It is called Letterboxd, and I was unaware of it until very recently. Letterboxd is a website/app that enables individuals to catalogue all the films they have seen and review each. And as movie critic bylines are disappearing in newspapers around the country, and reliable sources for movie opinions with them, Letterboxd is actually starting to assert some influence in the industry. Without these critics, and reliable box office reports, studios are looking to Letterboxd to crowdsource film response.

But Letterboxd is truly a product of the social media era, a period that has intellectually enriched the intellectually impoverished. All you need is a viable email address and suddenly you have the right to dispute Adam Jahns’ reporting on Twitter, criticize Steve Martin’s banjo playing on Facebook and take umbrage with Paige Spiranac’s commercial viability on Instagram. You’ve never had a source in the NFL. You’ve never owned a banjo. You’re broke. But these platforms provide you equitable status, even though that status is entirely unearned. If HacksawRidgeFan232 wants to criticize Rear Window on Letterboxd, who’s to stop him?

A very similar thing is happening with regards to the NFL Draft.

Yes, there are some very talented evaluators working out there in the Draft Industrial Complex. Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” is a marvel of craftmanship and a testament to Brugler’s passion and diligence. Robert K. Schmitz isn’t working for a major outlet, but it’s only a matter of time. He’s sort of the anti-Beast, establishing with short Twitter videos a pointedly economic methodology for presenting prospects. And Lance Zierlein is a personal favorite. He’s created what essentially serves as a Draftopedia Brittanica, a resource at NFL.com that I wear out in the month of April.

When it comes to evaluations, these individuals do yeoman’s work. But when it comes to the establishment of draft value, their opinions don’t really hold water.

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There is no question that Ryan Poles prefers not to make a selection at nine. But operating under the assumption he’ll have no other choice, here is a survey of who folks out there believe he’ll take.

• Peter Schrager at NFL.com: Christian Gonzalez. “This strong, smart, speedy corner out of Oregon (via Colorado) is a gamer. The Bears have so many needs, and snagging a top cover man with the ninth overall choice makes them better tomorrow.”
• Charles McDonald, Yahoo: Peter Skoronski.
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Peter Skoronski. “I’ve gone back and forth on which offensive lineman the Bears will take here, but Skoronski is the best on my board (No. 8 overall), even though I like him a little more as a guard…Chicago needs a right tackle, which is why I projected Darnell Wright here in my two-round mock. I’d be confident in Skoronski’s ability to learn the position.”
• Ryan Wilson, CBS: Paris Johnson Jr. “… since this draft class is deeper at EDGE than OT, Chicago takes Paris Johnson Jr. here. He played LT last season at Ohio State and was the RG during the ’21 season. Protecting Justin Fields is Priority No. 1, and they can circle back at pick No. 53 (or even 61) to get that pass rusher.”
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: Paris Johnson Jr.
• Arjun Menon and Brad Spielberger, PFF: Paris Johnson Jr. “Unless Jalen Carter is still on the board, the Bears should pivot back to offense with their first pick and reunite Fields with tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who allowed a 4.4% pressure rate on true pass sets in 2022, good for 20th in the FBS despite it being his first year starting at left tackle. Johnson played right tackle in 2021, which is where Chicago has its biggest hole along the offensive line. The Bears also deploy the popularized outside-zone-based rushing attack, and Johnson’s 85.5 run-blocking grade on outside-zone runs in 2022 ranked sixth among FBS tackles.”
• WalterFootball: Darnell Wright. “Darnell Wright didn’t allow a single sack to Hendon Hooker last year.” (Side note: Don’t click that link unless you want to ruin your phone/computer. WalterFootball is the reason I’ll never let ads overwhelm this site. What’s the point? He’s rendered his site unnavigable for a few bucks.)
• Justin Melo, Draft Network: TRADE! Darnell Wright (at 17 overall).
• Ryan McCrystal, Sharp Football Analysis: Broderick Jones.
• Unattributed, Tankathon: Paris Johnson Jr.
• Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Jalen Carter. “Carter’s slight fall stops at no. 9, giving the Bears a high-upside building block for their interior defensive line. The former Georgia star brings three-down potential as a pocket-collapsing pass rusher and difference-making run defender.”
• Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News (which I was thrilled to find out still exists): Peter Skoronski. “Skoronski, who had a great Combine from his running through his smooth positional drills, can deliver as their immediate starting left tackle with his smooth quickness and athleticism on the edge.”
• Seth Trachtman, YardBarker: Paris Johnson Jr.

So, it seems there is a general consensus around the world of the Draft Industrial Complex that the Bears are going to find a starter for their offensive line with this pick.  I agree. The Bears showed us the team they want to be on offense in 2022. They want to maul opponents with their rushing attack and utilizing the passing game off that run. But when the run game wasn’t dominant, the passing game was nonexistent. That’s because they couldn’t protect their quarterback on obvious passing downs.

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From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

Overview

Ascending cornerback combining traits and above average play strength that create a clear definition of who he is as a player. He can reroute the release and has the frame to close catch windows against big receivers in press-man or Cover 2 looks. Delayed transitions and sluggish change of direction put him in conflict in off coverages, so teams must pay attention to matchups and scheme in order to avoid a field full of yellow laundry. There is work to be done to improve tackle consistency in the run game, but he finishes tackles after a catch. Porter has scheme limitations, but he also has CB1 potential with more work and if utilized properly.

Strengths

• Father is a former Pro Bowler and was an undisputed alpha during his playing career.
• The most physical reroutes in this year’s draft.
• Smart hand usage helps cover when feet are late.
• Recovery and length to swat away would-be catches underneath.
• Closes the catch space when he’s in position.
• Can win high-point challenges even from trail position.
• Matchup potential against pass-catching tight ends.
• Spins sticky tackle web when he gets his hands on receivers.

Weaknesses

• Noticeable delay in transitions from press.
• Struggles to slide and match release quickness.
• Not twitchy enough to match a complex route.
• Too grabby at the top of the route.
• Needs extra steps to plant and drive from top of his drop.
• Lacking change-of-direction quickness as open-field tackler.

Sources Tell Us

“He can’t change direction well but he’s strong and physical, so you put him in press and let him play in the receiver’s pocket all game.” — Area scout for AFC team

Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adeboware is as boom or bust a prospect as I’ve seen in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The good snaps (especially vs Ohio State) are SO good. The bad snaps are rough. Where should the #Bears (or anyone else) expect to draft him? Turn your on and I’ll explain: pic.twitter.com/T6LE9MEcbx

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 10, 2023

From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

Overview

Adebawore seems like a positional tweener, checking in a little short for the edge and a little light for the interior. However, he was able to handle himself at the point of attack at the Senior Bowl and is just a few hearty meals away from checking in at a weight that could pass for an even front three-technique. He’s a powerful man who wins with force over fluidity. He will need better play recognition in the future, but his explosive first contact and ability to play under his opponent’s pads could earn him a spot as a base end with sub-package rush ability or simply as a rotational interior defender.

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(1) For the life of me, I don’t understand the Anthony Richardson thing. Yes, he’s a superior athlete. But shouldn’t NFL teams at least require he LOOK the part of a professional quarterback in college? As I have been watching clips of various SEC defenders, I’m constantly seeing Richardson make the wrong read, throw the ball inaccurately, etc. Is he a draftable prospect? Of course. But it’ll be quite surprising if he’s relevant in the NFL in the next 2-3 years.

(2) The Bears should seriously consider taking Peter Skoronski if they stay at the ninth pick. Skoronski is not going to be a tackle in the NFL; he’s going to be a guard. And from what I’m told by folks who know way more than me, he can be a potentially top-level guard, a la Zack Martin. No one can convince me this current regime has any faith in the long-term viability of Teven Jenkins on this roster. Skoronski, pairing with Nate Davis, would give the Bears a pair of maulers on the inside, and the pick would give the Bears options with Jenkins.

(3) This is a complementary draft, not a star draft. Are Tyree Wilson and Will Anderson at the same level of a Myles Garrett? No. Are JSN or Jordan Addison a Justin Jefferson? No. I think all of the aforementioned players are going to be very good at the next level but so are Joey Porter Jr. and Adetomiwa Adebawore. (Looks at these two prospects coming tomorrow and Wednesday.) This is the year where you move back every chance you get because the guys being taken at 25 are not far off talent-wise from the guys being taken at 11. Ryan Poles knows this.

The #Bears “Critical Factors” for WR scream Jayden Reed (Michigan State WR) if they take a WR late:

– Great footwork
– Arsenal of releases at the line
– Contested catch ability that defies his size

Can play outside & inside, versatile. Tough blocker. I love this guy. on! pic.twitter.com/weVyfU6zu3

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 12, 2023

All options (pick at nine, trade back) and all positions are on the table for Ryan Poles in a few weeks. Schmitz has been an invaluable Twitter resource for looking at how this crop of prospects fit the Bears.

Robinson is not only one of my favorite players in this draft. I think he is the best player in the draft, and two people I know in the league agree with that assessment. And I think he’s going to make an immediate, star-level impact for the team that drafts him.

From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com: 

Overview

Full-menu back blending a smorgasbord of position-specific traits that allow him to affect games. Robinson is well-built with a compact lower half and pairs a low center of gravity with agile feet. There are elements of both fight and flight in his running style, but defenders can never be quite sure what they are going to get. He’s a capable inside/outside runner with unique footwork to stack moves and reset pathways, but can plow into tacklers at a moment’s notice using elite contact balance to keep the run rolling. He might need to dial back efforts to search out big runs so frequently and take what is there a little more often to keep from getting bogged down. His pass-catching talent ensures the opportunity for Robinson to see a high number of touches. He has a chance to become one of the more productive runners in the league very quickly.

Strengths

• Three-down back with exceptional talent in all phases.
• Owns a variety of footwork tools to alter pace, direction and power.
• Feet are fast and fully connected with his vision for optimal results.
• Resets run track with sudden jump-cuts against penetration.
• Runs low to the ground and possesses rare contact balance.
• Ability to stack moves adds a level of unpredictability to his carries.
• Pinballs off of angle strikes and can rip through leg tackles.
• Pairs instant burst with solid top-end speed.
• Finishes runs with authority.
• Soft hands and a nightmare to deal with on wheel routes.

And I’m not including Zierlein’s weaknesses, because I don’t agree with them. Kid is going to be a star.

Calijah Kancey’s foot frequency is insane — watch here as he takes 4 steps before either of the EDGEs have completed 2. This lets him skate across the A gap and win the B.

He does a great job of denying clean contact against him. Exactly what you want to see from a shorter guy. pic.twitter.com/VywuFhYTGZ

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 6, 2023

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