Chicago Bears Draft Evaluation

Well, just about everyone I have encountered while researching the Bears draft have mentioned the Jay Cutler trade in their evaluation.  I think that is fair, because let’s face it, it affected the draft.

Let me repeat something that I have mentioned before, I think it was a great move, and the Bears did not give up too much for Cutler.  Why?  Because Jay Cutler is a potential solution for a long search for a franchise quarterback.  He is 25, fresh off of a pro-bowl, and has been healthy his whole career.
Why Else?  Because Jerry Angelo and staff have historically blew it on first round draft picks.  lets look at the list:   Chris Williams, Greg Olsen, Cedric Benson, Tommie Harris, Michael Haynes, Rex Grossman, Marc Columbo, David Terell. 2 for 9 so far, we still aren’t sure about Williams, although I think he will be fine, but 33% still isn’t too hot.  So we unload a potential expensive disappointment-(see Rex Grossman, Michael Haynes, David Terell, Cedric Benson, Marc Columbo), and get an established player – see (Jay Cutler).   Brilliant move Jerry.

On to the other off season moves; let’s look at the Offensive Line: John St. Clair was lost to Cleveland, the Bears then took Browns cast off Kevin Shaffer, as far as I can see we added a younger and possibly better version of John St. Clair to the mix.  I had not realized that John St. Clair was listed as the third worst left tackle as far as sacks allowed last season 9.75.  Just to give a little clarity here Orlando pace gave up 2 sacks in 14 starts, tied for third best in the league.  Let’s look at Kevin Shaffer’s production last season, he is listed as having given up 4.5 sacks in 15 games last season, while John Tait gave up 6 sacks in 16 games.  Olin Kreutz gave up zero sacks and Roberto Garza who is returning gave up 2.5 sacks to land him at #18 overall.  Josh Beekman was listed at #7 overall with only 1.25 given up over 16 games.  The Bears also added more depth with Frank Omiyale who is versatile.  So the Bears appear to have improved the O-line in the off season.  After having watched the video of Matt Schlereth’s evaluation of the Bears off-season, it makes me laugh, he obviously didn’t do his homework.   He said they replaced the offensive line with aging veterans.  In fact they really  added only one older lineman (Orlando Pace) to the mix while drafting a potential one (Lance Louis) and expecting to add youth at Right tackle (Chris Williams)  Which Schlereth failed to even mention, and added depth all the way around.  The offensive Line is much improved over last season, with added depth and talent across the board.  The Bears will take the NFC North this year, come on Mark “Chase the Vikings”  even with Brett Favre the Vikings couldn’t take the NFC North.

On to the Draft:

I am not going to blow smoke at you and act like I know a whole lot about any of these guys, the only Guy I heard about before the draft was Juaquin Iglesias, and being an Ohio State Fan I know that Marcus Freeman was an excellent value pick and could be a future starter.

Here is the List afterward my recently researched and slightly educated reflection on the rookie class.

Jarron Gilbert is at the very least explosive, by now I suppose you have heard and seen the Youtube video of him jumping out of a pool.
If not here is the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXDSPbZ_OUw

He is also strong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAqc85MT_-0&feature=related

Ok so now that we know that, I think this is an omen of the Bears draft class, freakish, athletic guys with a lot of potential but are raw prospects!
But one thing you can’t teach is athleticism so at least we know the Bears are getting players who have high upside.  Gilbert ran a 4.87 40 at the Combine and a 4.76 40 at his Pro day- He is 6′5″ and 288, played Defesnive Tackle but probably projects better as an end rusher, strength is not an issue, but some say he relied more on talent and is very raw in his technique.  Hopefully a rookie season like Mark Anderson, but that would be unlikely certainly he will add depth.

Juaquin Iglesias – Again I heard about him pre-draft and was glad that they picked him over Massaquoi, I like Iglesias’ 4.5 speed over Massaquoi’s 4.6, He is big enough at 6′ 7/8″ 210, and had good production his last year 74 reception for 1150 yards.  I look for him to get in the rotation as a rookie.
Love this video footage, he was very productive against good competition and looks explosive.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLB00IQcHEI.

Henry Melton – He played in a big time program at Texas, was productive, and has athleticism, he is the right size for Defensive End at 6′3″ 280 (nfldraftscout.com)
Another athletic project who will add quality depth.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8jN1_JU3gQ

D.J. Moore – Nfldraftscout.com had him as a 2^nd rounder and ranked 6^th at the position, he is small at 5’9” and 192, not fast at 4.59. He supposedly makes up for it in instincts. Todd Mcshay was quoted as saying he was the Bears best pick, too bad Mcshay also said Iglesias was their worst.

Here is some video on Moore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH37cK2GBKo.

If Mcshay is right, which he usually is, this is a great value pick.

Johnny Knox – I don’t know much, but one thing I do know is he ran a 4.34 at the combine, and was said to have caught everything thrown at him! He has ok size at an even 6 foot and 185. The one big negative is he played against inferior talent at Abilene Christian. If he can make the adjustment to the NFL and is put on the other side of Devin Hester it could be a nightmare for opposing defenses. I keep reading cut and paste reports in evaluations everywhere that says he lacks elite speed, what is elite if a 4.3 isn’t?

Here is some video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNFsIp26RlY

Marcus Freeman – I had the opportunity to watch a lot of Marcus Freeman as a fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes. I honestly was shocked that Freeman slipped all the way to the fifth round. I think he was a huge value at this point in the draft, and wouldn’t be surprised if he challenged for the Strong side position with Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer.

People have knocked his size at 6’ and only 239, but he is a straight up football player and has good speed with a 4.74 at the combine, and will be an immediate special teams ace, maybe in the same mold as Ayanbedejo.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBMabHxe7kc

Al Afalava – He has good NFL size for safety at 5’11” and 213, played at Oregon State, not sure about this guy, heard nothing about him, and no invite to the combine, ran a 4.48 at his pro day. He is at best a long shot to make the team, maybe a contributor on special teams.

Here is some video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDOAigebulE&feature=related

Has him listed at 207.

Lance Louis – Not sure why we are taking a Tight End again, unless we want to keep him at his same weight and use him in goal line situations.  Looks like he is lining up at guard at minicamp. But I guess he is a good fit in goal line packages who can block but is a danger to release into the endzone. He is big at 300 pounds and ran a 4.75, that is what has intrigued the Bears staff.

Sorry couldn’t find any video on this guy!

Derek Kinder – Well he is good sized at 6’1” 210, He was never highly productive, he lacks speed to get separation. He has nice hands, but we have had that guy before (Mike Hass).  Likely will not make the team just a training camp target to add depth and create competition. There is a reason he was selected in the 7^th round.

Overall, I like what we did in the draft, and we seemed to be targeting value athletes to meet the needs without reaching too much in any round at any position (See Michael Okwo, Dan Bazuin).

Looking forward to the training camp and pre season.

More updates coming on Free agent signings!