Chicago and the #4 pick
National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
February 3, 2005
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Jack Lucas
Sent: Thursday, February 3, 2005 1:01 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: Feedback on the Bears...
I'm a lifelong Bears fan and have this feedback for you:
Bears seek playmaker - While the Bears biggest obvious offensive need is at wide receiver, with the #4 overall pick in the draft Bears GM Jerry Angelo has stated that the Bears foremost need is "a playmaker on offense". Mike Williams hasn't played in a year and his 40 times were disappointing back then, so there's no reason to believe they've improved now.
The Bears got burned on former Michigan alum's Anthony Thomas and David Terrell and are therefore unlikely to roll the dice on yet another Michigan alum in Braylon Edwards. That leaves the three premier running backs as the potential playmaker Angelo seeks. In addition, the Bears have publicly stated that they are going to let Thomas walk via free agency which leaves current feature (and historically fragile), Thomas Jones without a bonefide backup in a new o-coordinator Turner offense that features the running game.
My prediction is that the Bears won't go WR, but will take either Cedric Benson or Rogers from Auburn with the #4 overall pick in the draft. Many draftniks have Benson penciled in for Miami at #2, but Saban has publicly stated that he wants to trade out of that slot and anyone trading up into that slot is likely to go either corner or qb, leaving the Bears their choice of running backs.
Furthermore, both Henry of Buffalo and free agent to be Edgrin James of Indianapolis have publicly stated their desire to play for Miami and Saban is still courting Rickey Williams to put down his hooka and resume playing football as well.
Bottom line? Bears first pick at #4 will be either Benson or Rogers.
Lou: We'll see soon enough at the combine if Mike Williams has lost anything in his year in limbo. I think he'll show that, if anything, he's actually improved in his time off. Williams is not a burner, but that's never been his game. When you're 6'5" 230, have a 37" vertical and can make great catches, you don't have to run a 4.3 40. I think he goes to the Bears if he's on the board.
But let's say that for whatever reason Chicago doesn't want him. Would the Bears really pass on Braylon Edwards just because he's from Michigan? If so, that's a terrible reason to do so. Don't hold Edwards accountable for what happened in the past with David Terrell. As for Anthony Thomas, he was good as a rookie and only later on slipped up in his production, so I wouldn't call him a total bust (i.e. Ki-Jana Carter with Cincinnati).
Chicago has made it clear that Thomas Jones is their man at RB. You can get quality RBs later in the draft; even a fourth rounder can provide nice depth, not to mention a veteran who can come in as a free agent. If you're drafting at #4, you don't want a guy who will either be a backup or force one of those awkward RB platoon situations. That would be a bad idea, even though I think Cadillac Williams is going to be a superb pro.
As for Carlos Rogers going #4, that seems extraordinarily high. I know I'm the same guy who currently has Adam "Pac-Man" Jones going #6, so it is possible that another CB besides Antrel Rolle will go in the top 10, but if the Bears pass on both Mike Williams AND Braylon Edwards to take Rogers, that would be a shocker.
As for Miami, I addressed this briefly at the top of my current mock draft (as of this writing), but it seems likely that the Dolphins will trade Patrick Surtain and obtain at least a second rounder for him. They can then deal that pick to Buffalo for Travis Henry (assuming that they miss out on Edgerrin James, who I think the Colts will franchise tag, and Shaun Alexander, a free agent to-be in Seattle) and take Antrel Rolle at #2. Miami could trade down from #2, but I don't see there being demand for that spot to warrant the picks/players that would be required to move up there. It takes two to trade. As for Ricky Williams, I consider him a non-factor and don't expect him to play another snap of NFL football again.
