I think Bears went big in free agency on OL and DL cuz it was a need (obviously), but also so Johnson had flexibility to go in any direction with early picks. I think he’ll address both lines at some point, just doesn’t have to reach now.
2025 NFL Draft Thread
- Status
I think the OL looks solid except for depth and the fact that 2 of the new signees are coming off significant injuries.
Tommy D took a hit yesterday when NYG drafted a top QB late in Rd 1. Hope he can stick but doesn't look good. I have enjoyed every minute he played for us and the Giants.
He should have called me. I tell all of my drinking friends to call me. I don't drink and my night vision is great.
This was a bad draft for OL prospects. Almost all these guys have red flags.
I like Emmanwori...
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Sanders 6 1", 212....seems kinda small for QB NFL....all teams took a pass on first round...Stephen A elevates yelling to an olympic event.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
While at the gym this morning, a debate show had the question “Why did Shedeur Sanders fall to the 2ns round?”
The answer “Because he isn’t a first round-caliber talent” seems like the succinct answer.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
It is getting dumber, one blogger Marcus Mosher is using Moneyball language like "poor allocation of resource" for such a take, lol.
He doesn’t have prototypical size, but I think he’s going to be a good QB. Browns have two of first four picks in second round, so I could see him being off the board quick. I could be wrong, but I think Browns signed Flacco as a place holder, so they could take their time with Sanders.
Agree on Stephen A. I can’t watch the dude.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Awesome he got to tell her! Thanks for posting this. Made my day.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
I do agree that Sanders is off the board no later than the 2nd Browns pick. While I don't think he's a first-round pick, I do think 2nd round seems reasonable. While he doesn't have great size, he does have the ability to process defenses really well. If you can process the game, I think you can at worst work around some physical limitations. I also think good improvement in throwing mechanics can allow a QB to maximize the arm strength he has, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Sanders grow in that area under NFL tutelage.
He's far from a sure bet, but I also don't think he's a lead-pipe bust.
I think the biggest knock against him is all the drama he’s going to bring along him
I really don't know what to make of Sanders' slide out of the 1st round. It really seems to be because of these non-football, culture considerations, about attitude and how entitled he is. And sure, I get that. But this is the same league that picked Jameis Winston #1 after a very, ahem, "eventful" time at FSU. It seems like an overreaction, honestly.
Day 2 is now underway.
With the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA.
With the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State.
With the 38th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State.
With the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri.
Here's the NFL.com draft analysis on Burden:
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Garrett Wilson
Overview
Former five-star recruit who offers five-star athleticism and playmaking ability. Burden is a natural on the field with above-average speed and exciting ball skills to win at a high rate. He takes snaps off and short-circuits routes if he’s not the primary option, but he can separate and succeed on all three levels when it’s his time. Missouri exploited Burden’s yards-after-catch talent with a barrage of short throws, but NFL teams are much more likely to diversify his usage, activating his complete skill set and big-play potential. The production against top teams was uneven at times but so was Missouri’s quarterback play. Burden checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career.
Strengths
Early acceleration to bypass defenders and top-end speed to stay ahead.
Eludes route redirection to maintain vertical momentum.
Natural playmaking skills and instincts.
Stacks, tracks and adjusts to deep balls like an outfielder.
Operates with sudden, well-timed hands.
Plucks throws cleanly and away from his frame.
Body control and ball skills to make the difficult look easy.
Multifaceted run-after-catch talent with dynamic results.
Eliminates pursuit angles with the ball in his hands.
Weaknesses
A little bit leggy in his short-area routes.
Can be inconsistent in finishing his routes.
Occasional drops when traffic is near him.
Needs to work back to prevent being contested.
75 percent of career catches were targeted inside of 10 yards, per Pro Football Focus.
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Garrett Wilson
Overview
Former five-star recruit who offers five-star athleticism and playmaking ability. Burden is a natural on the field with above-average speed and exciting ball skills to win at a high rate. He takes snaps off and short-circuits routes if he’s not the primary option, but he can separate and succeed on all three levels when it’s his time. Missouri exploited Burden’s yards-after-catch talent with a barrage of short throws, but NFL teams are much more likely to diversify his usage, activating his complete skill set and big-play potential. The production against top teams was uneven at times but so was Missouri’s quarterback play. Burden checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career.
Strengths
Early acceleration to bypass defenders and top-end speed to stay ahead.
Eludes route redirection to maintain vertical momentum.
Natural playmaking skills and instincts.
Stacks, tracks and adjusts to deep balls like an outfielder.
Operates with sudden, well-timed hands.
Plucks throws cleanly and away from his frame.
Body control and ball skills to make the difficult look easy.
Multifaceted run-after-catch talent with dynamic results.
Eliminates pursuit angles with the ball in his hands.
Weaknesses
A little bit leggy in his short-area routes.
Can be inconsistent in finishing his routes.
Occasional drops when traffic is near him.
Needs to work back to prevent being contested.
75 percent of career catches were targeted inside of 10 yards, per Pro Football Focus.
I read a great article at SI blasting the "suits" who hyped Sanders for the clicks, not because he was expected to be drafted in the 1st round. Hunter and Prime are why there was a draft party. The media now have something interesting to gee-gaw over because Snaders is "falling" to the draft position he was always going to go at, because he's only 6'1" and not uniquely fast or accurate.
I think his name brings hype, but the hype machine is staying in Boulder, it seems. That will probably be a huge benefit to Sanders.
Bears made a trade with the Bills. Teams are swapping 2nd round picks. Bears are also getting a 2 and a 4 from the Bills and are sending a 3rd and a 7th to Buffalo.
NFL Network brought up an interesting nugget involving the Saints in the draft. They have only drafted 3 QBs in the first 3 rounds in the common draft era, fewest of any team. They also have never drafted a QB that went on to start a playoff game for the franchise.
I like the WR pick but the Bears trade of their following pick was used for a DT (TJ Sanders) that looks pretty good.
- Status