Matt Waldman JOINS To Breakdown Skill Players In 2026 NFL Draft! | CHGO Bears After Dark
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In this special episode of CHGO Bears After Dark, host Greg Braggs Jr. welcomes NFL draft expert Matt Waldman to deliver a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 NFL Draft, with a sharp focus on offensive skill players—running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. The conversation opens with heartfelt tributes to Shane Marsau, who is navigating personal loss, underscoring the deep camaraderie and emotional support within the CHGO Bears podcast community. Waldman emphasizes his film-driven, meticulous approach to scouting, contrasting it with superficial 'ditto analyst' commentary, and praises the Bears’ offensive transformation under head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams. Johnson’s philosophy of player acclimation and minimizing overthinking has allowed Williams—hailed as a generational talent with elite competitive fire—to thrive without needing to fix systemic flaws. Waldman highlights a draft class lacking a dominant running back but rich in high-upside, situational players like Nicholas Singleton and DeMond Claiborne, while cautioning against reaching for inconsistent talents like Jordan Tyson. He spotlights sleeper picks such as Skylar Bell, Stripling, and Colby Young, and champions Carson Ryan of BYU as a late-round gem with elite blocking and route-running skills. The episode closes with strong endorsements of Waldman’s Rookie Scouting Portfolio and the upcoming CHGO Bears Diehard membership, which offers exclusive draft content and access to premium analysis. The segment continues with a celebration of the collaborative spirit behind the CHGO Bears network, honoring the one-year milestone of the partnership between CHGO Bears, Tape Never Lies Network, and Sick Podcast as a model of authentic, passionate sports journalism. Waldman expresses excitement about potential draft moves, particularly targeting offensive linemen Max Henneco or Caden Proctor at the 25th pick, envisioning a future 'two dancing bears' at tackle. He praises Ben Johnson’s maniacal attention to detail and self-accountability, drawing comparisons to elite coaching minds. The hosts tease a mock draft event with Greg Bragg and Carm, adding to the pre-draft buzz. Throughout, the episode radiates positivity, driven by genuine love for football, deep film study, and the human connections that define the Bears’ media ecosystem. The emotional core—support for Shane Marsau, loyalty among hosts, and dedication to integrity—elevates the discussion beyond draft analysis into a celebration of community and resilience.
Ben Johnson’s coaching philosophy prioritizes player acclimation and minimizing overthinking, enabling Caleb Williams to thrive without compensating for past system flaws.
The 2026 draft class lacks a dominant running back, but players like Nicholas Singleton and DeMond Claiborne offer high upside and situational versatility.
Caleb Williams is being hailed as a generational quarterback with elite competitive fire and big-moment performance, already playing at an NFL level.
Carson Ryan of BYU is a potential late-round gem with elite blocking skills and route-running ability, ideal for a Bears offense that uses multiple tight end sets.
Max Henneco and Caden Proctor are top offensive line prospects Waldman believes the Bears should target at pick 25 to build a strong foundation.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Tribute to Shane Marsaw & Introduction to Matt Waldman
“I'm not a writer I'm not this guy can write and it's fun to read details when you love something so much like this game it's disheartening when I see other people do that ditto analyst that I call it I just you know me and Matt might not agree all the time I just always find myself we're always on the same kind of page so”
Ben Johnson’s Offensive Philosophy & Caleb Williams’ Development
“When you go to a team that we saw that was the disaster of the past regime before Ben Johnson, I mean, drop plans not linked up to the routes. You know, no veteran quarterbacks in the room and offensive line that's not really good there. A receiver who's used to playing playground ball with Justin Fields and DJ Moore, who's very good but changes routes in untimely moments.”
Running Back & Wide Receiver Deep Dive
“He's a fun player and there's a lot to like about what he has to offer. Again, who's he going to – how's he going to really fit into this offense when you have Raymond already? He's kind of a Josh Downs, Jameson Crowder archetype of a player.”
The Heart of Draft Analysis: Passion and Integrity
“If you don't love it, you're going to blaze into blurry vision of putting things in misplaces. You have to really understand the game of football to be able to do it.”
Caleb Williams: The Foundation of the Future
“Caleb Williams might be the best quarterback in the entire NFL at this point. That's the shining thing that's happening right in front of everyone's eyes.”
“Caleb Williams might be the best quarterback in the entire NFL at this point. That's the shining thing that's happening right in front of everyone's eyes.”
“And the person that Shane is obviously probably wanting to come on here, but knowing his body is exhausted for all the things he's got to do and deal with in his life as well as this family. Shout out to his family. And please just send the positive energy their way.”
“When you go to a team that we saw that was the disaster of the past regime before Ben Johnson, I mean, drop plans not linked up to the routes. You know, no veteran quarterbacks in the room and offensive line that's not really good there. A receiver who's used to playing playground ball with Justin Fields and DJ Moore, who's very good but changes routes in untimely moments.”
Hosts
Guests
Matt Waldman
person
Greg Braggs Jr.
person
Ben Johnson
person
Chicago Bears
organization
Caleb Williams
person
Luther Burden
person
Shane Marsau
person
Colson Loveland
person
Shane Marsaw
person
CHGO Bears
organization
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