The Chicago Bears won’t tell anybody what their plans are for the #1 pick. Yes, the popular idea is they will trade it. That remains the strongest possibility. However, there remains a likelihood they could stay put and make the pick. Perhaps the market for trades doesn’t develop as GM Ryan Poles hopes, or maybe he falls in love with a particular player he isn’t willing to pass on. Experts have weighed in with their thoughts. Predictably, the predictions vary. So what if one took human bias out of the equation?
Cynthia Frelund is among the most noteworthy analytics experts in the field. She uses straight numbers and computer simulations to determine how things will play out. She decided to conduct her own mock draft with these methods. Her choice for the Bears ended up being a familiar face, but how she arrived at it was a bit more technical.
“The Bears’ defensive front has many areas to address, and (Jalen) Carter has the profile to offer immediate help. His burst is the best in the class, per computer vision, and his run stopping ranks in the top 15 percent in the past eight seasons. Alignment versatility should help change the Bears’ ability to bring pressure and sacks, both areas where they ranked last in the league in 2022, with just 96 pressures and 20 sacks.”
Honestly, when the film study and raw data line up like this, it’s hard to deny. If the Bears stay put at #1, everything points to Carter being their choice.
The Chicago Bears must crystalize their thoughts on Carter.
Most evaluators agree the Georgia defensive tackle is the best pure talent in the 2023 class. When he is on, there wasn’t an offensive lineman in college football that could block him. That said, his lack of production and conditioning questions have led some to wonder how impactful he can be at the NFL level. It is never good when a player has questions about his work ethic. That is why the interviews Chicago will undoubtedly have with him over the next month could determine what they do with the pick. If he blows them away, it is possible Poles may not want to pass on what he may see as a future superstar.
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Carter has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles great Fletcher Cox. He has been the heart and soul for some great Eagles defenses with 65 career sacks, six Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl ring. Now he’s one game away from securing another. The best Chicago Bears defenses always had a dominant interior pass rush presence. Steve McMichael in the 1980s. Tommie Harris in the 2000s. Poles and Eberflus know how valuable somebody like that can be. If they think Carter is in that league, then staying put at #1 makes sense.
Why would anyone waste a talent like Anderson at SAM linebacker? I swear some of you don’t even watch football on Sundays. Let’s also put JF1 at MLB because he has speed.
Greg: The Bears could easily sign Payne or Carter, or get Buckner as part of a trade down with Indy, and still draft Carter if they think he’s legit. Two amazing studs on the inside of the defense would be better than one, no? One can upgrade at edge rusher in a lot of places in this draft, but a solid center would be amazing. Want to run on the Bears? Nope, doesn’t work. Probably won’t happen, but I’d love it if it did. The real question, for me, is whether Flus is willing to adjust his defense to players.… Read more »
Dean: Agree 100% about Carter/Goldman. But perhaps a better comparison would be Tommie Harris. Great potential, but health issues forced him into a short career. We knew this going in – combine docs said he had the knees of a 50 year old, coming out of college. I really hope that if we end up with Carter, the Bears scouts have done their due diligence and made sure he’s healthy and motivated. If those two things are true, he’s the best position fit for us at the top of this draft, but I’m not at all sure that they are.
Bears can build threw draft and free agents.payne Carter both still have picks and lots of money o line dine lb and wr is at top.they can win North.
For all the couch potato GM’s out there ; FA’s come first , lets hope Bears can get DaRon Payne or Javon Hargrave to play 3 tech DT .. im not sold on Carter , at Gea. he didnt play every down an i dont think he was great when he did … I’m a BIG Will Anderson fan , no i dont like Bama .. i would love it if Bears traded down to 4 an got him plus colts 2nd rnd pk plus others ….