Caleb Williams won’t say it outright, but he knows he’s going to the Chicago Bears at #1. That has been evident for months. He’s already having throwing sessions with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Word is he has been in constant communication with coaches, talking football. The guy will be wearing navy blue within the next few hours. The bigger question everybody is trying to answer is who the team might add alongside him with the 9th overall pick. Projections are all over the map on this.
Most experts tend to think it will go one of two directions. Either they will take one of the top three wide receivers, most likely Washington’s Rome Odunze, or they will grab a pass rusher of their choice. Williams spoke with the media ahead of the draft and was asked if he had a preference for who the Bears were to take. He admitted he loved the idea of pairing with one of the top receivers. However, that isn’t his first choice. If he had a say in things, he’d want to reunite with an old friend from high school.
Caleb Williams’ love for Fashanu is not misplaced.
While the Penn State left tackle hasn’t generated the same widespread hype as Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Alabama’s JC Latham, he remains a highly-touted prospect. Evaluators tend to agree that he’s the most naturally gifted pass protector in this class. His size, length, footwork, and anchor are all used in beautiful harmony to stonewall rushers. So why is he not generating more buzz? Many see him as somewhat raw with his technique, and he doesn’t stand out as a run-blocker. There is more growing for him to do. That said, if he reaches his potential, Fashanu would be a perennial Pro Bowler.
Here is where things get interesting. In the last 24 hours, three reputable sources projected Fashanu at the #9 spot. Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado and Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog had New Orleans trading up for him. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network had the Bears taking him outright. It seems there is an undercurrent of belief inside the league that Fashanu will go at that spot, one way or another. If the Bears have taken Caleb Williams’ input and are motivated to keep him happy, they could decide to go with this.
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Remember, GM Ryan Poles said he’s not above drafting a player, even if it looks like the Bears don’t have a pressing need at the position. His goal is to add great talent. Fashanu is more talented than Braxton Jones. Take that for what you will.
Nice pick at #9 — Rome Odunze.
Congratulations, Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears!
P.S. I like.my crow, medium rare.
@Rocketrider I imagine Poles could flip Jones today for, like, I don’t know, something? Maybe a third-round pick?
And for anybody who cares, I am being absolutely serious. If QB1 wants Fashanu at 1.09, then Poles job is to figure out how to make room for Fashanu as the starting LT. Poles is just going to have to placate and manage Williams until it becomes plainly obvious that he doesn’t need to.
Poles had better just draft Fashanu at 1.09 so that Caleb doesn’t flip his shit.
Honestly, maybe we don’t even need a GM.
Tonight, GM Ryan Poles has another opportunity to demostrate his genius in the NFL draft to the entire league.
Somebody wake Kevin Warren.
Also, the Bears could have a PR benefit by reuniting two high school friends/teammates who were at the top of their positions in college and now reuniting to be Bears–that is a nice human interest/make me feel good story to camouflage the costly stadium issue to arise.