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Notre Dame Football: How will 2020-21 help Ian Book’s draft stock?on April 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Ian Book, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book will play his senior season, instead of going into the 2020 NFL Draft. How will this help his draft stock?

Ian Book was the starting quarterback on an 11-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, which played in the Camping World Bowl game. Notre Dame only lost two games this past season, which kept them out of national championship contention. How well does Book have to play to be drafted in 2021?

Well, his draft stock is low right now. Maybe part of it was the whole Brandon Wimbush situation, where he didn’t start over him in 2017, and Wimbush came into 2018 as the starter. This looks a lot like the Tom Brady situation in Michigan.

Tom Brady was clearly the better quarterback in college, but Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr wanted to start Drew Henson over Brady. Brian Kelly started Wimbush over Book in 2017 and the beginning of 2018. Book stole the job from Wimbush and hasn’t looked back since.

What does that show NFL coaches? Book has the mental toughness that it takes to be a quarterback at the next level. That is the same thing that Brady showed while in college at Michigan.

Another thing that shows Book is his commitment to team football while putting the team first. Book came into his junior season in 2018 as the backup quarterback and stayed when he easily could have transferred. Instead, he was a good backup quarterback, who supported Wimbush until he had his chance to start.

As a starter, Book is 21-3. He’s thrown a total of 57 touchdowns to just 17 interceptions. He’s also rushed for eight touchdowns in his collegiate career.

The numbers don’t lie, Book is a winner. Book currently is projected to be a late-round draft choice, with the highest I’ve seen is the fourth round. His only problem is, Notre Dame quarterbacks haven’t translated well to the NFL.

The two Notre Dame quarterbacks that made a name for themselves in the NFL were Joe Theismann and Joe Montana. The most recent Notre Dame quarterback draft pick, DeShone Kizer, is backing up Baker Mayfield in Cleveland.

If Book has another solid season, where he takes the team to another bowl game victory, or heck, even a National Championship, there’s a chance he can be drafted higher. He is a project quarterback, that would fit well with a team that is willing to let Book sit for a year or two.

15 best quarterbacks in Fighting Irish history

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I could see him having a solid senior season, where he jumps up people’s draft boards and finds himself a team in the NFL that will work with him as a project. If plugged into the right situation, he could be a starter in the NFL someday. Keyword, “right situation.”

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Notre Dame Football: How will 2020-21 help Ian Book’s draft stock?on April 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm Read More »

3 players the Chicago Bears could trade during the 2020 NFL Drafton April 23, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

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As the 2020 NFL Draft gets set to kick-off, here are a few Chicago Bears who could find themselves on the move.

The Chicago Bears have their work cut out for them in the 2020 NFL Draft, which is just hours away from kicking-off live from general manager’s homes across the country. While all of the focus is on the players who will be coming into the organization via the draft, are there some players who could find themselves on their way out over the next three days?

First, let’s examine why general manager Ryan Pace could decide to deal any current players. Well, we know the Bears are significantly lacking draft capital, particularly in the middle rounds. They currently have no third or fourth-round picks, which is a problem in a deep draft at multiple positions where quality starters can be obtained in these rounds. They also have a number of holes to fill, to include depth at multiple positions, and right now, they don’t have the ammunition with which to do it.

Alternatively, Pace could strike a deal for a position of need like tight end for example. Perhaps he has his eyes on OJ Howard but doesn’t have the picks necessary to make a deal. In that case, a player could sweeten the pot.

On the flip side of this coin, is Ryan Pace’s penchant for trading up in the draft. Throughout his time as GM, he’s aggressively pursued multiple players by trading up in the draft. While one would hope he would not do that with so few picks, you cannot dismiss the possibility.

Consequently, one or more players could be used to trade up in this year’s draft to avoid having to mortgage even more future year’s picks. So who could those players be? I’m glad you asked.

Next: No. 3

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Chicago Bears NFL Draft: 3 SEC game-breakers to targeton April 23, 2020 at 2:00 pm

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 07: A detail as the LSU Tigers celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 37-10 to win the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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The Chicago Bears have a big draft this year despite not having a first-round pick. There are some outstanding SEC players to target to help them grow.

The Chicago Bears have some work to do. They missed the playoffs in 2019 after taking a step back from their awesome 2018 year. The draft has been very hit or misses for them in the Ryan Pace era as their first and second-round picks have largely failed but there have been some sweet gems in the later rounds. This year they don’t have a first-round pick but they have two in the second round.

The Southeastern Conference is loaded with football talent each and every season. They are the best football conference in college football whether people want to admit it or not. They have powerhouses like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia but teams like Auburn and Florida are climbing the ranks as well. There is plenty of great talent out there that will be in the NFL in short order.

The two most impactful players from the SEC in a lot of people’s minds are the two quarterbacks of the two best teams. Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama and Joe Burrow of LSU are going to both be selected in the top five with a chance to star in the NFL. There is also Jedrick Wills Jr., a wide receiver, who went to Alabama that should go in the top-five. There could be as many as seven players from the SEC taken in the top-ten.

Unfortunately, the Chicago Bears won’t have the chance to select any of those guys. They don’t have their first pick as they gave it to the Oakland Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade. They do, however, have two second-rounders that can be used on some studs from the SEC. These are three studs from that conference that the Bears might have a chance at:

Next: Grant Delpit

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Chicago Bears NFL Draft: 3 SEC game-breakers to targeton April 23, 2020 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Three things to watch in first round with no pickon April 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm

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The Chicago Bears do not have a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things to watch out for as fans.

The Chicago Bears will not be making a selection in the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round. At least they are not slated to currently because they gave that pick away to the Oakland Raiders in a trade that got them, Khalil Mack. This is a big draft, however, because it is still a year that the Bears need to use the draft to add talent to help their football team.

They see themselves as an organization that is a piece or two away from making a deep playoff run. Obviously, it will come down to their quarterbacks but they still need to tighten up some screws at other positions. It is also going to be a draft where they are some impactful players taken all over the place. We might see two very good quarterbacks go in the top five which could change the landscape of the league if they become special NFL players.

Despite not being involved directly in the first round, every selection could end up impacting all 32 teams in different ways. In 2017, the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers probably didn’t think that the Kansas City Chiefs selecting a quarterback from Texas Tech University would impact them that much but here we are.

There are plenty of things for fans of the Bears to watch for, despite not seeing the blue and orange represented on television at any point. These are the three biggest reasons for Chicago Bears fans to watch and pay attention to the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft:

Next: Once In A Lifetime Format

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Chicago Bears: Three things to watch in first round with no pickon April 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Adding an intriguing quarterbackon April 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 24: Shaquille Quarterman #55 and Joe Jackson #99 of the Miami Hurricanes sacks Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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With the 2020 NFL Draft set to begin tonight, it’s time for one last Chicago Bears mock draft.

With the 2020 NFL Draft set to begin tonight, it’s time for one final Chicago Bears mock draft. In what could potentially be general manager Ryan Pace’s last NFL Draft with the Bears, he needs to capitalize and ensure that the Bears come out winners.

As of right now, the Bears are scheduled to have two second-round picks. However, this could change if the team decides to trade up or down. Regardless, what the Bears need to do is capitalize on both second-round picks because they’ll have a chance to land two impact players.

As of right now, the Bears major needs are: Safety and tight end. Besides just safety and tight end, other needs include outside linebacker, inside linebacker, running back, and quarterback. While most would argue that quarterback is a need, the Bears invested a fourth-round pick at the position by trading for Nick Foles.

Before we go any further, there are a few things to know about this mock draft. First, this mock draft is based on two things: Needs or best player available. Second, trades were made in case the Bears decide to acquire more draft capital. And third, depth at certain positions were addressed as well, even if the Bears made moves earlier in the offseason. While the Bears don’t pick until Friday night, let’s get into one final 2020 NFL Mock Draft for 2020.

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Chicago Bears Draft Rumors: Team wants these two players badlyon April 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

With the 2020 NFL Draft less than 24 hours away, the latest rumors have the team very interested in two particular players.

As the Chicago Bears approach the 2020 NFL Draft, no one is really sure what they will do. After all, general manager Ryan Pace rarely gives out any true indication of his plan.

All of the smoke leading up to the actual draft ends up being, well, smoke, most of the time. No one saw Pace trading up just one spot to get Mitchell Trubisky three years ago. The Anthony Miller trade caught fans by surprise after we all thought the Bears were done in the second round after drafting James Daniels back in 2018.

Then, Pace traded up to draft running back David Montgomery last spring. The man is always around to surprise some people, and this year is no different.

While many believe the Bears should not draft a quarterback due to having traded a fourth-round pick for Nick Foles, it certainly shouldn’t shock anyone if Pace does so. Mitchell Trubisky could be on his last year in Chicago, leaving the door wide open for another quarterback going into the 2021 season.

Should Pace target a quarterback early? That is highly unlikely. But, with one of the later picks? Sure, what’s the risk, really?

Colorado’s Steven Montez is a late-round prospect and, according to ABC7’s Nate Ryan out of El Paso, TX he is on the Bears’ radar as of late. In fact, the Bears are one of the top four teams with the most interest in Montez.

Colorado QB and El Paso native Steven Montez tells ABC-7 that NFL teams showing the most interest are the Bears, Jaguars, Packers, and Titans.

Mocks have the @CUBuffsFootball all-time leader in passing yards going anywhere from the 4th-7th rounds in this week’s NFL Draft.

— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) April 20, 2020

Montez comes to the league with a lot to prove as a developmental prospect. He’s 6-foot-5 and has fantastic size, and a little mobility, too. But, he’s never thrown more than 19 touchdowns in a collegiate season and has a ways to go in terms of his decision-making.

Another area the Bears will surely look to improve is in their secondary. This could (and should) be done much earlier than the later rounds. Now, we would all like to think Pace does a little dealing and acquires additional picks by trading back in the second with one of those picks. If he stays put at no. 43, he could have an instant Day 1 starter.

Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle has reported that a “high-ranking executive” of the Bears wants Alabama’s Trevon Diggs.

The 6-foot-1 do-it-all corner is projected as either a first or second-round pick at the moment, with guys like A.J. Terrell, Jaylon Johnson and Jeff Gladney near his average ranking as well.

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Chicago Bears Draft Rumors: Team wants these two players badlyon April 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace’s last standon April 23, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

I would make a reference to the well-received Chicago Bulls documentary “The Last Dance”. However, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace will have at least some say in whether or not the 2020-2021 NFL season will be his last.

The man in charge of the Chicago Bears finds himself in a bit of a sticky wicket of sorts.

Pace does a fantastic job of saying things and then either following through on them or just blatantly lying similarly to everyone else. Be it draft or free agent smokescreen, he is no different from all the other ballclubs. The difference is the general decision-making, which is quite the wormhole to enter.

It’s become hard to take anything he has said with anything more than a grain of salt because no one knows where his head is at this time of the year; the guy is either following the GM manual or is so far inside his own head that he is terrified of other teams making moves or taking “his guys” before he does.

Since overseeing Chicago’s rebuild since the winter of 2015, Pace has put out something of a mixed bag when you view his resume. We’ve either seen him smoke his fair share of doubles, triples, or dingers. Conversely, we’ve watched him flail miserably on trash 0-2 breaking balls.

His place in Chicago Bears’ organizational lore can end in many different ways. Should it soon end in an abrupt exit stage left, everyone shoveling dirt on to his grave will point to Kevin White, Leonard Floyd, and Mitchell Trubisky as reasons why and how he had failed to evaluate several top-end talents.

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Virtual #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/YyUiOBGVLR

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 22, 2020

But for every miss, you need to point out his hits. While misfiring on first-rounders is extremely bad, he has at least had his share of draft hits (Eddie Goldman, Cody Whitehair, Anthony Miller, Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, Bilal Nichols, etc.) and undrafted hits (Bryce Callahan, Roy Robertson-Harris, Kevin Toliver). Similar principles apply to free agency when it comes to his good and bad signings, regardless if he was able to maneuver out of bad ones via contractual language.

So what exactly happens after this weekend?

Well, only he decides his own fate.

The Bears are in win-now mode and that means that Pace needs to bring in guys who will help the team win tomorrow. Bringing in players who are ready to be a part of a Super Bowl contending team should be the absolute top priority. Whether that means that Pace opts to keep both second-rounders, drafting “safer” players, or trading out of one of those picks to get more potential starters, no stone can be left unturned.

Next: Chicago Bears: Trubisky ready to go?

Even if he moves out of both the 43rd and 50th picks, I wouldn’t be shocked. Between the Bear’s second and third picks, there is a gap that spans over 100 selections. For a team that is trying to win a Super Bowl now, that simply won’t do. They need to add more top-end talents and stockpile more depth. The more swings at the bat, the better.

Ryan Pace finds himself in something of a similar stance as General Custer; two men on their last legs.

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Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace’s last standon April 23, 2020 at 5:30 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears Rumors: Marquise Goodwin trade possible?on April 23, 2020 at 10:38 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

A recent report has Marquise Goodwin being dealt very shortly. Could the Chicago Bears swoop in and land their next wideout?

With the 2020 NFL Draft kicking off, the Chicago Bears are prepared to enter the weekend with just two picks in the first four rounds. General manager Ryan Pace has a few holes to fill, so making a deal or two might be necessary.

Many believe Pace will use one of his second-round picks to move back, maybe even twice, to acquire additional picks. The Bears could end up with additional picks in the third and fourth rounds, if they play their cards right.

One position the Bears have to add an immediate impact player at is wide receiver. Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller are slotted to start, outside and in the slot, respectively.

But, the Bears let go of speedster Taylor Gabriel to start the offseason and need some additional firepower. Ideally, the Bears end up with a guy who can stretch the field.

Enter: Marquise Goodwin of the San Francisco 49ers.

General manager John Lynch told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that the 49ers are trying to find a new home for Goodwin, and quickly, as the draft festivities begin.

Goodwin is exactly the kind of player the Bears could use, and on a cheap deal, too. He has a cap hit of $4.9 million this year, yet he might be able to beat just about every player in the NFL in a foot race — maybe outside of Tyreek Hill.

In 2017, Goodwin caught 56 passes for 962 yards, putting up his best season as a pro. Since then, he has struggled a bit with injuries. But, he is supposedly healthy and ready to go for the 2020 campaign now.

With Goodwin’s dip in production and health concerns, I could see the Bears picking him up for no more than a sixth rounder. While some folks might want to see Pace spend earlier on a receiver, this would be an intriguing possibility.

The Bears would have their receiving room solidified, thus being able to draft at positions like offensive line, cornerback, safety, tight end, etc.

If you’re telling me that Pace could end up with players like Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second, an interior offensive lineman in the third round and then a tight end like Brycen Hopkins, for example, in the fourth, all while adding a speedy, veteran wide receiver — I’ll take that 100 times out of 100.

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Depth at other positions is much more crucial than wideout. The Bears must come away with at least one offensive lineman, a corner and a safety — and hopefully a tight end. Adding Goodwin for a late pick would allow Pace a little breathing room this weekend.

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Chicago Bears Rumors: Marquise Goodwin trade possible?on April 23, 2020 at 10:38 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears Draft: Trading up for Jonathan Taylor would boost offenseon April 24, 2020 at 12:22 am

Jonathan Taylor, Chicago Bears. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

With the first round of the NFL draft starting tonight, the Chicago Bears have some holes they need to fill. Here’s one that Jonathan Taylor can fill.

The Chicago Bears need one more running back in my opinion during the 2020 NFL Draft. A player I’ve fallen in love with on the field is Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has the body of David Montgomery but the power of Jordan Howard.

Unlike Howard, Taylor can catch the ball on the outside. He is a power back who can also play a big factor in either Mitch Trubisky or Nick Foles‘ passing game. Look, Tarik Cohen is a specialty player, not a number one or even number two running back. He needs to be used for screens, wheel routes, swings, and trick plays.

Taylor is a player who can do it all. When he is on the field, teams aren’t going to assume the Bears are just running the football. He will bring a factor to the offense that Matt Nagy needs to use. He can bounce broken plays to the outside. Most importantly, he takes the pressure off of either Trubisky or Foles.

Trubisky played well in 2018, mostly because he had Howard to take some pressure off of his throwing game. The only problem was, Howard was used just to run the ball. When Howard was on the field, defenses knew he was there to run.

Rumors of the Bears trading up to later in the first round seem more real than it did a few weeks ago. If Taylor is on the board around the 29th or 30th pick, trading up wouldn’t be the worst idea. U personally believe they should trade up tomorrow in the second round if they’re going to. Only if Taylor is on the board.

The fans want the Bears to pick another quarterback, I believe they should wait one more season. Give Trubisky a chance to win the job from Foles. If Trubisky cannot win the job, Foles can help the team win games, especially with Taylor running the ball.

So, Ryan Pace, don’t waste too many draft picks if you’re trading up. The Bears still need help on the offensive line. Trubisky or Foles cannot be running away from multiple defenders each play, while the linemen watch.

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I just know, whoever drafts Taylor has a solid running back for the next seven to 10 seasons, depending on his health.

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Chicago Bears Draft: Trading up for Jonathan Taylor would boost offenseon April 24, 2020 at 12:22 am Read More »

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book will play his senior season, instead of going into the 2020 NFL Draft. How will this help his draft stock?

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