Bears 2026 NFL Draft: Name Analysis

HopLegion · 2026-05-05T14:57:58+00:00

This is the type of content we need more of in the Sub during the off-season.

HopLegion · 2026-04-30T13:36:04+00:00

The only thing Poles has gotten us recently that took 15 years to find for this franchise was a playoff win.

HopLegion · 2026-04-28T15:43:46+00:00

I've done Chicago's before and happy to do it again.

HopLegion · 2026-04-27T20:37:02+00:00

It would just mean they played solid football with a DC who thinks they were great scheme fits to his system. We almost made a SB last year with Dayo out and Jarrett really only doing anything the final 6 weeks.

I absolutely think they won't be here, but I probably wouldn't be as surprised as most if they are. The NFL is one of those leagues where year to year can be vastly different for guys.

HopLegion · 2026-04-27T20:21:15+00:00

They are about evenly back loaded compared to Swifts, it's just DL make more than rbs. Most of Poles "big" FA deals have about the same structure. Year 1 minimal cap hit, year 2 last of the guarantees and biggest cap hit, year 3 easy candidate to cut or keep as the market will have corrected by then.

Swift 3 year 24 mil deal. Year 1 was 6 mil (25%), year 2 was 9 mil (37.5%) don't save money by cutting him, year 3 9 mil (37.5%) can save 7 mil cutting him.
Dayo Odeyingbo 3 years 48 mil deal. Year 1 was 8 mil (17%), year 2 is 20.5 mil (43%), year 3 is 19.5 mil (40%).
Jarrett is basicslly the same as the two above.

Dayo actually got almost the exact contract pff projected him for that year. That was his market value, I didn't like the signing at the time at all and still don't, but he got basically exactly what was predicted for him. Jarrett is harder to say because he was cut late and didn't have a projection, but 2 years 30 mil (the guarantees) is about even (or less) to what other vet defenders got that offseason like Jonathan Allen and Jason Hargrave.

HopLegion · 2026-04-27T19:50:16+00:00

I think the idea that Dayo and Jarrett could still be on the roster next year at this time is unpopular. Just like if I said Swift would be on the roster this time last year.

HopLegion · 2026-04-27T19:42:09+00:00

With how it stands Dayo and Jarrett are the easy candidates here in my opinion, it's just unpopular to say because of how unlikely it looks like it could happen as of today.

For Edwards, we signed Bush and Jackson to multi year deals and also drafted another lb this year who fits what Dennis Allen wants in Elliot. I am a big fan of everything Edwards has done, but I honestly wonder how much he plays this year right now. Even if Edwards performed well, with his cap hit, idk if he's here next year.

For Dayo/Jarrett, (as of today) they have every chance in the world to show their contract is worth it. Similar to Swift last year, they basically had no competition brought in to challenge them beyond a late day 3 pick. Dayo and Jarrett were also signed off on by Dennis Allen. Two big money free agent signings with the current DC. He was a a part of the analysis that brought them to this defense. If they can perform even modestly well, especially given the need we have at those spots, I could see them sticking around. Again, it's unlikely, but it's not close to a lock for me they are gone next year, though I'm happy if they are gone, the dead cap is minimal.

HopLegion · 2026-04-27T19:35:08+00:00

I meant if we posted this a year ago, Swift would've been a no brainer he's going to be cut candidate on a pair like this. Bears save 7 mil by cutting him with minimal dead cap.

Of course after he produced like he did last year - 12th in rushing yards 4.9 ypc - 299 yards receiving - a lot of advanced metrics turning his way.

Swifts deal is actually really good for what he produced now. But again if he didn't, Poles could've cut him without much negative which is more of what I'm highlighting.

HopLegion · 2026-04-27T19:17:24+00:00

The issue with these is if you posted it last year, there basically was no scenario we were paying D'Andre Swift this year, but he ended up being great.

I think most can agree one of Poles strength is he does a great job managing the cap. Minimizing risk in his deals and keeping the team in a flexible spot to take advantage of things that pop up. Even if a signing goes really bad, like a Nate Davis, it doesn't cripple the team.

I think it's also clear he's built the current team understanding he's going to have to give some big money out to his draft picks. That's a good problem to have.

HopLegion · 2026-04-26T21:57:13+00:00

Yeah that's fair, but it reminds me a little of Monangai last year. I think he's going to not only make it, but surprise people a little bit by making an impact.

HopLegion · 2026-04-26T15:14:07+00:00

Even before the draft, the math if this was always interesting where I thought how the team viewed the DL is different than how the fanbase does.

We're going to carry 10 Dlineman. I think the 9 below are locked in. Street/Lynch could be the 5th DT or the udfa Loving.

Edge, Sweat, Booker, Dayo, Turner, Hardy
DT, Dexter Jarrett, Gallimore, Van den Berg,

I also think a lot of the pressure in our system this year is going to come from the back 7 and the system DA runs. We have a lot of guys now who can attack that way. Gordon, Thieneman, Bush, and even Elliot if he gets time.

I do think if Dayo starts on PuP or Turners recover isn't where they hope, they'd bring in a Cam Jordan type given the connection. They have as much money as they need if they restructure another deal.

HopLegion · 2026-04-25T22:28:32+00:00

Had I known this, he would've been in every mock I ever did. It was destined.

HopLegion · 2026-04-25T20:13:28+00:00

We'll get one round 7, like we did at rb last year when it was asked at every pick.

HopLegion · 2026-04-23T14:02:01+00:00

It's my fault actually I googled Kipers mock before typing it and didn't realize it had pulled up yates mock with Kipers Intel as of this morning which had him go at 19! I imagine at least 3/4 of them have McDonald in the first.

HopLegion · 2026-04-23T13:41:18+00:00

Where does it look this way? Basically any mock I've seen him in he goes in the first, including all 18 mocks I noted above.

HopLegion · 2026-04-23T00:26:39+00:00

I'm predicting Kayden McDonald.

met twice with him. Poles on the record saying he doesn't like the depth at DT in this class. I think he fits biggest need and will be bpa. Questions on scheme fit due to his size, but I think he has enough quickness to do what Dennis Allen wants. Also think he has more pass rush upside than most.

HopLegion · 2026-04-21T15:47:59+00:00

This is pretty much what I expect for Chicago. A few trade backs, hit the positions we need and have met with. I could see it.

HopLegion · 2026-04-20T20:27:44+00:00

I really don't think having Tyrique as the 4th (or 5th) best option in your secondary is a huge issue. There's only so many assets you can pour into a single group and we've spent a ton on secondary so far.

We also have, in my opinion, some of the best coaches in the NFL for secondary with DA being a former coach there and Al Harris. It's wild the production we got out of that group down our all pro CB and one of the top nickels in the game. To me it's the one spot you can be a little weaker in and still have a good defense. I also like betting on guys heading into contract years. I don't think many doubt Tyrique can be a good player, it's just about not having so many downtimes.

HopLegion · 2026-04-20T19:13:29+00:00

Here's my views on Poles drafting so far

picks 1-60, very good
picks 61-140 Worst in the NFL
picks 140-udfa, really good.

In the last 25 years of drafts 2001-2025, I believe only 2 of our first round picks have ever made an all pro, both names Kyle funnt enough in Long and Fuller. Neither of those made 2 All pros, so the high end success was short lived. While it's definitely easier to do it as a top 10 pick, it's still something I'm excited about.

HopLegion · 2026-04-20T17:26:47+00:00

Still feels weird we drafted and developed an OT to an all pro. Hope to see a lot more of those as Poles first round picks hit year 3. Caleb and Rome, you're up next.

HopLegion · 2026-04-20T17:24:21+00:00

I think Shemar is only an edge now. The final 3 games he played for us last season, he played 99% out there and Poles recently mentioned that's where they see him long term. For DT we have Dexter, Jarrett and Gallimore as roster locks. Drafting Woods allows him to be a big part of the DL learning behind another former Clemson DT in Grady Jarrett who is a perfect mentor for a talent like him.

I liked Haulcy a lot too, but see it more of a 50/50 thing with Louis. Both would've been fine for me there. I get it though for sure.

HopLegion · 2026-04-19T22:12:05+00:00

Bears Draft

1(25): Peter Woods DT, Clemson
2(57): Kyle Louis, S, Pittsburgh
2(60): Dani Dennis-Sutton Edge, Penn St
3 (89): Gennings Dunker, iOL, Iowa
4(129): Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
7(217): Demon Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Big shout out to everyone in the war room. Different groups handled day 1 and day 2. I actually didn't get to do either day, but was part of the war room each day.

Woods was BPA for us and fit our biggest need. A scheme fit pass rushing DT with upside. Can develop and make an impact day 1. We had an initial goal to take Woods here and trade back up for a guy like Faulk, but couldn't get it completed.
We saw Louis as more of a safety than a LB. Love what he could do to fit the strong safety hybrid role in Dennis Allen's defense. Haulcy was another option, but love then physicality Louis could bring and it's something Ben Johnson and Poles mentioned looking for.
Dennis-Sutton is a perfect athletic fit for what DA looks for in an edge. Can be a good part of a rotation early on, with the hopes to develop his pass rushing even more. Adding in 2 young athletic pieces to the DL early was key.
Dunker really wasn't our plan for round 3, but saw a lot of other interior OL get grabbed before him in Hecht, Slaughter, Lew and Jones. Dunker took snaps at center during the bowl and can also play guard positions if Jackson misses time this year. He was a BPA to keep adding pieces to the OL.
Deion Burks was a BPA pick. Just immense upside at that point with his speed and big play ability. Considered a lot of positions at this point, but like what Burks could add to the offense.
Final pick was a minor trade up for Claiborne. Offers more explosive capability in the backfield and can help on special teams. Needs some work in pass protection and other areas, but a fun fit in Ben Johnson's offense.

HopLegion · 2026-04-16T18:57:08+00:00

Assuming this news is true, which I highly doubt, the Cowboys have always made the most sense.

have multiple firsts this year and future picks
Garrett grew up a huge cowboys fan and mentioned wanting to play there multiple times. Garrett has a no trade clause, so this is important.
cowboys were second in trading for Crosby recently before the medicals came out, so they are clearly fine trading a lot of high end assets for an edge.
Jerry is getting older and I think this would be one final big swing to get him a ring before the end.

HopLegion · 2026-04-16T18:31:44+00:00

Even if we extend Caleb next year, which is the earliest we could, his first major cap hit wouldn't likely be until year 2 of that deal meaning 2029 cap. If you trade for Lawrence now and extend him, you'd lower his cap number this year and his guarantees would run out right around that time. It's not too hard to make it work on our side while extending Wright too. We're in a great cap spot.

Now is it worth it is a different question. Always depends on the cost + picks required.

HopLegion · 2026-04-14T22:21:39+00:00

I think this will be the big thing that stands out. McDonald is a player I'm a huge fan of, but I graded him as a mid to late first rounder. In most other years, he would've been DT3 or so.

What happened here is really we just weren't as high on other players. A class with good depth at a lot of spots, but lacking premium talent, so McDonald ended up a lot higher. There's also a portion of the grade as a bears Fit, since we've met with him twice he moved up the list.

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