Ryan Poles understands how important television is to the NFL draft. So he was coy about his plans for the #1 overall pick, even though everybody knows the Chicago Bears are taking Caleb Williams. He said to wait for Thursday night when they’re on the clock. As for the 9th overall pick, even Poles doesn’t know. That is because he can’t predict how the board may fall from picks 2-8. There could be unexpected developments that force the Bears GM to switch gears. However, the evidence to this point is relatively clear.
People around the league believe the Bears will go one of two directions at #9 if they choose to stay put. They will either take one of the top wide receivers or grab a pass rusher. Here is where it gets interesting. Poles was asked at his pre-draft press conference whether he feels a dynamic edge rusher or interior rusher is more important to his team’s philosophy. His answer was telling.
Experts have connected the Bears to multiple top edge rushers in this class, such as Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Laiatu Latu. Yet, based on Poles’ comments, the name to watch tomorrow night is Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy.
Ryan Poles is still a partner of Matt Eberflus.
That is a relationship that can’t be overstated. The Bears head coach wants to run this organization through his defense. A Tampa-2 scheme functions at its best when it has a dynamic interior pass rusher. Think Warren Sapp in Tampa Bay, Tommie Harris in Chicago, Kevin Williams in Minnesota, and Ed Oliver in Buffalo. Murphy has drawn comparisons to Oliver leading up to the draft. While on the shorter side at 6’0, he has decent length, good lower body strength, and elite explosiveness. When allowed to shoot gaps, he could wreck offenses.
A combo of him and Montez Sweat could be a big problem for opponents to handle. Everything depends on how the board falls and Ryan Poles’ priorities. Some think he’s determined to help Williams as much as possible on offense. Adding another weapon would undoubtedly do that. Still, if the receivers are off the board, adding a pass rusher becomes the obvious play. Based on his comments on Tuesday, it would be shocking if Murphy wasn’t their pick.
Are the Bears really going to force the DT position again? Maybe Murphy at #19 or Newton at #29. If you are required to gamble, then take the dynamic DE Latu after a trade-down.
Not a fan of Murphy at nine whatsoever. Better players on the board, a better DT on the board in Newton. If we trade back and get a second, really happy with almost anyone. Almost lol.
Drafting Murphy at #9 would be an overdraft and a reach. The only way they do that is they are 100% sold on him like they were Darnell Wright last year. Murphy is pretty pitiful against the run, and Eberflus loves guys that can do both, not just a one trick pony, and that is why I see them getting Murphy only on after a trade down.
If they select Murphy at 9 I hope they think he’s better than Oliver. Oliver has really only had 1 great year and that was last year (his 5th season). Many looked at him as being over drafted up until then. We need a guy that can contribute immediately in the top 10. We can’t wait 5 years for our top 10 DT to have a break out year. I honestly think we just need more depth at DT and not necessarily a “starter”. I think Dexter is our future there.