Thread: Bears Draft Prospects Rounds 1 & 2...........

I don't mean to repeat what has already been posted but I thought that narrowing down the discussion to the guys who have mentioned most often as being of interest to the Bears might focus us on the higher possiblities even though some may not fall to us.

Castonzo is an example so maybe it comes down to Carimi or Sherrod. Which would you prefer?

The same at DT. Liuget may be gone so it comes down to Paea or maybe trading down for Wilkerson or Austin. Which do we do?

Is Pouncey the guy we pick ahead of Paea if the OT's and Liuget are gone?

Thought I'd generate some debate around just these guys who rate late first or early second at our biggest positional needs. I've purposely ignored all other positions since they rank lower on the list than Oline and Dline.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

I think the draft will boil down to what we do in FA. If we get OL help we go DT in the draft perhaps trade up a few to get Liuget. If we don't get OL help in FA maybe a trade down for more LG/LT help. Just getting a LG, WR, and P from FA would be great.

I do too shorty but what's gonna happen if the draft happens before FA which is very likely right now. The players lawsuit doesn't go to court until April 6th and that gives little or no time for a lengthy enough FA period before the draft. I'm now playing this thinking there will be no FA before the draft unless the lawsuit is settled before them and that's not likely.

So I think it comes down to these guys and do we move up for guys like Liuget, Castonzo and maybe Carimi as well? Take Sherrod or Paea at #29 where both will likely be around. Do we take Pouncey or trade down for guys like Wilkerson or Austin and pick up another 3rd or 4th?

I'd just like to know posters opinions of which of these guys bests fits the Bears needs based on these scouting reports.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

If there is no FA before the draft then I can see a trade up. Another question is if Cwill is a LT or LG. For Carimi I'd trade up as I don't think he'll be around at 29. Same w/Liuget. We need at least one solid starter either from the OL or DL then depth. After that hope for the best in FA.

I'm thinking that our first two picks need to become immediate starters and that's what we draft for. By example some scouts have said that OT's Solder and Sherrod need more polish before they can start but most agree that Castonzo and Carimi are ready to go right away. I'm not sure I agree. I'm beginning to have more respect for Sherrod than I had earlier and am almost ready to put him on par with Carimi. Both seem to have fairly equal pass blocking skills but Carimi get the edge in run blocking by a nose. Both offer positional flexibilty and with Tice's plan to get his best five lineman out there that's gives both of them an advantage. Either fit our needs and I also believe either could start.

As for the DT's it would seem like Liuget's our best bet but all in all I think there are things that make Paea as good or better 3t guy for the Bears. I think the guy is an exceptionally strong high motor player who may able to be a better 3 down player in the latter half of he game than Liuget will be, JMO. After him I wouldn't want either of Wilkerson (should be a 3-4 end) or Austin (reminds me too much of Tank) with his character issues and not quite dominant talents at all. Nevis isn't listed in the top 50 so I couldn't see him as anything but a late second rounder. He may be able to split time with Melton by I don't see him as anything more than a rotational player because of his size.

If we take Pouncey it should be to play OG and not as Olin's heir apparent. What makes it difficult to take him that high is that I'm certain we could do as well or better in an immediate starter in FA. OG's abound there once it finally happens and we shouldn't have any problem getting one. I guess what this means to me is that if what's left after the dust clears at #29, and no move up was possible (all top OT's and Liuget gone), I'd take Paea over Pouncey, JMO.

Let's see what the masses have to say.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

I'd agree w/that. We can probably get a C in the later rounds as Tice has done in the past. For the 3tech I think we need athletic guys like Melton and Liuget. I think that has a edge over Paea as we have Toe who could fill the stout role as he has in rotation. As a stretch I would take Carimi and in later rounds draft Moffit. The rookie left side would be shaky at times but I bet we sure as hell could run block that side lol.

I've always preferred Liuget as well but something I read in his report made me hesitate. It says that he has some difficulty splitting the gap and can be ridden out of running plays. Especially when being double teamed or chipped. That's exactly how teams attacked Tommie Harris and they were frequently successful at it. Marinelli may be able to fix that but with Paea that doesn't seem to be the problem. His incredible strength and quickness get him through even against the double team. I think his injury may drop him down and we may even be able to trade down to get him. Liuget I think has a good chance of going in the top 20 so he might not be there at #29.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

What we draft may come down to the rotation. If we use Adams (if resigned) alone with Toe solely at NT then there could be a good chance we will get a higher rated DT to split time with Melton. If we draft a lower DT it could be more of a project for Rod and Toe will step back to the 3tech rotation perhaps.

Right now I'm also rooting for who seems the most coachable as well. A coachable kid with just a few things to work on seems a better fit than a kid with equal talent who's on his own timetable.

Toeina already gives us whatever Mebane could anyway. He can play either DT spot and that's why I'd be more in favor of drafting a 3t DT with that first pick. Plus I still think that AA will be re-signed just as soon as a new CBA gets done. He's the most consistent Dlineman we've got and we need his veteran presence.

I'll let Marinelli and Lovie deal with their choices "coachability". I'm sure it's on their checklist on desired traits.