New Video Shows Ryan Poles Has A Preferred Player For #9 Pick

Everybody generally knows what Ryan Poles will do with the #1 overall pick next month. The Chicago Bears GM hasn't offered any hints in interviews, but almost every credible insider says the same thing. Barring an unexpected shift, the Bears will take a quarterback with that pick. Caleb Williams of USC is the heavy favorite. However, things get a lot muddier when discussions shift to the #9 pick. There is a variety of directions Poles could go at that spot, but apparently, there is one player he has an eye on.

That was revealed on the newest episode of 1920 Football Drive. He and head coach Matt Eberflus were at the scouting combine watching drills when Poles pointed out somebody off-screen, stating how much he loved the kid and would draft him "if he's there."

Inevitably, this led to rampant speculation about who the supposed player could be. Twitter detectives didn't disappoint, noticing something immediately important: Poles' clothing. He wore that silver vest on the first day of the combine, February 29th. That was the day linebackers and defensive linemen did their drills.

Mike Jurecki of Arizona Football Daily provided proof of this when he snapped a photo of Poles, assistant GM Ian Cunningham, and Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer at a local restaurant together. It's the same.

This offers definitive proof that the Bears brass were likely watching one of the top defensive linemen on the board when the video took place. Most experts agree the two best available in this draft are Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner and Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse. Both are viewed as top-10 prospects, making the idea of taking them #9 overall more than plausible.

Ryan Poles has good taste, if this is true.

Both players are quite talented and boast proven track records. Turner had 22.5 sacks across three seasons with Alabama. He boasts long 34-inch arms and ran a blistering 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, showcasing his explosiveness. The appeal is obvious. That said, Turner is only 247 lbs, which is light for a defensive end. Verse, however, is 255 lbs with good length (33.25 inches). His 4.58 in the 40 showcased that he, too, is a tremendous athlete. Where he has the advantage over Turner is power. Not only does Verse have an excellent bull rush, but he also plays the run well. Eberflus likes players who can do both.

The truth is, Ryan Poles wouldn't be wrong in picking either player. Each feels like he has a bright future in the NFL. New defensive coordinator Eric Washington has worked with pass rushers of all types in his time as a defensive line coach. Turner has been compared to Carolina Panthers star Brian Burns, whom Washington coached in 2019. Verse is viewed as another Ryan Kerrigan who could play in any defense. If this is the direction Chicago goes next month, their defense will get a lot better.