Ian Cunningham said the Chicago Bears have 6-8 players listed as blue-chip types that they’d be comfortable taking 9th overall on Thursday night. While true, it doesn’t change the fact they likely have those names in a particular order of preference. GM Ryan Poles isn’t stupid. He probably has a good understanding of how the board will fall through the first eight picks. Sure, there may be a surprise tucked in there somewhere, but it’s not crazy to think he knows which players will be available to him when the Bears are on the clock.
What he won’t reveal is which order he has those players stacked. We found out last year through behind-the-scenes footage that Poles was zeroed in on Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker in the 2nd round even before the clock started ticking. It appears other teams around the league have their own intel on how the Bears see things. Three names sit atop their list in a specific order.
This lines up with the latest rumors that have surrounded the team. Carter is considered one of the best talents in the entire draft and a perfect fit for Chicago’s defense. Johnson is probably the best all-around left tackle prospect. As for Skoronski, most consider him the safest option of any player. If he doesn’t work out at tackle, he likely has a bright career ahead of him at guard.
It’s hard to argue with this Chicago Bears list.
There are no surprises involved. No Leonard Floyd-Mitch Trubisky-Shea McClellin swerves. All three players have a valid justification for being considered. Carter has off-the-field issues. These are well-documented. It’s a concern. At the same time, he has Hall of Fame-caliber talent. Players like him are worth the risk. Johnson is only 21. He’s only getting better and yet is already 6’7 with 36-inch arms and outstanding character. As for Skoronski, he is a master technician that can probably play any of the five offensive line spots and have success.
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If that is truly how the Chicago Bears have it ranked, then Poles deserves a nod of approval. All three have a chance to be very good in the NFL. Even great. Other GMs would’ve gotten cute with their picks. It’s become a plague on the organization for the past 30 years. Nobody can argue with one of those three being a reach. What remains unknown is how many of them will be available at #9. Carter and Johnson have the likeliest chances of going earlier. If that proves true, then Skoronski appears to be the fallback option.
It should be a fun night.
