They say the most accurate information tends to come out right before the draft. That is when teams have their boards set and a fairly good idea of how things will unfold, at least in the 1st round. However, this year has been more difficult due to an overall lack of star power at the top. That makes a team like the Chicago Bears, who pick 10th overall, among the more challenging projections. The rumors and picks have been all over the place for the past few weeks. Many see them moving up to get Ashton Jeanty. Others see the staying put and taking a left tackle. Some have said pass rusher.
GM Ryan Poles could go in any direction. Still, something interesting unfolded right before the draft begins. Several top draft experts and insiders have released their final projections before things start. Instead of remaining along the same pattern of one or two specific positions, a consensus has emerged. Not only do they all predict the same position, but the same player.
Field Yates (ESPN)
10. Chicago Bears
Yates’ pick prediction: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Dane Brugler (The Athletic)
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10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Albert Breer (The MMQB)
10. Chicago Bears
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network)
10. Chicago Bears
Tyler Warren · Penn State · TE · Senior
Even Peter Schrager and Matt Miller have a tight end going at that spot. Miller has them taking Coleston Loveland, and Schrager has the Colts taking Warren.
The Chicago Bears appear linked to Warren more than any prospect.
Sure, this could be a coincidence. Then again, for this many well-connected insiders to drop the same name within hours of each other feels impossible to explain away. It is possible they’ve all heard the same information and made quick adjustments to their mock drafts. Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson values the tight end position. He coached it in both Miami and Detroit before ascending to offensive coordinator. He turned Sam LaPorta into a Pro Bowler for the Lions. If he feels Cole Kmet doesn’t offer the pass-catching upside he needs, then Warren or Loveland are obvious targets. It is clear the Bears remain focused on improving the offense. If the running back and offensive tackle pools are picked clean by #10, tight end will be the most loaded position remaining.
Right Position, wrong player … and so it goes
New hed: “Every Top Insider’s Take Aged Like Milk”
@Krisanthony I wouldn’t disagree with any of that. “Look, nobody knows whether these decisions are good or bad until three years after they’re made,” a perfectly reasonable argument, is not the same thing as “oh come on Barry, last off-season was perfect, Poles has the biggest brain and he chose the QB1 with the hugest balls and everybody but you knows it.” Anyone who’s in the first camp should not be talking like they’re in the second camp. Anyone who is not sure whether Poles is a good GM or a bad GM can just say that instead of excitedly… Read more »
Dr. M I totally agree with your thoughts on Graham & Jeanty. I am really hoping one of them is a Bear after tonight.
Barry, I was 100% agreeing with you in regard to Poles trade history. Not sure how that was confusing honestly. It’s been pretty bad. He got lucky on the Carolina trade, but that’s ok, it turned out to be a great trade. That’s the only trade that one could consider good. The Sweat trade looked good until they paid him. Now it looks average at best. Claypool trade was awful, Fields trade was worse than awful, Bates was a bad trade, Allen wasn’t a “bad” trade until u consider he let a better, younger & cheaper WR walk in Mooney.… Read more »