2026 Draft Prospects Thread

[OldSchool101]

Thanks OS. It seems to me that the Bears had a lot of offseason losses (and gains). But the losses seem excessive. How many guys from last season won't be back with the Packers? Are the numbers close between the Bears and Pack? Thanks OS.

Well ours we mostly replaced with
a similar player within reason.
Quay for Franklin
Or Malik for Ridder
Or Rasheed for Morgan

Biggest losses were
Gary
Enagbare
Doubs
Wilson

Biggest gains
Hargrave FA
St Juste FA
Cisse RD2
McClellan RD3
Dennis Sutton RD4

Now we could argue we’d lean one player over another, but not by a mile.
GB got stout in the middle and Good Competition at CB.


We had an answer fore most losses either on board or in draft. Cox Jr and Dennis Sutton Vs Gary and Enagbare. Not saying they are exact equal at all if even take our former group there. Yet there was also substantial Cap freed up in those departures. They have noteworthy replacements. I still think Brian will lock down another FA. He might possibly wait until cutdowns and add another Defender OR RB or TE etc.

 

[tynimiller]

Well ours we mostly replaced with
a similar player within reason.
Quay for Franklin
Or Malik for Ridder
Or Rasheed for Morgan

Biggest losses were
Gary
Enagbare
Doubs
Wilson

Biggest gains
Hargrave FA
St Juste FA
Cisse RD2
McClellan RD3
Dennis Sutton RD4

Now we could argue we’d lean one player over another, but not by a mile.
GB got stout in the middle and Good Competition at CB.


We had an answer fore most losses either on board or in draft. Cox Jr and Dennis Sutton Vs Gary and Enagbare. Not saying they are exact equal at all if even take our former group there. Yet there was also substantial Cap freed up in those departures. They have noteworthy replacements. I still think Brian will lock down another FA. He might possibly wait until cutdowns and add another Defender OR RB or TE etc.

You mentioned Cox but leave Sorrell off seems odd.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Well ours we mostly replaced with
a similar player within reason.
Quay for Franklin
Or Malik for Ridder
Or Rasheed for Morgan

Biggest losses were
Gary
Enagbare
Doubs
Wilson

Biggest gains
Hargrave FA
St Juste FA
Cisse RD2
McClellan RD3
Dennis Sutton RD4

Now we could argue we’d lean one player over another, but not by a mile.
GB got stout in the middle and Good Competition at CB.


We had an answer fore most losses either on board or in draft. Cox Jr and Dennis Sutton Vs Gary and Enagbare. Not saying they are exact equal at all if even take our former group there. Yet there was also substantial Cap freed up in those departures. They have noteworthy replacements. I still think Brian will lock down another FA. He might possibly wait until cutdowns and add another Defender OR RB or TE etc.

Great summary OS, thanks. Seeing the off season moves so far captured like this is very helpful.

I’m not sure if the team has gotten better, yet. In fairness, that has to wait at least a year for the FAs and three years for the rookies.

That said I’m happy with the moves Gluten made with very little to work with. And as you mention, he’s not done yet. UDFAs have been added, and a trade seems likely.

The biggest concern I have right now is RB. Gluten hasn’t added anyone to replace Wilson. I hope it’s because he knows something we don’t (like Lloyd’s progress, for example).

 

[Heyjoe4]

You mentioned Cox but leave Sorrell off seems odd.

I think he just forgot about Sorrell. Overall OS’s summary is very good.

Along with me and a few others, you had Dennis-Sutton as a possible pick at #52. I was amazed we got him at #102, somewhere around there.

Why do you think he dropped so far? He certainly looked like an early round 2 guy.

Not complaining. We got Cisse at 52 and still got DS. With Gary and Engabare gone, Edge was a definite need.

 

[tynimiller]

I think he just forgot about Sorrell. Overall OS’s summary is very good.

Along with me and a few others, you had Dennis-Sutton as a possible pick at #52. I was amazed we got him at #102, somewhere around there.

Why do you think he dropped so far? He certainly looked like an early round 2 guy.

Not complaining. We got Cisse at 52 and still got DS. With Gary and Engabare gone, Edge was a definite need.

I've shared why some may have had hesitancy, but i'll stand on a plank over piranha thick waters saying the league got it wrong personally.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

You mentioned Cox but leave Sorrell off seems odd.

Also, lets not forget that while we lost Gary, we gained back $11M in 2026 cap space, plus all future money he would have been paid. Add in the 2027 4th round pick for him and it was a net gain.

 

[DoURant]

The biggest concern I have right now is RB. Gluten hasn’t added anyone to replace Wilson. I hope it’s because he knows something we don’t (like Lloyd’s progress, for example).

Don't sleep on Strong and Martinez, they hopefully get a chance to showcase their skills a little. I'm hoping Lloyd can be healthy this year, he is very talented, but this is the year he has to stay healthy.

 

[Schultz]

Well ours we mostly replaced with
a similar player within reason.
Quay for Franklin
Or Malik for Ridder
Or Rasheed for Morgan

Biggest losses were
Gary
Enagbare
Doubs
Wilson

Biggest gains
Hargrave FA
St Juste FA
Cisse RD2
McClellan RD3
Dennis Sutton RD4

Now we could argue we’d lean one player over another, but not by a mile.
GB got stout in the middle and Good Competition at CB.


We had an answer fore most losses either on board or in draft. Cox Jr and Dennis Sutton Vs Gary and Enagbare. Not saying they are exact equal at all if even take our former group there. Yet there was also substantial Cap freed up in those departures. They have noteworthy replacements. I still think Brian will lock down another FA. He might possibly wait until cutdowns and add another Defender OR RB or TE etc.

I would add Jenkins and Wicks to the losses.

 

[OldSchool101]

I would add Jenkins and Wicks to the losses.

Jenkins I left off that list on purpose because he missed more than 1/2 of last season. Sean played the last 1/2 season and comes back in at the same role, so Sean isn’t really a gain or loss. So that’s why I left Elgton off, that’s a loss off the 2025, but I don’t consider his position at Center as one we have to fill. It’s already addressed.
Good catch on Wicks though I did miss him unintentionally.

 

[OldSchool101]

I've shared why some may have had hesitancy, but i'll stand on a plank over piranha thick waters saying the league got it wrong personally.

When I’m talking player gains I’m talking players who did not play in 2026 for GB. Actually your adding Sorrell to players who can step in only strengthens my argument. The argument being lost here is in the micro managing of potential roster improvement is that we’re equipped to get better with players who have either not played or missed nearly the entire 2025 season.

I’m not sure if id exactly put Barryn Sorrel in “”he’s missed rheventire season or the vast majority of games in 2025” list. Correct me if I’m wrong but Colin Oliver or Brenton missed nearly the entire season (79 combined snaps in 2025)
This was never about a
“who’s the better player” list

 

[Heyjoe4]

I've shared why some may have had hesitancy, but i'll stand on a plank over piranha thick waters saying the league got it wrong personally.

not quite following Ty. What did the league get wrong? Letting DS slip so far?

 

[Heyjoe4]

I would add Jenkins and Wicks to the losses.

Losing Jenkins doesn't bother me. When Wicks was on, he was very good. Seemed he didn't get enough targets. I still wish he were on the team.

 

[DoURant]

not quite following Ty. What did the league get wrong? Letting DS slip so far?

I myself think it was the consistency of DDS. His good tape is really good to great, but he does have some WTF moments that leave you scratching your head. That being said, 4th rd where we got him is crazy, he is still a 2nd rd talent, no question about it, imo.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I myself think it was the consistency of DDS. His good tape is really good to great, but he does have some WTF moments that leave you scratching your head. That being said, 4th rd where we got him is crazy, he is still a 2nd rd talent, no question about it, imo.

I agree. When I look at the contract value of EDGE players, I think DDS will turn out to be a 4th round steal. Will he immediately have the impact of Kingsley Enagbare? Probably not right away, but the Packers don't have to spend $10M on him in 2026 either. On the other hand, I think the ceiling for DDS is much higher than KE's.

The Packers didn't get a polished 1st round EDGE with DDS, but they got the potential for one.

 

[tynimiller]

not quite following Ty. What did the league get wrong? Letting DS slip so far?

Precisely.

 

[gopkrs]

not quite following Ty. What did the league get wrong? Letting DS slip so far?

Nothing. Until he proves it on the field.

 

[tynimiller]

Nothing. Until he proves it on the field.

Nope the question was why I feel the league was wrong is wrong and I'd stand over piranha infested water on a plank on - is they all got it wrong and he was one of the best Edges in the draft.

Whether I'm proven wrong, right, partially right or wrong....time will tell.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Precisely.

Yeah I felt the same way. I thought DS would be worthy of the #52 pick, but CB is a bigger need (barely) and Cisse fell to the Packers. Cisse was the right pick.

And then, surprisingly, DS fell to them! I don't see any valid reason why he dropped to #102. Sometimes ya gotta be good and sometimes ya gotta be lucky.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Nope the question was why I feel the league was wrong is wrong and I'd stand over piranha infested water on a plank on - is they all got it wrong and he was one of the best Edges in the draft.

Whether I'm proven wrong, right, partially right or wrong....time will tell.

I understand gopkrs comment. ALL draft picks can only be evaluated based on what they do in the NFL. Three years is about the right timeframe to truly evaluate a draft. But we're talking about what happened in the draft versus what was expected.

Your point was that the "collective" league (or GMs) erred in letting DS fall so far, and that he was arguably the best Edge guy in the draft - certainly the best Edge guy after the first round. Agreed. And so far, I haven't read about any justification for the drop.

I think you and I and a few others would have been ecstatic getting DS at #52. (I'm not so sure about the pirahna thing though Ty........)

Gluten was correct to draft CB Cisse when he was still there at #52, and the football gods let DS drop two rounds and right into Gluten's hands. As always, time will tell. I really liked this draft based on the immediate needs of the team, and the talent of the guys picked. For now, that's all.