of the better picks for the Bears ( n=2)

[HisRoyalSweetness]

A good read.

Colts 2023 Draft Interviews: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/draft/colt ... cincinnati

[HisRoyalSweetness]

[Rusty Trombagent]

There's also this.

it's such a funny thing to have multiple players be like "i cant wait to play with the chicago bears' quarterback."

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I can see what he means about his dad looking like Mike Singletary.

[IE]

A lot of people are saying this is one of the better picks for the Bears

Yeah, well that kind of depends on all the other picks by the Bears and I probably like 1 of those picks.

So exactly right - one of the better picks for the Bears ( n=2)

It is your position, as a serious person, that the Bears made 2 good picks?

[grendel2000]

At first blush this guy sounds a lot like Damiere Byrd. Similar physical traits for sure. Hoping Scott does more for us the Byrd did...

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Yeah, well that kind of depends on all the other picks by the Bears and I probably like 1 of those picks.

So exactly right - one of the better picks for the Bears ( n=2)

It is your position, as a serious person, that the Bears made 2 good picks?

1 or 2.
I like Darnell Wright and Tyrique Stevenson.
The others look like bust potential

[thunderspirit]

This one is surprisingly close both physically and play style.

https://ras.football/ras-compare/?&p1=2 ... 341&pos=WR

[dplank]

It's Day 3 TMP. At this point position doesn't matter. You just go for the guy you think has the best chance of amounting to something because most won't.

I saw a stat somewhere that the chances of landing a starter in R5 is about 20% and that drops by around 5% for each subsequent round. Obviously you can still land contributors who don't start, but it will be better to land a RB or WR who does that than ending up with a player at a position of need who does nothing.

I don't feel that WR6 or RB4 on our roster really matters when we have lack of depth on the OL and the DL. Nor do we have a credible developmental QB.

If Poles feels that these guys are magical steals that just dropped for some reason I'm all ears about that point of view.

It does seem like the RB is a good player but the sample size is so small nobody can say that for sure.

I like the LB pick because we need the depth and for special teams. I'm not seeing how the WR or RB contribute there.

Hopefully now that the draft will be over there will be some FA additions at C and DE.

Mooney and Claypool are both UFAs after this season. I see this as a very necessary pick.

[Rusty Trombagent]

If you think they're only going to re-sign one of Mooney and Claypool next year, this doesnt feel like it bodes well for Mooney.

[Shadow]

Was interesting to hear Dave Wannstadt's take on this pick, "Looks like the Bears are unsure about someone in their WR room. Someone is going to be left out."

[IE]

I thought there was a good chance Velus would take Mooney's job this year. Don't laugh - I don't mean Mooney's absurd 140 target job that is long gone. I'm talking about Mooney's WR3 Y stretching the field 18 ypc on 30 targets role that he was likely going to be put into with DJ and Pool being the top 2 guys.

But now with Scott yeah I agree this is a scud shot across Mooney's bow that he in no way is going to get north of $10MM from the Bears. They're not going to pay him at all. If you're going to be throwing deep to a Bear WR and expecting him to either get elite separation or get the YAC to the end zone, who do you want to throw to? If it is me first it is Velus. Then *maybe* (based on tape he might even be first) Scott. Then Mooney.

DJ WR1
Pool WR2
Velus/Scott/Mooney WR3 rotation
ESB WR4/blocking specialist
Pettis WRbreakglassincaseofemergency / PR

[Bearfacts]

If Mooney puts up another 1,000 yard season $15m AAV for 4 years would be good value given how much WR get paid. DJ Moore's contract is very reasonable for the next 3 years, so there's no reason not to pay that sort of money for a proven receiver. It all comes down to how he and Claypool perform this year and what their market-value ultimately proves to be. It's far to early to tell.

It's nice to have some competition at the position for a change! May the best men win, whether that's Mooney, Claypool, Scott or even Jones. Whoever wins, the Bears should.

I wouldn't deny that either but with both Moore and Claypool now onboard for an entire camp. pre-season, and regular season I'm thinking Mooney won't be used as much as he was when he was by default the #1 WR. I'm not wishing him gone by any means I'm just looking at the dollars and cents of if and the other factors involved. Claypool was a kid Poles traded a high 2nd round pick for and a terrific downfield blocker. Mooney was the 5th round pick of a previous GM and a willing blocker but much smaller.

Nothing is etched in stone and Poles will surely evaluate both Mooney and Claypool for extensions maybe even as early as this summer. It wouldn't shock me to see him offer extensions to both but it would surprise me to see either offered #1 kind of money. MV can change so I'm not fixated on $15 mil I'm only using the guesstimate Spotrac posted for Mooney. It seems high to me now but then the AAV of deals is rising as the cap also rises so where either falls in the scheme based on Poles valuations is unknown.

But all that aside I believe it's fair to see Tyler Scott more as a kid who has a similar skill set to Mooney and therefore not only a backup for him should Mooney not return 100% or if be gets injured again during the course of the year. ESB is more the same type as Claypool as a blocker just not as productive as a receiver. I like the group Poles has assembled. They have speed and different skill sets and it's the best and maybe the deepest WR core we've seen here in a decade or so. Fields now has better targets.

[thunderspirit]

But now with Scott yeah I agree this is a scud shot across Mooney's bow that he in no way is going to get north of $10MM from the Bears. They're not going to pay him at all.

I don't see it that way. They've talked glowingly of Mooney (though admittedly it's the same way they talked about Monty before he left, so grain of salt and all that) and I doubt they're unwilling to pay anyone who fits what they want and produces.

That said, Mooney's coming off a pretty severe ankle injury (I remember hearing there were torn ligaments, not just a high ankle sprain as the Bears first reported), so Scott absolutely could be a hedge against Mooney's health — his speed and route-running made him a standout guy, and ankle injuries can affect both of those.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

If you're going to be throwing deep to a Bear WR and expecting him to either get elite separation or get the YAC to the end zone, who do you want to throw to? If it is me first it is Velus. Then *maybe* (based on tape he might even be first) Scott. Then Mooney.

Hmm...





I tend to put more faith in players who have proven they can catch a deep ball first rather than those who have yet to do anything of note, especially those who have yet to take their first NFL snap.

Let the competition begin, retain those who produce and expect to pay the market rate for them when their contracts are up.

[IE]

Jesus ... Velus had a few early rookie yips and that one big drop and you want to make that the rule? You couldn't share his nice catch and big plays later in the season when he settled down a bit ? And you're going to pretend Mooney doesn't have drops or mistakes?

https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-wr-darne ... -ball-the-

THIS is why I'm souring on Mooney - because when Bear fans are doing the overly-loyal-for-no-good-reason dance I want that party to be over.

[thunderspirit]

You're using one play just like HRS is. How is that different?

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Jesus ... Velus had a few early rookie yips and that one big drop and you want to make that the rule? You couldn't share his nice catch and big plays later in the season when he settled down a bit ? And you're going to pretend Mooney doesn't have drops or mistakes?

https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-wr-darne ... -ball-the-

THIS is why I'm souring on Mooney - because when Bear fans are doing the overly-loyal-for-no-good-reason dance I want that party to be over.

It was simply a tongue-in-cheek way to illustrate that Mooney has a track-record of production and Jones simply does not at this point.

Mooney's caught 182 passes in the NFL. Jones has caught 7. Scott's NFL career hasn't even begun. I just find it absurd to make projections about Jones and Scott this early and to sour on Mooney who has proven himself to be a decent NFL WR.

Other WR with Mooney's level of production have been getting paid $15m plus a year yet you've already decided the Bears won't even pay him more than $10m. I'm not being "overly-loyal-for-no-good-reason", I'm just bemused by undervaluing a proven commodity while simultaneously projecting success on totally unproven ones.

Ultimately I don't care who the Bears WRs are as long as they're putting up big numbers, preferably with Justin Fields throwing them the ball.

[IE]

Jesus ... Velus had a few early rookie yips and that one big drop and you want to make that the rule? You couldn't share his nice catch and big plays later in the season when he settled down a bit ? And you're going to pretend Mooney doesn't have drops or mistakes?

https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-wr-darne ... -ball-the-

THIS is why I'm souring on Mooney - because when Bear fans are doing the overly-loyal-for-no-good-reason dance I want that party to be over.

It was simply a tongue-in-cheek way to illustrate that Mooney has a track-record of production and Jones simply does not at this point.

Mooney's caught 182 passes in the NFL. Jones has caught 7. Scott's NFL career hasn't even begun. I just find it absurd to make projections about Jones and Scott this early and to sour on Mooney who has proven himself to be a decent NFL WR.

Other WR with Mooney's level of production have been getting paid $15m plus a year yet you've already decided the Bears won't even pay him more than $10m. I'm not being "overly-loyal-for-no-good-reason", I'm just bemused by undervaluing a proven commodity while simultaneously projecting success on totally unproven ones.

Ultimately I don't care who the Bears WRs are as long as they're putting up big numbers, preferably with Justin Fields throwing them the ball.

I honestly don't know what you see in some of the numbers you share... high level averages or some career numbers that I guess are supposed to be impressive?. How about a career 12 ypc average for a guy who is supposed to be a deep threat/speed WR? Less than 50 yards per game career average for a guy who got 300 targets in 45 games as one of the only WRs available on the team? It just is what it is. Most NFL WRs will catch 80 balls if you throw it to them 140 times. I mean - that is basic, and not remotely special.

I'll guarantee if Scott ever in his career gets 140 targets he'll get more than 1055 yards and 13 yards a catch. I'll guarantee that if Velus gets 61 targets he gets more than 500 yards at 13 yards per. THAT is what I'm talking about - not the basic production Mooney's put up with so much opportunity, but the promise and likely result that these other more explosive players would offer in his place.

[wab]

Guys. The Bears only had two receivers under contract in 2024 before this pick.

Mooney sustained a pretty bad injury and VJJ had a pretty long learning curve.

I remember like 8 months ago when people were complaining that the Bears only had one good WR. Now people are worried that the Bears are 5 guys deep.

[IE]

You're using one play just like HRS is. How is that different?

That was my point. i wasn't intending to go tit for tat with him on video highlights (or lowlights).

I did cover my objection to his implied assertion that Mooney is superior simply because he's had opportunity.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

It was simply a tongue-in-cheek way to illustrate that Mooney has a track-record of production and Jones simply does not at this point.

Mooney's caught 182 passes in the NFL. Jones has caught 7. Scott's NFL career hasn't even begun. I just find it absurd to make projections about Jones and Scott this early and to sour on Mooney who has proven himself to be a decent NFL WR.

Other WR with Mooney's level of production have been getting paid $15m plus a year yet you've already decided the Bears won't even pay him more than $10m. I'm not being "overly-loyal-for-no-good-reason", I'm just bemused by undervaluing a proven commodity while simultaneously projecting success on totally unproven ones.

Ultimately I don't care who the Bears WRs are as long as they're putting up big numbers, preferably with Justin Fields throwing them the ball.

I honestly don't know what you see in some of the numbers you share... high level averages or some career numbers that I guess are supposed to be impressive?. How about a career 12 ypc average for a guy who is supposed to be a deep threat/speed WR? Less than 50 yards per game career average for a guy who got 300 targets in 45 games as one of the only WRs available on the team? It just is what it is. Most NFL WRs will catch 80 balls if you throw it to them 140 times. I mean - that is basic, and not remotely special.

I'll guarantee if Scott ever in his career gets 140 targets he'll get more than 1055 yards and 13 yards a catch. I'll guarantee that if Velus gets 61 targets he gets more than 500 yards at 13 yards per. THAT is what I'm talking about - not the basic production Mooney's put up with so much opportunity, but the promise and likely result that these other more explosive players would offer in his place.

What I see in the numbers is a WR who has actually played a significant amount in the NFL versus a WR with 159 offensive snaps so far and another with zero because he's only just been drafted. I honestly don't know what's so difficult to understand about that.

With Mooney we have a body of work to base judgements on (and nobody's suggesting his production is "special'). You cannot guarantee jack when it comes to Scott or Jones. Nobody can. It's pure projection. Everything about them right now is a big "IF".

THAT is what I'm talking about. There is nothing 'likely' about either player at this stage. It is all hope and nothing more.

We all hope they turn into productive NFL players. Mooney already is a productive NFL player. I don't understand why he should be disparaged and written off. He's put up solid numbers in one of the NFL's most anaemic offenses that's had 4 starting QBs in the 3 years he's been in Chicago.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Let's just wait and see how things play out. A least there appears to be some interesting competition for roles and playing time now, which all too frequently hasn't been the case in Chicago.

[karhu]

We all hope they turn into productive NFL players. Mooney already is a productive NFL player. I don't understand why he should be disparaged and written off. He's put up solid numbers in one of the NFL's most anaemic offenses that's had 4 starting QBs in the 3 years he's been in Chicago.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Let's just wait and see how things play out. A least there appears to be some interesting competition for roles and playing time now, which all too frequently hasn't been the case in Chicago.

Bingo. Mooney's had less than squat at QB so far in his career, and he's had a bigger impact than anyone has had a right to expect from him. He's also got a very nice set of release moves, and Scott...is a rookie (one who'll be easy to bully off the line until he develops his own, roughly Mooney-level, set of releases).

[Bearfacts]

Guys. The Bears only had two receivers under contract in 2024 before this pick.

Mooney sustained a pretty bad injury and VJJ had a pretty long learning curve.

I remember like 8 months ago when people were complaining that the Bears only had one good WR. Now people are worried that the Bears are 5 guys deep.

Amen and more or less typical Bears fans expressions of concern. Nothing is ever quite what it's supposed to be.....to them.

If we're talking about having the luxury of trading Darnell Mooney or even allowing to become a FA that should mean the WR core is significantly better now than it has been in nearly a decade. One thing we should be willing to embrace is that Poles can tell us all how much he appreciates a player but that won't alter his valuation of him when a contract extension is being negotiated.

Maybe we'll have a better answer this summer as camp unfolds and players who are due extensions either get them or we learn no offer has been made to them. But right now I can't see how Mooney, Jones, and Scott aren't competing for the same roster spot and since both Scott and Jones have ST skills that has to be considered as well. Just some stuff to think about is all.

[IE]

We all hope they turn into productive NFL players. Mooney already is a productive NFL player. I don't understand why he should be disparaged and written off. He's put up solid numbers in one of the NFL's most anaemic offenses that's had 4 starting QBs in the 3 years he's been in Chicago.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Let's just wait and see how things play out. A least there appears to be some interesting competition for roles and playing time now, which all too frequently hasn't been the case in Chicago.

Bingo. Mooney's had less than squat at QB so far in his career, and he's had a bigger impact than anyone has had a right to expect from him. He's also got a very nice set of release moves, and Scott...is a rookie (one who'll be easy to bully off the line until he develops his own, roughly Mooney-level, set of releases).

So Justin Fields was Mooney's QB for like half of his career. I hope JF1 is more than squat. And I'm not convinced Andy Dalton hurt Mooney's performance in his 7 games - he had no problem with Olave. It isn't the QB.

Last year before Pool came in Mooney was effectively invisible to start the season. I don't want to hear about his release and set of skills when a 3rd year vet can't help his young QB across a good chunk of games like that. He brought nothing to the table that other higher ceiling players with less experience couldn't bring - and that was my point re: Velus and Scott. His replacement level really isn't high at all, and it is fine to assume that higher potential guys brought in over the last 2 years could do what he can do, and more - for a LOT less.

I like Darnell Mooney as a guy and appreciate what he's done given the circumstances and with a few really nicee catches he's made now & again. But I'm just not going to be one to pretend he's got some remarkable ability, or that he is anything more than a completely average WR who through happenstance ended up with WAY more opportunity than he should have had. He's a WR3 who was forced into higher level duty and did just OK. He's basically Tom Waddle in '91- '93. But guess what? It is now '94 and Jeff Graham and Curtis Conway are now on the team. So...

[karhu]

Bingo. Mooney's had less than squat at QB so far in his career, and he's had a bigger impact than anyone has had a right to expect from him. He's also got a very nice set of release moves, and Scott...is a rookie (one who'll be easy to bully off the line until he develops his own, roughly Mooney-level, set of releases).

So Justin Fields was Mooney's QB for like half of his career. I hope JF1 is more than squat.

He hasn't been so far, not as a passer.