good dolphin wrote:
I'm bouncing back and forth to determine MY GUY post Combine. I am assuming Barkly, Fitzpatrick and Chubb are gone and the other four spots are filled by QBs.
The current guys I'm thinking are:
Denzel Ward, CB, OSU- rehash the entire conversation from last year when we were talking about Lattimore and Hooker, except now the Bears are picking at a position where the top CB or S is acceptable. He grades out better than Lattimore and Hooker and I loved those guys. Both had good-great NFL seasons before injury. While his measurables grade out better I didn't see him as better in on field production. Still, there are many OSU observers who think he was better. Elite speed at the Combine (4.32) and in measuring up at 5'11" I'm now comfortable with his height. Drafting him means you have a young DB of great coverage guys most likely locked in for the next 3+ years. This could really develop into an elite unit of Ward, Fuller, Jackson and Amos.
Trumaine Edmunds, LB, VT- top measureables in terms of speed/and power and elite in terms of size (long arms on an already tall guy). He is only 19 so he may still grown. Can he play OLB and rush the passer. His dimensions say yes. Haven't really seen that aspect in college where he played MLB. If he cannot be a pass rushing OLB, I still think he could be a great ILB but that drops his value. As I've said before, he has Pace pick written all over him.
Marcus Davenport, DE/OLB, UTSA- a true pass rusher with 38 sacks in 4 years but obviously against inferior opponents. Bigger than Edmunds and just slightly slower but that allows him to be able to play both in a 2 and 3 point stance for the Bear. His PR skills are not refined and maybe he won't be able to step up in class. He had a very good Combine but you aren't hearing the raves about him you did before the senior bowls. This tells me GMs are shutting up hoping people pass on him. I could see this being a Pace pick as well.
I just don't see an offensive player I want at 8. Certainly there is no WR/TE worthy of the pick. They are not going QB. I do think either Nelson or Fitzpatrick will be there. While I would jump at Fitzpatrick and put him at CB, I'm going to pass on Nelson. I just see too many competent guards available every year to jump at one who may be spectacular. Anyway MY plan would be to move Whitehair to OG and either sign a FA or draft a C (would be nice if Billy Price fell to the 2nd).
I'm going with Nelson; young QB in Mitch who showed signs of seeing ghosts when in the pocket needs protection. Nelson would help slow the middle pressure and I've seen mentions that he could move to tackle.
Ward sounds good; also bring in a 2/3 CB in free agency since 3 CBs are needed in today's passing-centric offenses.
Davenport and Edmunds are intriguing prospects because of their pass rush potential, but I would trade down to pick one of them if available. The Leonard Floyd pick is still up in the air because of injury and his lack of strength.