1.14: Jackson Powers Johnson, Center – Oregon

The Pro Football Focus (PFF) mock draft simulator felt this next pick was a reach. Two draft picks netted me a C- grade and one F. The rest of the draft picks were B- and above. Ryan Poles returns to the trenches and fixes the most glaring issue on the roster. The big athletic center from Oregon is a Darnell Wright draft selection with the #14 overall selection.

What I mean by that is, do a mock draft in late January, select Darnell Wright with the #10 overall selection, and watch the simulator not like that pick. Everybody knew tackle was a need for the Chicago Bears, and Ryan Poles attacked that position. Poles would do it again here with Jackson Powers Johnson. Would JPJ be available later in the draft? Maybe, but Poles didn’t risk it with Wright; he wouldn’t do the same with his center of the future.

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs believe in smart, great play from their centers. The Chicago Bears thought they might have had that from Lucas Patrick, but he wasn’t the answer. Poles has a chance to have a guy who could thrive from day one and become one of those names if he stays healthy. JPJ dominated everybody he faced. He will likely do this at the senior bowl and impress more than the Chicago Bears staff. If the quarterback is the most important player on the field, the guy directly in front of him is very important.

2nd Round: Michael Pe(BO)nix, QB – Washington

I wanted the Chicago Bears to draft a quarterback in the first round. Not to replace Fields but to compete with him and see what it would look like in training camp with someone who plays completely differently and who isn’t Tyson Bagent (no offense). I was torn between my favorite guy on the board at this time and the second-best guy on the board. As much as I wanted to draft Bo Nix (I technically did), I thought about Ryan Poles’ critical factors list for the quarterback position:

• accuracy
• decision making
• arm strength

One of those two has all three of those traits maxed out: Michael Penix Jr. The injuries and age are concerning, but Pennx Jr is the best pure passer in this draft class. There wasn’t a thing about running ability that supported Justin Fields, whom Poles didn’t draft. There also isn’t anything on the ability to extend plays like Caleb Williams. The argument should be over Drake Maye if Twitter (X) wants to get all weird about this draft.

Penix Jr is an older, beat-up version of Drake Maye. I truly believe if the Chicago Bears want their quarterback, it might be Maye. If they elect to roll with the draft picks and fix the broken team, they can grab the left-handed version of Maye later in the draft. Also, imagine having Darnell Wright, known as one of the better pass blockers in the draft last season, now become the blind side protector and Braxton Jones, who excels with run blocking, on the side of the quarterback that teams tend to run.

2nd Round – Kris Jenkins, DL – Michigan

Some of you might be sticking around, but I might lose you here. I can’t lie; I must do more digging between prospects 45 and 75. I know who they are, but the value is still being determined. I have Ryan Poles grabbing Kris Jenkins from Michigan. Poles loves athletic gods, and Jenkins continues that same trait. Jenkins would be a cross between the two tackles drafted in Gervon Dexter Sr and Zacch Pickens last season. Imagine a defensive tackle-sized man who can rush from the outside to defend the run and move inside to push the pocket.

Jenkins is more of a luxury pick, but you can never have enough defensive linemen. Demarcus Walker was supposed to be able to rush inside and outside, but he no longer has to do that with all of the defensive tackles on the roster. Justin Jones is nice, but Dexter Sr should eventually have his role and would need a rotational guy. The Bears don’t believe Pickens is that player, so here is the guy to get the job done.

There were a few receivers on the board that the Bears could come away with. This draft pick could make or break this specific mock draft. Johnny Wilson is one of my favorite guys who could have gone in this spot, along with Xavier Legette, but I had another idea for a receiver in the future that might interest some later in this mock draft.

3rd Round – Jaylen Wright, RB – Tennessee

Telling me that the Chicago Bears are good at running the ball without including Justin Fields is silly. “The Bears could draft Caleb Williams because they have a good run game” is bull crap. The Chicago Bears running game is awful without Justin Fields. I wanted Herbert to become the man, but he is just a guy. Maybe if the Bears move Velus Jones to running back, they might have something. Johnson is okay, but let’s be real. None of these backs are young versions of David Montgomery, Jordan Howard, or Tarik Cohen. Those were good Bear running backs.

Jaylen Wright from Tennessee might be the change of pace needed for Johnson and Herbert next season. Wright can make people miss in a phone booth and hit the corners faster than anybody on the Bears roster. After the NFL Combine sprint, he will probably be drafted before the #75th overall selection, but for now, he was available and is a clear upgrade to the running back room.

I like other running backs, but this would be a great fit for the outside zone scheme. Poles can spend less time looking at this kid or anyone from Tennessee. He knows that entire roster inside out from visiting there so much. Every GM has their favorite schools. The University of Tennessee might be the one for Ryan Poles.

4th Round – Jaden Hicks, S – Washington State

Eddie Jackson might be a cap casualty for the Chicago Bears, but Ryan Poles doesn’t have to move off him if he doesn’t want to. The Chicago Bears cap situation is fine right now. Addin in Jaden Hicks continues the theme of shutting down the run. Hicks lists at 6’3″ 205 pounds. Brisker is the team’s strong safety, but he can play all over the field. Eberflus has stressed how he wants versatility among his defensive backs.

Hicks played deep most of his early career before playing mostly in the box last season. Hicks doesn’t have that crazy speed that Eddie Jackson used to have, but he has more than enough length. Hicks has a lot of run stops and was asked to spy on quarterbacks a lot.

A defensive back group of willing, aggressive tacklers like Kyler Gordan, Jaquan Brisker, and Hicks, along with run-stoppers in the front line, could finally get teams to become one-dimensional. It would also be nice to have a free safety who isn’t just willing to tackle but enjoys doing it.

I wouldn’t assume Ryan Poles will stay put on most of his draft picks. I am sure he will move back and move ahead when needed based on his past draft classes. I need to see who the Bears are keying in on before I get aggressive and move up for players. The divisional rivals came knocking with a trade purpose, so I took it. The Vikings wanted #122 and offered #129 and #148 for the Bears lower fifth-round pick (#176).

Ben Sinnott TE fourth round and more

These next three draft picks some people might not like, and like any mock draft, will likely change. The Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott was the pick at #129. Sinnott is the best blocking tight end in this draft class. Many could care less about a block-first tight end in the fourth round. Cole Kmet will be the main interior weapon for the next few years. Sinnott would see the field quickly with his instincts and ability. Also, Sinnott should show that he is more athletic than Kmet, faster, and a better blocker rookie for a rookie. Sinnott would be the perfect complement.

Ryan Poles then drafts two rookie receivers with a ton of upside as pass catchers. If Poles does pass on the receiver early, it will be okay. This class is deep. I had the chance to grab one of my favorite route runners in this class, Ricky Pearsall, but I think he will be gone long before, so I passed on him. Poles sticks with his theory in drafting hometown heroes and drafts Isaiah Williams (pick #146). DJ Moore is the focal point, along with Cole Kmet. Having another guy who could become a number one-styled player would be cool, but they wouldn’t need it if they got the right players.

How would I know? The Green Bay Packers did it. The other player at #148 is Luke McCaffery. Who would want to avoid having a McCaffery on their team? Both these players provide the opposite of what Tyler Scott and Velus Jones bring to the table.

The ability to catch the ball, run every route, and separate from man coverage. Many would ask, isn’t that DJ Moore? Yes, but they are in three different sizes. McCaffrey brings the length at 6’2″, Moore at 5’11”, and Williams at 5’10”. I am not saying the Chicago Bears shouldn’t become more traditional, but why not have three guys specializing in route running that can attack from any position on the field? Oh, and they are all three willing blockers. It’s another Ryan Poles special.