jueves, 26 de abril de 2018

2018 Draft Prospects Post-Combine

   I did move some players around based on their combine results but just a few. The pro day results really didn't influence me much but did consider it for 2 or 3 players and although there where some prospects that where not invited to the combine that had good numbers I didn't have the time to go and watch some game play on them and get this posted before the draft. Instead I added the other positions I didn't include before.


RkWRRdRd
1Courtland Sutton1Steve Ishmael4
2Simmie Cobbs Jr2J'Mon Moore4
3Marcel Ateman2Chris Lacy4
4Equanimeous St. Brown3Cam Phillips4
5DJ Chark3Darren Carrington5
6James Washington3Allen Lazard5
7Cedric Wilson4Byron Pringle5
8Jordan Lasley4Dante Pettis5
9Auden Tate4Deon Cain6
10Jaleel Scott4Antonio Callaway6
Korey Robertson6
RkWRSBraxton Berrios7
1Calvin Ridley1Javon Wims7
2Christian Kirk2Trey Quinn7
3Anthony Miller2Davon Grayson7
4Deontay Burnett3Ray-Ray McCloud7
5Michael Gallup4Dylan Cantrell7
6DaeShon Hamilton4Marquez Valdes-Scantling7
7D.J. Moore5Tre'Quan Smith7
8Keke Coutee5Jester Weah7
9Steven Mitchell6Robert FosterFA
10Quadree Henderson7TJ MartinFA
Ka'Raun WhiteFA
Jake WienekeFA
Richie JamesFA
Brandon PowellFA

   Moved Ridley to a slot receiver because of his height and vertical jump results, wont hit his stock much but some might consider like me that he cant be a WR1 like Sutton. Cobbs, Ateman and Tate disappointed with their 40 time that isn't enough to show they can gain separation with speed. Washington for me will be the biggest looser with his combine numbers showing average agility and speed. Gallup and D.J. Moore will go early in the draft showing they are competitive receivers despite their body size. Lazard showed he has above average agility to go with his height. Cantrell, Valdez-Scantling, Smith and Weah showed enough skills in the combine to be considered on day 3.




RkOTRdRd
1Mike McGlinchey1Martinas Rankin4
2Brian O'Neil2Jamarco Jones4
3Isaiah Wynn2Toby Weathersby5
4Connor Williams2Tyrell Crosby5
5Kolton Miller3Chukwuma Okorafor5
6Orlando Brown3Ike Boettger5
7K.C. McDermott3David Bright5
8Geron Christian3Nick Gates6
9Desmond Harrison4Brett Toth6
10Joel Noteboom4Bentley Spain6
Brandon Parker7
Greg Senat7
Timon Parris7
Cole Madison7
Austin Corbett7
Will RichardsonFA
Alex CappaFA
Casey TuckerFA

   O'Neal impressed with his physical skill set to be considered on day 1, if he weren't so inexperienced he could of been a top 10 player. Miller is somewhat in the same boat as O'Neal I still have my doubts on him, he will be picked higher and maybe he should be. Brown isn't agile enough and should slide in day 2, Jones was even a bigger disappointment for me having atrocious numbers in the combine that should send him to day 3 along with Crosby.




RkG/CRdRd
1Quenton Nelson1Will Clapp5
2Isaiah Wynn1Austin Golson5
3Billy Price2Scott Quessenberry5
4Braden Smith2Sean Welsh5
5James Daniels3Brian Allen6
6Will Hernandez3Sam Mustipher7
7Tony Adams3Coleman Shelton7
8Bradley Bozeman4Mark KorteFA
9Frank Ragnow4Nick LinderFA
10Mason Cole4
   Hernandez is a big man and I would be surprised if he gets picked earlier even if he is still learning the position. 




RkDE/NTRdRd
1Vita Vea1Chad Thomas3
2Taven Bryan1Breeland Speaks3
3Da'Ron Payne1Jerry Tillery4
4R.J. McIntosh2Da'Shawn Hand4
5Harrison Phillips2Kendrick Norton4
6Andrew Brown2John Atkins4
7Tim Settle3B.J. Hill5
8Drew Bailey3Eddy Wilson5
9Kahlil McKenzie Jr3Rasheem Green5
10Duke Ejiofor3Jayln Holmes6
Folorunso Fatukasi6
Lowell Lotulelei6
Du'Vonta Lampkin6
Taylor Stallworth7
Joshua Frazier7
Matt ElamFA
Deadrin SenatFA
John Franklin-MyersFA
Bilal NicholsFA
Jojo WickerFA

   Bryan's agility could be seen on games but when put into numbers it just shows how much he is and how much better he can become if he learns the techniques of the position. Phillips has the size, strength and agility to become a really good player. Settle showed he cant move his size as some would wish he did, right now hi looks like a run stopping plug. I switched Thomas to a three point stance because he carries to much weight, should be better as a 4-3 end.




RkOLB/EDGERdRd
1Bradley Chubb1James Hearns4
2Sam Hubbard1Dorance Armstrong Jr5
3Harold Landry1Shaq Griffin5
4Arden Key2Leon Jacobs5
5Marcus Davenport2Tyquan Lewis5
6Lorenzo Carter3Jeff Holland6
7Kemoko Turay3Hercules Mata'afa6
8Uchenna Nwosu3Mike McCray6
9Josh Sweat4Marquis Haynes6
10Ogbonnia Okoronkwo4Davin Bellamy7
Marcell Frazier7
Olasunkanmi Adeniyi7
Peter Kalambayi7
Trevon Young7
Ade Aruna7
Kylie Fitts7
Fred Warner7
Jacob Pugh7
Chris CovingtonFA
Joel IyiegbuniweFA
Darius JacksonFA
   Landry showed he should be evaluated by his 2016 tape with his results. Davenport is so physically gifted that his lack of experience against top prospects could be ignored. Carter is fast and nimble, what you want in a rushing OLB. Sweat impressed me with his numbers and is a very intriguing player. Key showed to the combine lighter but didn't show he got quicker, some team that really likes his tape maybe will pick him higher.




RkILBRdRd
1Roquan Smith1Micah Kiser4
2Tremaine Edmunds1Dorian O'Daniel4
3Leighton Vander Esch2Tegray Scales5
4Darius Leonard2Skai Moore5
5Jack Cichy2Jerome Baker5
6Rashaan Evans3Chris Worley6
7Malik Jefferson3Josey Jewell6
8Jason Cabinda3Kendall Joseph6
9Matthew Thomas3Azeem Victor6
10Christian Sam4Keishawn Bierria6
Shaun Dion Hamilton7
Garret Dooley7
Genard Avery7
Kenny Young7
Oren Burks7
Nick DeLucaFA
Andre SmithFA
Thomas and Baker had impressive results, if had more time I would have seen more game play by them, would surprise me if both go day 2.




RkCBRdRd
1Denzel Ward1D.J. Reed2
2Jaire Alexander1Tarvarus McFadden3
3Joshua Jackson1Nick Nelson3
4Duke Dawson1Kevin Toliver II3
5Isaiah Oliver2Levi Wallace4
6Mike Hughes2Isaac Yiadom4
7Carlton Davis2Tony Brown4
8Donte Jackson2Kameron Kelly4
9Holton Hill2Taron Johnson4
10Anthony Averett2Michael Joseph5
Christian Campbell5
Danny Johnson5
Jordan Thomas5
J.C. Jackson6
Davontae Harris6
Quenton Meeks6
Rashard Fant6
Parry Nickerson6
Kamrin Moore7
M.J. Stewart7
Darius Phillips7
Brandon Facyson7
Dane Cruikshank7
Avonte Maddox7
Andre Chachere7
Grant Haley7
Chandon Sullivan7
Henre' ToliverFA
Jamarcus KingFA
Rashaan GauldenFA
Sean ChandlerFA
Dee DelaneyFA
Chris JonesFA
D'Montre WadeFA
Tracy WalkerFA
Greg StromanFA
   Ward and Alexander should go 1 and 2 as the first CBs taken. Donte Jackson and Avarrett really helped themselves in the combine with great 40 times that should put them to go no later than the second round. McFadden and Kelly on the other hand showed their lack of speed and will result in  knock on their value.




RkSRdRd
1Derwin James1Troy Apke3
2Minkah Fitzpatrick1Armani Watts4
3Kyzir White1Quin Blanding4
4DeShon Elliott1Jessie Bates III4
5Marcus Allen2Natrell Jamerson4
6Ronnie Harrison3Siran Neal4
7Justin Reid3Terrell Edmunds5
8Van Smith3Joshua Kalu5
9Jordan Whitehead3Stephen Roberts5
10Damon Webb3Dominick Sanders5
Tre Flowers6
Marcell Harris6
Godwin Igwebulke7
Jamar Summers7
Max Redfield7
   James is hands down more athletic than Fitzpatrick, maybe the later has more instincts but I don't think its by much, right now James looks more like a SS but should be able to play FS as well. I'm a fan of White and Elliott, White is more aggressive but Elliott has more ball skills. Bates on the other hand I am not a big believer if his skills, he is more of a cover safety that had production as a ball hawk but I don't know if it will transfer to the NFL. This seems to be a good group of safety's but where did Apke come from? he just blazed on his 40 time and showed skills, his film is good but really didn't hear about him until he ran a low 4.2, really interested in what team he lands with.




RkTERdRd
1Mark Andrews1Jaylen Samuels4
2Troy Fumagalli2Andrew Vollert5
3Hayden Hurst2Marcus Baugh5
4Mike Gesicki2Adam Breneman5
5Christopher Herndon2Dalton Schultz6
6Dallas Goedert3David Wells6
7Durham Smythe3Ian Thomas6
8Tyler Conklin3Blake Mack7
9Jordan Akins4Ethan Wolf7
10Ryan Izzo4Cam Serigne7
Danny Friend7
Jeb BlazevichFA
DeAndre GoolsbyFA
Tommy MyersFA
Jordan ThomasNA
Brandon LingenNA
Austin RobertsNA
Will DisslyNA
   Hurst is the majorities top TE for this year but I like Andrew more because for me he is more an all around TE as for Hurst he more a pass catcher only. Gesicki dominated in the TE class in the combine, maybe enough to be picked in round 1. This group seems weak but I can see potential in the bottom 10 players.




RkRBRdRd
1Saquon Barkley1Nyheim Hines4
2Nick Chubb1Bo Scarbrough4
3Ronald Jones II1Josh Adams4
4Sony Michel2Mark Walton4
5Royce Freeman2James Butler4
6Derrius Guice2Kalen Ballage4
7Akrum Wadley2D'Ernest Johnson4
8Rashaad Penny3Darrel Williams5
9Justin Crawford3Lavon Coleman5
10John Kelly3Jarvion Franklin5
L.J. Scott5
Kerryon Johnson5
Jordan Wilkins5
Chris Warren5
Dimitri Flowers5
Ray Lawry6
Kamryn Pettway6
Ralph Webb6
Ito Smith6
Justin Jackson6
Kyle Hicks6
Chase Edmonds7
De'Angelo Brewer7
Jeffrey Wilson7
Dalyn Dawkins7
Larry Rose III7
Ryan Nall7
Demario Richard7
Jordan ChunnFA
Jalin MooreFA
Nick WilsonFA
Terry SwansonFA
Phillip LindsayFA
Roc ThomasFA
Warren BallNA
Osharmar AbercrombieNA
Nick BawdenNA
Donnie ErnsbergerNA
   A lot of people are raving about Guise and it wasn't until today I read that he was supposedly playing hurt in his 2017 season, and showed better play the year before. I'm not going to change my ranking of him but if he goes in the first round well then ill know that team like the 2016 version of him. Scarborough is an interesting player with size and good hands who can be a really good change of pace back.




RkQBRdRd
1Josh Rosen1Luke Falk4
2Sam Darnold1Chase Litton4
3Baker Mayfield1J.T. Barrett5
4Josh Allen2Logan Woodside5
5Lamar Jackson2Quinton Flowers5
6Mason Rudolph2Matt Linehan5
7Riley Ferguson2Austin Allen6
8Kurt Benkert2Nick Stevens6
9Mike White3Nic Shimonek6
10Kyle Lauletta3Danny Etling7
Anu Solomon7
Tanner Lee7
Brandon SilversFA
Alex McGoughFA
Jeremiah BriscoeFA
Cooper BatemanNA
Kyle AllenNA
Max BrowneNA
   Finally the mysterious QB class, who will make his team a genius or a buffoon. Rosen looks the part but he could end up being the next Sam Bradford. Darnold could be clutch like Matthew Stafford but how accurate can he be? Mayfield is missing 3 inches in height to be the top QB for this year but maybe he doesn't need them. Allen I don't trust, but what an arm. Jackson can make everyone look stupid if he pans out. The bottom 10 will fight to get the chance to be a starter or to be forever in bench mode.

So at last I can leave this here and come back to see how I did in my first position ranking. So there.

martes, 17 de abril de 2018

Pre-Draft 2018 Free Agent Signings

   Its almost time for the draft to begin so the free agency frenzy is over for the Bears, I really don't believe they will try and get Dez Bryant although they may have the cash to make it happened, his sideline and locker room presence is something I would keep away from a young team like this one. So lets see what we got for this year and who is coming back (underlined are the new acquisitions).

QB
Tyler Bray
Chase Daniels

   I didn't expect it to be both of the guys i saw fit to be signed as backup QBs. So with Trubisky set as QB1 did Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy felt like competition for the backup spot was necessary? Sounds good to me, will another one come from this draft? Wouldn't hurt if a pick is used in someone talented who slides down on the later rounds.


RB
Benny Cunningham

   I like having Cunningham as a 3rd down back, he showed his reliability as a runner and pass catcher. So once he was signed and clearing off the rumors of Jordan Howard trades, it wasn't necessary to look for further depth in FA, the draft is still an option in the later rounds for some fresh legs but still there is not a real need here.


TE
Trey Burton
Daniel Brown

   Someone likes to use his TEs. This was a surprise for me and I had to read some articles to really agree on the signing. I didn't think they needed another TE unless they thought Adam Shaheen wasn't ready or was considered a bust or that Dion Sims was to be released. But now I understand that Nagy now has a good variety of players in the position to execute different formations with Shaheen being the big target TE, Sims the blocking TE and now Burton, the agile TE to be a mismatch against slow LBs. This makes me think that they will be using multiple TE formations and will give Howard and Cohen one or two more body's on the field to potentially block for them. I don't believe that they will use any pick on another TE this year with what they got now on the roster.


WR
Allen Robinson
Taylor Gabriel
Bennie Fowler
Joshua Bellamy

   So Allen was the choice to be the WR1 for this year. Now with Cameron Meredith going to the Saints, it will be Kevin White who will have to be on the other end. Both are physically scary but it will all depend on their health so they can be on the field and work with Mitchell Trubisky to get on the same page. Gabriel I assume will rotate with the TEs to bring speed on the field when needed. The lates addition of Fowler gives experienced depth to the position to battle a spot against anyone how gets drafted or the young guys already on the team. I hope to see Bellamy on the field only on SP, it would mean really bad news if he gets in as a WR meaning someone got hurt or someone really sucked. This years crop of WR is weak early on, but gets better value come day 2 and forth, getting some depth in the middle rounds would be a good idea.


OL
Bradley Sowell
Earl Watford

   So Ja´Wuan James wasn't available in FA (my bad) and Cameron Fleming got pick up by Dallas were the rich get richer on OL. I though Tom Compton played better than Sowell but still both of them are backups at best and the only singing on FA was Watford who right now is just another dude. So there is still the chance of improvement on the T position and LG is open for takes to see who wants it more or go for someone on draft day preferably on day two although it may be wishful thinking of my part to believe a plug and play player will fall that far, but it has happened before.


DL
John Jenkins

Jenkins will continue to be  Eddie Goldman´s backup. Not re-singing Mitch Unrein and not bringing someone else from FA does show that the team trusts Roy Robertson-Harris and Christian Bullard to take the load rotating the other DE position. That statement can be sealed if they don't pick a DL player early in the draft. There are some intriguing options so I'm really interested to know if they have someone in sight.


LB
Aaron Lynch
Sam Acho
John Timu

   Lynch, Acho and Timu are proven backups but that still leaves a hole on one OLB position and leaves the MLB position vulnerable if Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwitkoski get hurt, and Kwitkoski is still new to the system and hasn't showed if he can be a reliable starter. Pass rush is the biggest need the Bears lack and it has to be prioritized at this years draft.


DB
Kyle Fuller
Prince Amukamara
Sherrick McManis
Marcus Cooper

   Signing Fuller away from the Packers only makes the deal sweeter besides filling a big need at the position. Bringing back Amukamara makes the secondary have stability in Vic Fangios system, that gives added value to both signings. McManis will stay as the big SPs player, Copper will get another chance to try and contribute as a backup and on dime formations. There is good talent in this years draft but with need in other areas it will be interesting to see when or if they pick a DB.


K
Cody Parkey

   I would have preferred they stayed with Mike Nugent to compete with Parkey, just in case he gets injured again before the season starts. There is still a chance they pick someone else before training camp.


P
Pat O´Donnell

   Yeah this is good, good for you Pat.


LS
Patrick Scales

   Scales it is.


Players signed by other teams
Tom Compton - Vikings
Andre DePaola - Raiders
Mike Glennon - Cardinals
Christian Jones - Lions
Pernell McPhee- Redskins
Cairo Santos - Jets
Josh Sitton - Dolphins
Mitch Unrein - Bucs
Kendall Wright - Vikings
Cameron Meredith - Saints

   Meredith will be the most followed player by Bears fans to see if Pace and crew made the right decision on not matching his contract to retain him. I don't think it was a no-brainer to get him back, the injury was reported to be severe making it harder to tell if he would return being the same player and he has only one full season on his resume to evaluate and that season showed he could be a good player but that's it, he is still a player under evaluation almost as much as White and signing him would have made White harder to tell if he was worth the high pick or not, his 5th year option is gone so its now or never to see what he has and what he could be going forward. Another player that will be under the microscope will be Sitton who left the team with a hole that doesn't feel it has been filled yet. Jones could be another player who could be missed depending on Kwotkoskis development as well as both his and Trevathans health. Glennon and McPhee where cap casualties, McPhee at least gave direction and value to the team while he was there, Glennon just didn't have a real chance with the type of player and talent he has. Wright just got replaced for someone who I hope is better of fits better with the scheme in Gabriel. Unrein played good and often to help the defense in his three seasons with the team and every Bears fan should appreciate his play while he was there.


Players not re-signed
Lamarr Houston
Dontrell Inman
Zach Miller
Mike Nugent
Mark Sanchez

   I don't get why Inman is still a FA, he at least would give experience to the depth chart and would come cheap. Houston, Miller and Nugent can be called if needed if still available. Whats up with Sanchez and his four game ban for PED use? I considered re-signing him, so is this another reason to the vast "this is why I'm not a GM" list?


RFA
Bryce Callahan

   This is the only pending thing I'm waiting to happen, is to not see Callahan go to another roster if possible, if he goes somewhere else, the DB need will go up a bit for this draft.

sábado, 10 de marzo de 2018

Free Agency 2018

   Its almost the start of the 2018 free agency period and the Browns are kicking doors open and searching every venue to get together a team that can save them from their eternal winning drought. I say it was about time they started panicking in a good way. 
   I listed some free agent prospects that I think the Bears should consider for each position, in bold letters are the names of players I would like on the team and the others to be considered for depth at the position.

QB
Josh McCown
Tyler Bray
Chase Daniel


   If they don't re-sign Mark Sanchez who would bring a familiar face and voice for Mitch Trubisky's continued development, maybe they can bring another voice of experience in Josh McCown if it doesn't bother him to be on the bench. Maybe bring in Bray who worked with now HC Matt Nagy.


RB
Jerick McKinnon
Alfred Morris
Christine Michael
Branden Oliver


   Although this position doesn't really need any more personnel if Bennie Cunningham gets re-signed, the talks of Jordan Howard not fitting in Nagys system is somewhat worrisome. McKinnon would be the closest thing to a RB who can go through tackles, be elusive and be good at catching the ball somewhat like Kareem Hunt is for the Chiefs. Morris or Michael could be backups to Howard while Oliver resembles Tarik Cohen.
   

WR
Allen Robinson
Sammy Watkins
Paul Richardson
Albert Wilson
Terrelle Pryor
Ryan Grant
Taylor Gabriel
John Brown
Jaron Brown


   Robinson and Watkins can be considered the top available but bring some already present predicaments. Robinson is coming of a knee tear just like Cam Meredith and Watkins has his injured foot issues, add in Kevin Whites already long injury history and one starts to wonder if Ryan Pace wants to risk having more of the same, but I understand that calculated risks have to be taken, if Watkins is more intriguing and looks to be the faster player, Robinson is what we should have in White if he were more on the field. Richarson is something in between because he has had his knee teared but has managed to return and show he can still play at a high level, he could make Marcus Wheaton earn his salary or simply replace him. Pryor is an interesting player that may have struggled because of Washington's system, he still can be the player he was with the Browns but I would only consider taking him if Dontrell Inman isn't re-signed. Wilson is already being considered by many to end up with the Bears because of Nagy, looks like and above average WR2 at best but can push others to play better and would have the advantage of being familiar with the system. Grant, Gabriel and both Brown's can be considered for the slot if Kendall Wright doesn't return.


TE
NONE

   Moving on.


G/C
Andrew Norwell
Zach Fulton
Evan Smith


   I'm only considering Norwell here because Josh Sitton got cut and there is a hole at guard that could be filled d by Eric Kush but then there is no backup if (knock on wood) Kyle Long gets hurt, there is a need for a quality G and it should be prioritized. Keeping track on Nagy's ex-players that he can get back, Fulton looks at least like a good backup that can compete. Smith is an injury prone veteran that could consider being a backup at C and debunk Hroniss Grasu who looks like he just doesn't have it.



OT
Cameron Fleming
Ja'Wuan James

   Both Fleming and James are good players that can anchor the RT spot, I prefer Fleming just because he didn't get injured last season although I do believe James is the better player.


DE/NT
Sheldon Richardson
Bennie Logan

   John Jenkins should be re-signed for NT depth and rotation but they could try and do better by signing Bennie Logan. Mitch Unrein is a very serviceable DE but with Sheldon Richardson in the market the Bears should consider going for him.


OLB/EDGE
Kareem Martin
Jerry Attaochu


   The lack of outside pass rushers in this years free agency pool worries me, Martin and Attaochu could be serviceable OLB's like Sam Acho but none of them seem to have what it takes to get consistently to the QB. I was not a fan on the decision of letting Willie Young go although he already made it known that OLB wasn't his ideal position.

ILB
Zach Brown
Derrick Johnson


   Christian Jones played well enough to be considered to return. Brown can come in and compete for the job or the Bears can go big and get Jonhson then draft a rookie so he can learn from him.



CB
Trumaine Johnson
Ross Cockrell
Aaron Colvin
Dontae Johnson


   With Kyle Fuller almost guaranteed to return, they need to think very carefully if they want to re-sign Prince Amukamara back or go all in on Johnson who I really like how he plays. Cockrell can push or shove aside Marcus Cooper if he keeps playing poorly. Colvin and Johnson I consider to be value backups for the nickel and dime. Sherick McMannis is a very good ST player and should be re-signed.


S
NONE

   Don't think we need any from this pool.


K
Caleb Sturgis
Cody Parkey


   At least one has to stay between Mike Nugent and Cairo Santos, there should be two on the roster to compete against each other. Sturigs returning from injury and Parkey accurate from within 50 but not beyond, I believe are the better candidates.


P
Dustin Colquitt


   Pat O'donnell should be re-singed but if not there is another Chief that could take his place in  Colquitt.


   Pace can soften the need on WR and CB with this pool and maybe some more on other positions, but its clear to me that a pass rushing OLB has to come from the draft and to pick one early should be the main focal point .