NFL Draft

[MadBird]

What defensive player would have been an instant contributor there that fits the system?

I think they take Trice if he’s there, but he went the pick before.

Saban called Kiran the “sleeper of the draft.”

Nick’s a pretty smart dude, so I’m good with that comment.

And what does it matter that he went to Yale? not like the Bears haven’t had a player work out from Yale before.

Pre-draft analysis of Kiran from Eddie Brown, San Diego Union Tribune writer and draft analyst, sounds pretty promising. Some articles I've read say he could challenge Braxton Jones. Okay, let 'er rip!

Kiran Amegadjie (Sr., Yale, 6-5, 323)

Amegadjie is one of the premier small-school prospects in this draft class. The relatively low level of competition always deserves to be a consideration, but his body is built for the NFL, he features a rare blend of premium athletic traits and IQ certainly shouldn't be an issue. Amegadjie started double-digit games at both left tackle (14) and right guard (10) during his three seasons with the Bulldogs. He is capable of locating and finishing as a blocker on the second-level at either position. He suffered a partially torn left quad during practice last October and required season-ending surgery, which also sidelined him for most of the pre-draft process. It would've been nice to see him face better competition at the Senior Bowl. Projected: Rounds 2-3

 

[Hamdonger]

I see "it" in Caleb Williams .. but do worry some about the fall off.

1st round QB's, especially top 10 picks, are SO hyped that I've become very skeptical. Can this kid play in gusty and COLD Soldier Field? To me it's the first question to ask about any QB playing in Chicago...much more mindset than physical, imo. I'm not convinced he can, but I don't have a true fundamental knowledge of football. This is why I eagerly read you football peeps' posts.

With my pea brain perspective, though...and listening to Joniak and Thayer...I do think Tyson Bagent can throw for 4000 yards on a consistent basis for someone in this league. I like him A LOT and I love his tempo...plus I like to root for the UnderDawg! With time and reps I think he's a top 10 QB in the league.

*Joniak was very high on Wlliams in interviews after the draft..but I don't know if that's the company line or genuine enthusiasm.

 

[fourthandshort]

I'm not assuming the guy from Yale is a "bad" pick, just would've preferred to see a D player there - safety, edge, fat guy in the middle, whatever. Kinda doubt either would be an "instant contributor". Yale is non-schollie FCS, so not what I would assume is a "plug and play" guy. Hope I'm wrong. Bears seem to now have a huge collection of "guys" in the interior line, maybe this guy can get to the front of the line.

I have no problem at all with Mr. Poles. He's doing great work so far.

I was glad they went OT for 3rd pick, but I am worried about it being a bit of a project. Ivy has maybe 2-3 good FCS teams each year. They only play 10 games. They do not play a playoff. It's lower end FCS with limited games and competition. Jumping to NFL will take lot of adjustment time. His NFL scout report said he has raw ability/size, but needs a lot of technique work .... seems like a few strikes against him for a 3rd round pick. He was however the 9th rated OT at combine .. top 7 went in 1st round, 4 in 2nd round, and 1 ahead of him in 3rd ... so he was 13th OT picked, despite being 9th rated OT. So according to NFL scouting/grading, he was a value pick at that point ... certainly risky, but a value pick. So if they were taking an OT in 3rd round, which I liked, he was a good pick at that point .. albeit a project.

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[fourthandshort]

1st round QB's, especially top 10 picks, are SO hyped that I've become very skeptical. Can this kid play in gusty and COLD Soldier Field? To me it's the first question to ask about any QB playing in Chicago...much more mindset than physical, imo. I'm not convinced he can, but I don't have a true fundamental knowledge of football. This is why I eagerly read you football peeps' posts.

With my pea brain perspective, though...and listening to Joniak and Thayer...I do think Tyson Bagent can throw for 4000 yards on a consistent basis for someone in this league. I like him A LOT and I love his tempo...plus I like to root for the UnderDawg! With time and reps I think he's a top 10 QB in the league.

*Joniak was very high on Wlliams in interviews after the draft..but I don't know if that's the company line or genuine enthusiasm.

Thing is, we are going to loaded at skill positions, and it looks like Bears OL will be a little better/deeper. So Williams will have a lot of options/weapons at his disposal. And while he likes to play hero ball (ala Fields), he also likes to throw it from the pocket ... Fields never got the hang of that aspect of pass game. Williams is going to have people open .. WRs, TEs, RBs to dump off to .. it's going to debatably be a top 5 arsenal on the receiving end of passes.

 

[cubird]

Jack Rabbit RB Isaiah Davis 5th round to Jets.

 

[fourthandshort]

Jack Rabbit RB Isaiah Davis 5th round to Jets.

Go MVFC ... wasn't sure how high he would go, or if UFDA.

 

[DaveBird10]

I was glad they went OT for 3rd pick, but I am worried about it being a bit of a project. Ivy has maybe 2-3 good FCS teams each year. They only play 10 games. They do not play a playoff. It's lower end FCS with limited games and competition. Jumping to NFL will take lot of adjustment time. His NFL scout report said he has raw ability/size, but needs a lot of technique work .... seems like a few strikes against him for a 3rd round pick. He was however the 9th rated OT at combine .. top 7 went in 1st round, 4 in 2nd round, and 1 ahead of him in 3rd ... so he was 13th OT picked, despite being 9th rated OT. So according to NFL scouting/grading, he was a value pick at that point ... certainly risky, but a value pick. So if they were taking an OT in 3rd round, which I liked, he was a good pick at that point .. albeit a project.

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I am guessing Poles wants to see if Kiran can push Larry Borom for swing tackle. Borom was a Pace guy and will make decent money in 4th year/contract year so guessing he could be expendable. I was hoping for a guy to push Braxton Jones at L tackle but I am thinking there that Poles loves the way Braxton has accelerated being 5th ground pick from Southern Utah and Poles doesn't want to give up on his own guy in a 3rd year who could be a diamond in the rough.

 

[fourthandshort]

I am guessing Poles wants to see if Kiran can push Larry Borom for swing tackle. Borom was a Pace guy and will make decent money in 4th year/contract year so guessing he could be expendable. I was hoping for a guy to push Braxton Jones at L tackle but I am thinking there that Poles loves the way Braxton has accelerated being 5th ground pick from Southern Utah and Poles doesn't want to give up on his own guy in a 3rd year who could be a diamond in the rough.

The more I'm seeing of Kiran takes, the more people really like him. May not be quite as raw as what I read/interpreted from the NFL Combine scouting report, including strengths and weaknesses. Bottom line, as OTs go, he was a value pick who could have gone higher. That he played Ivy League is the only reason he "fell" to Bears .. which could be a good thing .. or not.

In any case, with the 3 trades and this pick on OL .. we will have a decent 2 deep, which mean competition ... especially since I think there is little difference between 1st and 2nd string. Competition is always a good thing for development and making people hungry.

 

[stielowp]

Since the thread is broadly titled NFL Draft, and it is the offseason .... I will opine on my Bears and hope Quinn doesn't bounce this post ???

Is it just me, or does it suddenly feel like the Bears will have a very explosive offense at some point sooner than later ?? Maybe even week 1.

We'll see if Caleb Williams is ready day 1 or not ... but how will other teams guard our skill guys ? Meaning, someone will be open most plays.

- WR DJ Moore .. 90 catch, 1200 yd guy, makes plays all over the field .. just got in 2023 trade. Ran a 4.42 forty at combine.
- WR Keenan Allen .. 100+ catch, 1200 yd guy ... 32 yrs old, but coming off his most productive year, just got in 2024 trade. Another Jerry Rice ... ran a 4.7 forty 10 years ago.
- WR Rome Odunze .. rookie, college AA, 90 catch, 1,600 yd guy, who ran a 4.45 forty .. just drafted. He was the guy every scouted and doubled with safety help. Not anymore with Moore and Allen carrying the load.

- WR/Return guy .. Velus Jones ... not producing yet at receiver, but a blazing fats utility guy who ran a 4.31 forty official at combine. Bears drafted in 2022.

- TE Cole Kmet .. up to 70 catch, 700 yd guy, drafted in 2020
- TE Gerald Everette .. 50 catch, 500 yd guy just got in 2024 trade

- RB D'Andre Swift ... 2023 pro bowler 1,000 yd rusher for Eagles, but was a dual threat pass-catching RB with Lions .. 50-60 catch, 500+ rec yards + 500+ rush yards guy. Ran a 4.46 forty and considered a very fast explosive RB. Just obtained from Eagles
- RB Kahlil Herbert ... back up is 600 yd guy getting close to 5 ypc. Not an every play guy but nice RB piece for sure.
- RB Roschon Johnson ... impressed at times last year. Streaky explosive guy.

Plus Bears picked up several solid OL to shore up depth chart. They were 2nd in entire NFL in Rushing yds last year at 2,399 .. Fields was only 650 of that. They were 26th in pass yards. And while we lose a bit in run dual threat with Williams vs Fields .. we gain a whole lot in Williams legit pass threat.

Bears were 5th in rushing 1st downs, and 31st in pass 1st downs. Overall were 26th.

Defense was very tough, especially considering how inconsistent our offense was. It will only get better if they are on the field less.

With the way Bears finished year .. I'm thinking this years expectations start at about 10-7. The open at home against 2-15 Panthers, then on road against 4-13 Cardinals .. and a special shout to those Panthers .. thanks for #1 pick !!!!

So why draft a punter in the 4th round?

 

[fourthandshort]

So why draft a punter in the 4th round?

Agree with your general point .. but Bears will still need to win tough games against good teams .. and this guy will help pin those good teams inside their 20 and 10 and 5 .. more often than most.

But not my area of expertise or even strong opinion re kicker/punters draft strategy in NFL. But ... hes not just a strong punter, he's also australian and has very nice touch on his punts as far as placement, etc Iowa offense sucked, so he had a lot of field to work with. He led country in Gross and Net Punt ... about 48 and 44 ... so he's not just a big leg who out-punts his coverage. Saw some highlights ... he's a big guy and makes it look easy. He was Iowa's best offensive player.

He's also used to playing in the upper midwest in terms of weather conditions .. wind and cold. So he should be a very good punter for the Bears for some time.

Will be interesting to see how much they pay him ... he was picked higher than most thought, despite how good he is.

 

[MadBird]

So why draft a punter in the 4th round?

Yeah, at first I wasn't sure - I griped somewhere else on here about taking the OG in the 3rd round - but I'm convinced, and have read some experts who think it, was a good move. As 4th has pointed out, the guy was very good at Iowa. Bears were last in the league in punting stats. Seen some pre-draft predictions that the guy would go in the 4th or 5th round, so he wasn't taken too high, just maybe Bears could have had some other priorities. But, you get a great punter in the 4th round, but most other positions, just a so-so guy. If he can do some pinning down inside the 10 and just gain a few yards per punt, may be worth it.

 

[cubird]

He saved Iowa from losing to Sourh Dakota State by kicking inside the 3 yard line twice and them winning by 2 safeties.

 

[Manchester Matt]

So why draft a punter in the 4th round?

Trenton Gill in 2023:

Net yards/punt: 31st
Touchback percentage: 30th
Punts downed inside 20: 31st.

 

[fourthandshort]

Yeah, at first I wasn't sure - I griped somewhere else on here about taking the OG in the 3rd round - but I'm convinced, and have read some experts who think it, was a good move. As 4th has pointed out, the guy was very good at Iowa. Bears were last in the league in punting stats. Seen some pre-draft predictions that the guy would go in the 4th or 5th round, so he wasn't taken too high, just maybe Bears could have had some other priorities. But, you get a great punter in the 4th round, but most other positions, just a so-so guy. If he can do some pinning down inside the 10 and just gain a few yards per punt, may be worth it.

Hey Mad ... I realize Kiran may move to guard to start his NFL career, and may even stat there. But he was listed as OT on NFL combine/draft site.

 

[MadBird]

Hey Mad ... I realize Kiran may move to guard to start his NFL career, and may even stat there. But he was listed as OT on NFL combine/draft site.

Yeah, that was a mistake, OT shoulda typed. But I saw where he has played G and also T and he's more highly regarded than I thought so what the heck. Like with Pedon and Spack, in Poles I trust!!

 

[fourthandshort]

Yeah, that was a mistake, OT shoulda typed. But I saw where he has played G and also T and he's more highly regarded than I thought so what the heck. Like with Pedon and Spack, in Poles I trust!!

Odds are, he will get his first shot at Guard position ... no matter how good he may be ... big jump from FCS Ivy to NFL, in particular Chicago Bears with all it's history, press and harsh fans.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Poles has completely transformed this roster from where it was when Pace was fired. It’s a very exciting time.

Still some holes to fill, but this wasn’t going to happen overnight. They have some draft ammunition next year where they can easily do what they did with adding Sweat during the season or attack the draft for defensive linemen.

Also, the schedule release happen in May. Not sure where you saw they were opening with Carolina. Have a hunch it will be one of the division foes like last year.

Pace is/was arguably the worst GM in the history of the NFL.