👋 Good morning!

What a weekend, huh?

If you were out at 115 Bourbon Street, I’m bummed I couldn’t be there with everybody, but I’m so thankful that you supported our group.

And if you watched our draft coverage from home or read my posts on each pick on the website, thank you, too!

As Pat Foley would say, “We hope you enjoyed the broadcast, we know you enjoyed the outcome.”

One small problem…I’m not sure everybody enjoyed the outcome.

– Patrick Norton

The NFL Draft is officially in the rearview with the Bears adding eight new players over the weekend (not counting the several UDFAs):

I asked the rest of the CHGO Bears guys for their thoughts on the draft class. Here’s what everybody had to say:

Adam Hoge: While the Bears didn’t come up with clear answers at significant positions of need, this draft will be known for strengthening depth at other crucial positions. They didn’t necessarily need a first-round tight end or a second-round receiver who probably has first-round talent, but new head coach Ben Johnson certainly isn’t going to complain about adding more dynamic weapons to his offense.

The defensive tackle rotation also looks a lot better with Shemar Turner added to the mix, and Luke Newman will have an opportunity to earn a jersey on Sundays as the swing guard/center. This might not have been the draft we expected, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Good teams have great depth, and the Bears added a ton of depth over the weekend.

Patrick Norton (👋): I’ve never been a fan of dishing out post-draft grades. I can revisit some game tape, and I can remember watching some of these guys play in college, such as when Kyle Monangai ran for 122 yards against Illinois’ defense before the Illini had an utterly miraculous win.

However, we haven’t seen these guys line up against a full squad of NFL players. Tough to make a reasonable call until that happens. As for how everybody slots in on the roster, I don’t have a big gripe with anything. Still would’ve loved a shot at Xavier Watts, the safety out of Notre Dame.

But I’m not a front office executive. I chose the life of talking about the picks, not making ‘em.

Mark Carman: I liked the Bears’ draft. I didn’t like the Bears’ draft. Let’s look at the good that could potentially turn out great:

The Bears need more playmakers, and they added two in their first two picks with high ceilings. Colston Loveland and Luther Burden could turn out to be the best tight end and wide receiver in the draft if they reach their potential. That is exciting.

Trading out at No. 41 when Ersery was begging to be drafted was odd. Over-drafting a linebacker was odder. Not addressing the running back position until the seventh round: oddest. I also didn’t love that they didn’t address safety.

Shemar Turner is an interesting pick, but he has had trouble controlling his emotions. Burden potentially dropped due to distractions off the field. That is a lot to put on a first-time head coach.

Overall, the Bears’ draft has a chance to boom but also feels like it might bust.

GO DEEPER: Adam Hoge’s in-depth look at how the draft played out for Ryan Poles & the Bears.

Greg Braggs Jr: This draft has come down to 2 things: depth and competition. Sign of the times, as the roster seems to have reached the point where the Bears can let the draft fall to them.

Ben Johnson said: "I think all we did this weekend is we might've just turned up the notch for certain people in the building. That's a good thing. That's a healthy thing. That's where you bring out the best not only in your team but in each individual."

Competition at TE. Competition at WR. Competition at OT. Competition at LB. Competition at CB. Competition at RB. Competition breeds success. Everyone should embrace it.

And the head coach and quarterback need to get the most out of it. Talk the talk but walk the walk.

Stephen Nicholas: It all started with a stunner. Colston Loveland was not on my bingo card. The Bears spent the entirety of the offseason doing the obvious thing for seemingly the first time in my life, and then suddenly did something no one saw coming. But I'm inclined to trust in Ben Johnson — he hasn't given me any reason not to thus far.

The Luther Burden pick won me back over. After all, Burden was the consensus No. 1 WR in this draft one year ago. My only pushback: why trade back from pick No. 41 when Aireontae Ersery, Kaleb Johnson, and other perfect fits were staring you right in the face?

This was never going to be a one-year fix. Bears fans, have patience. Showing improvement to the 8-10 win range is the goal here. If Johnson and the Bears can accomplish that, the future is bright.

Red Headed Stranger: University of Denver head coach David Carle has reportedly withdrawn his name from consideration for the Blackhawks’ head coaching vacancy. That’s a bummer.

Meanwhile, former Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville could be nearing a deal with the Anaheim Ducks to become their next bench boss.

Working Man: Cubs Rule-5 pick Gage Workman is headed to the South Side after the White Sox acquired the recently DFA’d third baseman for cash considerations.

As a Rule-5 pick from the Detroit Tigers, Workman will have to be on the White Sox’s 26-man roster all season (excluding IL stints) or the Sox will have to offer him back to the Tigers.

Move On Up: Braden Montgomery is moving up to High-A Winston-Salem! The outfielder is the White Sox’s No. 5 prospect and the 51st-best in all of baseball.

Why is this a big deal? Sean Anderson wrote earlier this month that he’d favor moving Montgomery through the minor-league ranks as quickly as possible this season. Step one, complete.

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