Saturday, April 29, 2017

Why the Chicago Bears Traded So Much for Mitchell Trubisky

The Chicago Bears gave up a lot to move up one spot in the draft. All Bears fans lost their shit, and admittedly, I wasn't too happy about the trade either. Then they shocked the world even more and drafted Mitchell Trubisky from North Carolina, hoping to finally solve their quarterback issues. Again, Bears fans erupted in anger, but that part isn't as big of a deal, because most Bears fans are morons (this goes for most football fans in general) and have likely never even seen Trubisky play. I'm never going to stop singing Trubisky's praises, but even I'm still having trouble justifying the Bears aggressive trade to move up just one spot.

Let's get the biggest problem out of the way. The Bears were negotiating from a position of weakness. In their minds, they NEEDED Trubisky, and my guess is that the Bears are as high on him as I am, so I totally get it. Their only thought was, "We can't miss out on this guy." Anytime you have that thought, you aren't going to win the trade on value, and there is no way to say that the Bears got more draft value than the 49ers.

The Bears got their guy, and that has not been a trend in recent years. In 2015, the Bears drafted seventh and were in desperate need for a defensive lineman. Things were working out perfectly as Leonard Williams was falling on down to them, and then at pick number six, the Jets took him. The Bears then drafted Kevin White who has played about as many snaps in the NFL as me over the last two years.

The year before that was even worse. The Bears picked 14th and a stud defensive tackle kept dropping down in the draft. The Bears held their ground, and sure enough, the Rams selected Aaron Donald at 13, one pick before the Bears. They then took Kyle Fuller who, let's be nice, is a cornerback who plays in the NFL. He is not Aaron Donald.

In both of those cases, the Bears have to look back and think, "Man, I really wish we would have overpaid to get those guys." Sometimes you gamble and win. Sometimes you gamble and lose. The Bears may have gambled by trading that much to get their guy, but they got their guy. If he turns out to be a top notch quarterback, then the combination of Solomon Thomas, a third, a fourth, and 2018 third won't equal the value of Trubisky.

The 49ers may have gotten better draft pick value, but that misses the point, the Bears got their guy. If he turns out to be what the Bears think he can be, there is no way to overpay on that.

Friday, April 28, 2017

What the Chicago Bears Should Do on Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft

Nobody was talked about more than the Chicago Bears last night as they shocked the world and traded up to take Mitchell Trubisky to fill their quarterback need. I thought they gave up a bit too much draft capital to do it, but they at least did it for the right guy. I LOVE Trubisky, and most of the hate came for two reasons: 1. They never saw him play and just thought he sucked, because they have been told by the media that he isn't worthy of a high first round pick. 2. They are overly concerned that he didn't start enough games in college. The first group are just morons; no need to focus on that. For the latter group, I understand the concern, but I think it says far more about the coaching staff at UNC than it does about Trubisky. I wanted to hate Trubisky, but he's got everything I value in a quarterback prospect. Because of that, it was still a great night for the Bears.

Now, for some quick analysis of what the Bears should do on day two. This is important, because they actually listened to me on my advice for their first pick. 

5. Desmond King - Defensive Back - Iowa
Obligatory Iowa advice. But seriously, King is a football player who makes plays. The Bears need all of the help in the secondary, and King is a guy who could fit in a variety of ways. I still think he's a cornerback, but even if you had to make him a safety, he has the instincts to make big time plays.

4. Kevin King - Cornerback - Washington
Dude is a freak of an athlete. Still could use a whole lot of polish at the cornerback position, but the raw materials are there for him to become a stud.

3. Malik McDowell - Defensive End - Michigan State
The Bears still need a defensive end since they passed on Solomon Thomas to fill their quarterback need. This guy is a polarizing prospect, because his production definitely doesn't match his talent, but many blame that more on the scheme of Michigan State as opposed to anything wrong with McDowell. It's a high ceiling, low floor pick, but the Bears don't seem to be afraid to take chances.

2. Cam Robinson - Offensive Tackle - Alabama
I can't believe a three-year starter at the best program in the nation slipped to the second round, but it would be incredibly difficult for the Bears to pass up on Robinson if he is sitting there when they pick. I think this is a guy who gets picked apart because of too much tape on him, but he has all of the tools to be Pro Bowl offensive tackle.

1. Trade Down
It's the least sexy option, but it may be the best moving forward. If they're not in love with one of the guys at the top of round two, maybe trading down, picking up a third and / or fourth rounder might be the prudent choice. The Bears have a lot of holes on this team, so accumulating talent has to be one of their big goals to come out of this draft. And the best news is that they could probably still draft Desmond King and make my dreams come true.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

2017 NFL Mock Draft - All 7 Rounds

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The NFL Draft is one of the best events of the year. I love the NFL Draft, but even I don't love the NFL Draft as much as Lukewarm Jonah. Just the thought of doing a one-round mock draft seems like way too much work for me, but where Jonah sees me back away, he jumped into the mock draft fire with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. That is why he did a full seven-round mock draft on ourlads.com. So feel free to check it out, but note there are spoilers below.


PickTeamPlayerPos.School
Round 1
1
  Browns  
Myles GarrettDETexas A&M
2
  49ers  
Solomon ThomasDEStanford
3
  Bears  
Marshon LattimoreCBOhio State
4
  Jaguars  
Leonard FournetteRBLSU
5
  Titans   f/LAR
Jamal AdamsSSLSU
6
  Jets  
Mitch TrubiskyQBNorth Carolina
7
  Chargers  
Jonathan AllenDEAlabama
8
  Panthers  
Derek BarnettDETennessee
9
  Bengals  
Malik HookerFSOhio State
10
  Bills  
Mike WilliamsWRClemson
11
  Saints  
Haason ReddickOBTemple
12
  Browns   f/PHI
John RossWRWashington
13
  Cardinals  
OJ HowardTEAlabama
14
  Eagles   f/MIN
Tre'Davious WhiteCBLSU
15
  Colts  
Marlon HumphreyCBAlabama
16
  Ravens  
Reuben FosterIBAlabama
17
  Redskins  
Budda BakerFSWashington
18
  Titans  
Corey DavisWRWestern Michigan
19
  Buccaneers  
Dalvin CookRBFlorida State
20
  Broncos  
Forrest LampOTWestern Kentucky
21
  Lions  
Taco CharltonDEMichigan
22
  Dolphins  
Jarrad DavisIBFlorida
23
  Giants  
Ryan RamczykOTWisconsin
24
  Raiders  
Obi MelifonwuSSConnecticut
25
  Texans  
Deshaun WatsonQBClemson
26
  Seahawks  
Kevin KingCBWashington
27
  Chiefs  
Zach CunninghamIBVanderbilt
28
  Cowboys  
Takkarist McKinleyDEUCLA
29
  Packers  
Cam RobinsonOTAlabama
30
  Steelers  
David NjokuTEMiami
31
  Falcons  
Jordan WillisDEKansas State
32
  Saints   f/NE
Christian McCaffreyRBStanford
Round 2
33
  Browns  
Patrick Mahomes IIQBTexas Tech
34
  49ers  
DeShone KizerQBNotre Dame
35
  Jaguars  
Fabian MoreauCBUCLA
36
  Bears  
TJ WattOBWisconsin
37
  Rams  
Josh JonesFSNorth Carolina State
38
  Chargers  
Garett BollesOTUtah
39
  Jets  
Adoree` JacksonCBSouthern Cal
40
  Panthers  
ArDarius StewartWRAlabama
41
  Bengals  
Dan FeeneyOGIndiana
42
  Saints  
Evan EngramTEMississippi
43
  Eagles  
Charles HarrisDEMissouri
44
  Bills  
Teez TaborCBFlorida
45
  Cardinals  
Davis WebbQBCalifornia
46
  Colts  
Duke RileyOBLSU
47
  Ravens  
Carl LawsonDEAuburn
48
  Vikings  
Malik McDowellDEMichigan State
49
  Redskins  
Jabrill PeppersSSMichigan
50
  Buccaneers  
Chidobe AwuzieCBColorado
51
  Broncos  
Raekwon McMillanIBOhio State
52
  Browns   f/TEN
Joe MixonRBOklahoma
53
  Lions  
Quincy WilsonCBFlorida
54
  Dolphins  
Taylor MotonOGWestern Michigan
55
  Giants  
Marcus WilliamsFSUtah
56
  Raiders  
Adam ShaheenTEAshland
57
  Texans  
Cordrea TankersleyCBClemson
58
  Seahawks  
Pat ElfleinOCOhio State
59
  Chiefs  
Curtis SamuelWROhio State
60
  Cowboys  
JuJu Smith-SchusterWRSouthern Cal
61
  Packers  
Dorian JohnsonOGPittsburgh
62
  Steelers  
Derek RiversDEYoungstown State
63
  Falcons  
Eddie JacksonFSAlabama
64
  Panthers   f/NE
Alvin KamaraRBTennessee
Round 3
65
  Browns  
Antonio GarciaOTTroy
66
  49ers  
Wayne GallmanRBClemson
67
  Bears  
Cooper KuppWREastern Washington
68
  Jaguars  
Chris WormleyDEMichigan
69
  Rams  
Carlos HendersonWRLouisiana Tech
70
  Jets  
Ryan AndersonOBAlabama
71
  Chargers  
Ethan PocicOCLSU
72
  Patriots   f/CAR
Sidney JonesCBWashington
73
  Bengals  
Marlon MackRBSouth Florida
74
  Ravens   f/PHI
Chris GodwinWRPenn State
75
  Bills  
Jermaine EluemunorOTTexas A&M
76
  Saints  
Tim WilliamsDEAlabama
77
  Cardinals  
Montravius AdamsDTAuburn
78
  Ravens  
Chad HansenWRCalifornia
79
  Vikings  
D'Onta ForemanRBTexas
80
  Colts  
Anthony WalkerIBNorthwestern
81
  Redskins  
Justin EvansSSTexas A&M
82
  Broncos  
Tarell BashamDEOhio
83
  Titans  
Elijah LeeOBKansas State
84
  Buccaneers  
Zay JonesWREast Carolina
85
  Lions  
Julie'n DavenportOTBucknell
86
  Vikings   f/MIA
Marcus MayeFSFlorida
87
  Giants  
Jordan LeggettTEClemson
88
  Raiders  
Kareem HuntRBToledo
89
  Texans  
David SharpeOTFlorida
90
  Seahawks  
Jalen Reeves-MaybinOBTennessee
91
  Chiefs  
Dawuane SmootDEIllinois
92
  Cowboys  
Desmond KingCBIowa
93
  Packers  
Samaje PerineRBOklahoma
94
  Steelers  
Taywan TaylorWRWestern Kentucky
95
  Falcons  
Elijah QuallsDTWashington
96
  Patriots  
Tanoh KpassagnonDEVillanova
97
  Dolphins   f/NFL
Bucky HodgesTEVirginia Tech
98
  Panthers   f/NFL
Adam BisnowatyOTPittsburgh
99
  Eagles   f/BAL/NFL
Jamaal WilliamsRBBYU
100
  Titans   f/NFL
Ahkello WitherspoonCBColorado
101
  Broncos   f/NFL
Rasul DouglasCBWest Virginia
102
  Seahawks   f/NFL
Nico SiragusaOGSan Diego State
103
  Saints   f/CLE/NE/NFL
Alex AnzaloneOBFlorida
104
  Chiefs   f/NFL
Nathan PetermanQBPittsburgh
105
  Steelers   f/NFL
Kendell BeckwithIBLSU
106
  Seahawks   f/NFL
Josh ReynoldsWRTexas A&M
107
  Jets   f/NFL
Cole HikutiniTELouisville
Round 4
108
  Browns  
Tedric ThompsonSSColorado
109
  49ers  
Carlos WatkinsDTClemson
110
  Jaguars  
Jake ButtTEMichigan
111
  Bears  
Brad KaayaQBMiami
112
  Rams  
Gerald EverettTESouth Alabama
113
  Chargers  
Ryan SwitzerWRNorth Carolina
114
  Redskins   f/NYJ
Eddie VanderdoesDTUCLA
115
  Panthers  
Damontae KazeeCBSan Diego State
116
  Bengals  
Damien MamaOGSouthern Cal
117
  Bears   f/BUF
Isaiah FordWRVirginia Tech
118
  Eagles  
James ConnerRBPittsburgh
119
  Cardinals  
Daeshon HallDETexas A&M
120
  Vikings  
Isaac AsiataOGUtah
121
  Colts  
Conor McDermottOTUCLA
122
  Ravens  
Steven TaylorOBHouston
123
  Redskins  
Brian HillRBWyoming
124
  Titans  
Joe MathisDEWashington
125
  Buccaneers  
DeMarcus WalkerDEFlorida State
126
  Broncos  
Jaleel JohnsonDTIowa
127
  Lions  
Howard WilsonCBHouston
128
  Vikings   f/MIA
Marquel LeeOBWake Forest
129
  Raiders  
Blair BrownIBOhio
130
  Texans  
Jeremy CutrerCBMiddle Tennessee
131
  Patriots   f/SEA
Carroll PhillipsDEIllinois
132
  Chiefs  
Jeremy McNicholsRBBoise State
133
  Cowboys  
Paul Magloire Jr.IBArizona
134
  Packers  
Cameron SuttonCBTennessee
135
  Steelers  
Elijah HoodRBNorth Carolina
136
  Falcons  
Dalvin TomlinsonDTAlabama
137
  Colts   f/NE
Corn ElderCBMiami
138
  Bengals   f/NFL
Caleb BrantleyDTFlorida
139
  Eagles   f/NFL
George KittleTEIowa
140
  Giants  
Fred RossWRMississippi State
141
  Rams   f/NFL
Jalen MyrickCBMinnesota
142
  Texans   f/CLE/NFL
Ben BoulwareIBClemson
143
  49ers   f/NFL
Amara DarbohWRMichigan
144
  Colts   f/NFL
Larry OgunjobiDTNorth Carolina-Charlotte
Round 5
145
  Browns  
Jourdan LewisCBMichigan
146
  49ers  
Isaac RochellDENotre Dame
147
  Bears  
Avery GennesyOTTexas A&M
148
  Jaguars  
Rayshawn JenkinsFSMiami
149
  Rams  
Marquez WhiteCBFlorida State
150
  Jets  
Kenny GolladayWRNorthern Illinois
151
  Chargers  
Stevie Tu'ikolovatuDTSouthern Cal
152
  Panthers  
Xavier WoodsSSLouisiana Tech
153
  Bengals  
KD CannonWRBaylor
154
  Redskins   f/NO
Nazair JonesDTNorth Carolina
155
  Eagles  
Vince BiegelOBWisconsin
156
  Bills  
Michael RobertsTEToledo
157
  Cardinals  
Chad WheelerOTSouthern Cal
158
  Colts  
Aaron JonesRBUTEP
159
  Ravens  
Dede WestbrookWROklahoma
160
  Vikings  
Zach BannerOTSouthern Cal
161
  49ers   f/WAS
Jayon BrownIBUCLA
162
  Buccaneers  
Delano HillFSMichigan
163
  Patriots   f/DEN
Sojourn SheltonCBWisconsin
164
  Titans  
Jarron JonesDTNotre Dame
165
  Lions  
Charles WalkerDTOklahoma
166
  Dolphins  
Tanzel SmartDTTulane
167
  Giants  
Trey HendricksonDEFlorida Atlantic
168
  Raiders  
Erik MagnusonOTMichigan
169
  Texans  
Avery MossDEYoungstown State
170
  Chiefs  
Dylan ColeOBMissouri State
171
  Bills   f/DAL
Shaquill GriffinCBCentral Florida
172
  Packers  
Lorenzo JeromeSSSt. Francis (PA)
173
  Steelers  
Donnel PumphreyRBSan Diego State
174
  Falcons  
Chase RoullierOGWyoming
175
  Browns   f/NE
Ben GedeonIBMichigan
176
  Bengals   f/NFL
Zane GonzalezPKArizona State
177
  Broncos   f/NFL
Tyler OrloskyOCWest Virginia
178
  Dolphins   f/NFL
Treyvon HesterDTToledo
179
  Cardinals   f/NFL
Trent TaylorWRLouisiana Tech
180
  Chiefs   f/NFL
Jehu ChessonWRMichigan
181
  Browns   f/NFL
Jeremy SprinkleTEArkansas
182
  Packers   f/NFL
Kyle FullerOCBaylor
183
  Patriots   f/NFL
TJ LoganRBNorth Carolina
184
  Dolphins   f/NFL
Des LawrenceCBNorth Carolina
Round 6
185
  Browns  
Vincent TaylorDTOklahoma State
186
  Ravens   f/SF
Montae NicholsonSSMichigan State
187
  Jaguars  
Chad KellyQBMississippi
188
  Browns   f/CHI/HOU
Nate HairstonCBTemple
189
  Rams  
Jadar JohnsonFSClemson
190
  Chargers  
Elijah McGuireRBLouisiana-Lafayette
191
  Jets  
Jonah PirsigOTMinnesota
192
  Panthers  
Shelton GibsonWRWest Virginia
193
  Bengals  
Garrett SickelsDEPenn State
194
  Eagles  
Mack HollinsWRNorth Carolina
195
  Bills  
De'Veon SmithRBMichigan
196
  Saints  
Channing StriblingCBMichigan
197
  Cardinals  
Malachi DupreWRLSU
198
  49ers   f/BAL
Josh Harvey-ClemonsSSLouisville
199
  Vikings  
Jonnu SmithTEFlorida International
200
  Patriots   f/IND
Jessamen DunkerOTTennessee State
201
  Redskins  
JJ DielmanOTUtah
202
  49ers   f/DEN
Travin DuralWRLSU
203
  Broncos   f/TEN
David JonesFSRichmond
204
  Buccaneers  
Ryan GlasgowDTMichigan
205
  Lions  
Brian AllenCBUtah
206
  Rams   f/MIA
Joseph WilliamsRBUtah
207
  Giants  
Joshua DobbsQBTennessee
208
  Raiders  
Eric SaubertTEDrake
209
  Redskins   f/HOU
Jerod EvansQBVirginia Tech
210
  Seahawks  
DeAngelo BrownDTLouisville
211
  Cowboys  
DJ JonesDTMississippi
212
  Packers  
Stacy ColeyWRMiami
213
  Steelers  
Treston DecoudCBOregon State
214
  Titans   f/ATL
Josh MaloneWRTennessee
215
  Lions   f/NE
Pharaoh BrownTEOregon
216
  Chiefs   f/NFL
Damore'ea StringfellowWRMississippi
217
  Bengals   f/NFL
Joshua HolseyCBAuburn
218
  Chiefs   f/NFL
John JohnsonFSBoston College
Round 7
219
  49ers   f/CLE
Josiah PriceTEMichigan State
220
  Redskins   f/SF
Kyle KalisOGMichigan
221
  Bears  
Bryan Cox Jr.DEFlorida
222
  Jaguars  
Noble NwachukwuDEWest Virginia
223
  Rams  
Hardy Nickerson Jr.IBIllinois
224
  Jets  
Justin DavisRBSouthern Cal
225
  Chargers  
Keionta DavisDETennessee-Chattanooga
226
  Seahawks   f/CAR
William Likely IIICBMaryland
227
  Bengals  
Speedy NoilWRTexas A&M
228
  Cowboys   f/BUF
Jordan SternsSSOklahoma State
229
  Saints  
Cooper RushQBCentral Michigan
230
  Eagles  
Noah BrownWROhio State
231
  Cardinals  
Chunky ClementsDTIllinois
232
  Vikings  
Austin RehkowPTIdaho
233
  Dolphins   f/LAR
Davon GodchauxDTLSU
234
  Rams   f/BAL
Nathan GerryFSNebraska
235
  Redskins  
Xavier ColemanCBPortland State
236
  Titans  
Damarius TravisSSMinnesota
237
  Buccaneers  
Dan SkipperOTArkansas
238
  Broncos  
Brendan LangleyCBLamar
239
  Patriots   f/DET
Artavis ScottWRClemson
240
  Jaguars   f/MIA
Tanner VallejoIBBoise State
241
  Giants  
Collin BuchananOTMiami (OH)
242
  Raiders  
Connor HarrisOBLindenwood
243
  Texans  
Derrick GriffinWRTexas Southern
244
  Raiders   f/SEA
Jon TothOCKentucky
245
  Chiefs  
Hunter DimickDEUtah
246
  Cowboys  
Toby BakerPTArkansas
247
  Packers  
Isaiah McKenzieWRGeorgia
248
  Steelers  
Antione GlenDTIdaho
249
  Falcons  
Darrell DanielsTEWashington
250
  Lions   f/NE
Matt DayesRBNorth Carolina State
251
  Bengals   f/NFL
Victor SalakoOTOklahoma State
252
  Broncos   f/NFL
Tony ConnerSSMississippi
253
  Broncos   f/NFL
Chad WilliamsWRGrambling State
- See more at: http://www.ourlads.com/nfl-mock-draft-challenge/mock-draft/216424