They select players,

for three days in late April.

Nobody. Knows. Shit.

From PFF:

White doesn’t have the same special teams workload history as the other players on this list, but his 2024 season was stellar. His 91.9 PFF special teams grade was the highest grade for a college player in six seasons. White blocked four punts on his 53 punt return team snaps in 2024. One of those blocked punts, versus Hawaii, led to a safety, and another against Syracuse was recovered by a teammate for a touchdown.

White also recovered a blocked punt (not his) for a touchdown against Fresno State. He made a tackle short of the line to gain on a fake punt attempt by San Diego State, resulting in a turnover on downs. When not blocking punts, White was effective at helping the vice double-team the opposing gunner.

From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

Effective jamming gunners and rushing punters. Punt-blocking machine in 2024 with four blocks.

My Thoughts:

• Who blocks four punts in a season? Why not use a late round pick on a guy who can potentially be this devastating on specials?

From Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com:

Warren is a massive tight end who carried the Penn State offense this past season. He lined up in-line, in the slot and as a Wildcat quarterback. His production is the result of his size, catch radius and tenacity. He doesn’t generate a lot of separation as a route runner, but he walls off defenders when on the move. Defenders simply can’t get through his body to make plays on the ball. He can track the ball over his shoulder and he can high-point the ball when needed. He isn’t a nifty option-route type of player. After the catch, defenders bounce off him or go along for a ride as he drags them for extra yardage. As a Wildcat quarterback, he creates space with his power and leg drive. He’s effective in the run game and looks to finish when possible. Overall, he isn’t as dynamic as Rob Gronkowski was during his career, but Warren is a similar player in a lot of ways.

My Thoughts:

• The best player in this draft.
• What I love about Warren is he’s a real tight end, not one of these fellas masquerading at the position. Warren wants to line up and block people and the tight ends that can do that well (i.e. the aforementioned Gronk) are ruthless down around the goal line.
• I don’t understand the sentiment that Cole Kmet’s presence rules out the drafting of Warren. Why? Always be adding weapons. Always! I’m fine with the Bears passing on Warren if they have an equal or better grade on a player at a specific position of need. I’m not fine with the Bears passing on Warren because they already have a good player at the position on the roster.

From Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com:

Graham is a powerful defensive tackle with outstanding leverage and instincts. He’s one of the most consistent players in the draft class. Against the run, he has an impressive short-area burst to attack blockers. He excels in block destruction. He stacks, finds the ball, chucks blockers to the side and collects tackles. He has lateral range to make plays down the line, too. He is always in a leverage position and never gets uprooted. In the pass game, he has a violent club/rip move and a powerful bull rush. His effort is outstanding. Overall, it’s easy to identify Graham as a former wrestler. He always has a full gas tank and he set the tone for the entire Michigan defense.

My Thoughts:

• At the top of the draft, I fear projection. I do not like looking at a player and saying, “IF x happens, they’ll be good at the next level.” This is also why I undervalue Combine metrics and intensely value game tape. When I see Graham play, I see a professional defensive tackle. In a draft this weak, that’s enough for me.
• Graham is a perfect complement for the big-bodied run stuffing of Andrew Billings and explosive potential of Gervon Dexter. The age of the Lawrence Taylors is over. The great defensive lines need 6-8 formidable contributors. Graham is one of those.
• It would shock me if Graham reached pick number ten but a lot of that will depend, as always, on the quarterbacks. (I don’t think any of these quarterbacks should be taken in the first round, but we all know that at least 2-3 will.) Ever since the selections of Christian Ponder and EJ Manuel, two nonsensical prospects, I always believe there’s a quarterback selection shock on the horizon. With QB-needy teams littering the top ten, look out.

From Daniel Jeremiah at NFL.com:

Zabel is a versatile offensive lineman with excellent toughness and awareness. He lined up at left tackle in 2024, but he has played four O-line positions during his collegiate career. I believe he’s best suited to play guard at the next level. In pass pro, he has quick feet, stays square and catches/absorbs rushers. His lack of length shows up on the perimeter. He allows defenders to capture his chest, but he still possesses the core strength and balance to stall their push. He shows the savvy to snatch rushers when they get overextended. I love his ability to fit up and drive defenders in the run game. He has a great feel on combo blocks, and he always looks to finish. He has a nasty playing style, but he doesn’t get caught off-balance. He’s aced every test this offseason, from the Senior Bowl to the combine. Overall, I see Zabel as a Day 1 starter at guard.

My Thoughts:

• I was taught by knowledgeable football people that run blocking is an attitude and Zabel has that attitude in abundance. He is ready to be a day one starter, without question, at ANY of the three internal offensive line positions. But with his intelligence, a team should seriously consider grooming him as their long-term answer at center.
• Is he in play for the Bears? Not at the top of round one, of course, but potentially at the top of the second round. The Bears wouldn’t need Zabel to start in September; he’d provide depth and protection for a veteran unit, with a starting spot all but guaranteed at the start of 2026. Or, maybe they draft Zabel, he wows them all summer long, and Jonah Jackson slides into the swing IOL role. No team is going to regret drafting this kid.
• Texted a scout about Zabel and got this response: “Not as polished a prospect as some suggest. But our coaching staff loves tough guys and that’s what he is.”

(1) The overwhelming majority of folks I spoke to in the city were fundamentally opposed to the Bears leaving the city for Arlington Heights. (They were also resigned to that fate.) Fans on the south side, and those on the southern outskirts, told me it will take them two hours to get a game in Arlington.

(2) Younger fans are optimistic about the 2025 Bears. But older fans, say 60 and above, have very little interest in the team. Said an ex-cop to me, “They haven’t won since the Reagan administration. Why would they win now?”

(3)  Had coffee with someone deeply connected inside Halas Hall. They told me that while Ryan Poles is well liked inside the building, the sense is that Ben Johnson is the top dog now. The relationship they compared it to is Sean McVay and Les Snead in Los Angeles.

One of the reasons I share so many YouTubes is because I have been introduced to these players by watching these videos. Today and tomorrow, I am sharing two players mocked to the Bears by PFF in their seven-round mock draft.

I have been in Chicago this week for the Society of Cinema and Media Studies conference, but I’ll begin writing longer form pieces on the draft starting next week!

One of the reasons I share so many YouTubes is because I have been introduced to these players by watching these videos. Today and tomorrow, I am sharing two players mocked to the Bears by PFF in their seven-round mock draft.

Since Bucky Brooks mocked him to the Bears, we’re adding him to the highlight reel continuum.

Let’s survey the internet and see where the “experts” have the Bears turning with the tenth overall selection.

Carter Landis, at the magazine formerly known as Sports Illustrated:

10. Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

“The Bears made multiple improvements to the offensive line during free agency, but making another won’t hurt. Banks has the size and strength to play tackle or guard at the next level.”

Bucky Brooks, at NFL.com:

10. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, RB

“Ben Johnson’s immense success with a two-back rotation in Detroit could prompt Chicago to expend its top pick on a physical runner to partner with the dynamic D’Andre Swift.”

Chris Trapasso, at CBS Sports:

10. Mike Green, Marshall, Edge

“The Bears go with a high-upside outside speed rusher from Marshall in Green, who has the tools to develop into an All-Pro type. Learning from Montez Sweat will aid that process.”

Walter Football:

10. Kenneth Grant, Michigan, DT

“The Bears did a great job of addressing their offensive line. They still have some work to do in that regard, but they can now focus on their defensive front, which needs upgrades on the edge and in the interior. Grady Jarrett was signed, but he’s aging out of the NFL.

Kenneth Grant has flashed upside and is considered an underrated talent. Some of Charlie Campbell’s sources prefer Grant to Mason Graham.”

Read More …