Bears 2007/2008 draft review = B+

[emperorjones]

I know its been easy to talk trash about JA and his draft busts. The media has had a ball the last few years. But heading into the 2009 draft and looking to the holes this team has, I started looking back at the last two drafts with a fresh (albeit not completely unbiased - I AM a homer) eye:

2007
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Greg Olsen TE
Daniel Bazuin DE
Garrett Wolfe RB
Michael Okwo OLB
Josh Beekman G
Kevin Payne S
Corey Graham CB
Trumaine McBride CB

2008
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Chris Williams T
Matt Forte RB
Earl Bennett WR
Marcus Harrison DT
Craig Steltz S
Zackary Bowman CB
Kellen Davis TE
Ervin Baldwin DE


Looking back, I really think these two drafts, while initially labeled as busts (especially 2007 more so than 2008) will go down as great drafts that made up the cornerstones of a young competitive team.
IMO, we picked up as many as 8 long term starters in these two drafts.

While the 2007 busts of Bazuin (injury) and Okwo (lack of talent) are well known, I think that Olsen, Beekman, Payne, and Graham will be keys parts of our future as they continue to develop while Wolfe & McBride will show their value on ST and as spot reserves respectively.

As for 2008, I know we didn't get to see much of any of our picks outside of Forte, but I'm going out on a limb and predicting that 6 out of our top 7 picks will be starters (with Steltz being a backup). If you look at the picks,

Chris Williams, considered an elite lineman, IMO, is a stud and I'm not going to take the easy road out by labeling him a bust because of the back injury from which he came back early. This guy will be our LT until 2017. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/video/?c=Player&p=215790&s=3030186&i=213888

Matt Forte we all know.

Earl Bennett is a complete unkown, but I am both worried and intrigued with the fact that JA has moved on from the older vets to get Bennett the opportunity to win the job. JA knows how bad our receiver corp was more than anyone. And unlike on defense, all the O coaches kept their jobs so their was no scape goating. He put it on the players, including the WRs. Bennett was a slot receiver in college, so drafting a #1 wide out in 2009 does not preclude the fact that Bennett will be used this season. If their faith in Beekman (after not seeing the field his rookie year) can be used as an example, we may be surprised...or maybe not. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/video/?c=Player&p=215786&s=3031103&i=213757. I think we will.

Marcus Harrison was a projected 2nd round pick that fell because of off the field concerns. He showed flashes early in the season and I think he could challenge Dusty & Anthony Adams for time and eventually move into the starting NT roll.

Craig Steltz is a backup in my eyes right now. He could excel on special teams but I have no idea about that right now.

Zackary Bowman. I love the move of trying him at Free Safety. This guy tore his bicep and begged to get back in the game. Classic. He was projected to go a bit higher and dropped to us in the 5th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPr96AAU3jAhttp://www.videosurf.com/zackary-bowman-152572

Kellen Davis could be eventually seen as one of the steals of the 2008 draft. Also projected as a second round pick by many mock drafts, his size and speed could make him a huge endzone target that regularly lines up in a two tight end set with Olsen. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/video/?c=Player&p=215787&s=3030979&i=213784

I give these two drafts (not looking at the draft position but just the talent secured) a combined B+. So with a fresh eye, forgetting Chicago media reports, what is your assessment?

[Cliff Levingston]

Cliff Levingston is very much an optimist but would give it a B, maybe a B-.

Olsen: Great receiver but not a very well rounded tight end at all. He's a sub-par blocker and is very finesse for a generally physical position.
Daniel Bazuin: Major bust.
Garrett Wolfe: Good special teams player, but you're looking for more than that in the 3rd round.
Michael Okwo: Super bust.
Josh Beekman: Good pass blocker but can't seem to make holes in the running game.
Kevin Payne: Not too bad; decent starter at best.
Corey Graham: Great pickup. He's our 2nd best CB right now.
Trumaine McBride: Nice find here as he's a solid backup CB and good on special teams.

Chris Williams: Don't know quite yet since he was hurt, which isn't good. Supposedly though he lacks a mean streak so it's hard to see him being a great run blocker which is what we need.
Matt Forte: Great pick.
Earl Bennett: Who knows yet, but it's no encouraging that he couldn't see the field when our WRs were so bad, yet Beekman didn't the year earlier and he's been solid.
Marcus Harrison: Nice value pick here as a backup to Tommie Harris.
Craig Steltz: Could be decent backup strong safety.
Zackary Bowman: Gotta love his heart and he's got a lot of talent, but we really have no idea how he'll fare at free safety yet.
Kellen Davis: Great value pick and will probably end up being better than Greg Olsen all-around.
Ervin Baldwin: Is he even on the team anymore?

[Chewie]

Good write ups, guys. I'll be more brief on account of the laziness.

I guess a straight up "B" would be my grade.

The Bazuin/Wolfe/Okwo trifecta of suck really sticks in my craw but the later pick in the '07 draft of Graham somewhat makes up for it. Jury is still out on Beekman but I still get frustrated with Payne. I think we can use Olsen even more than we do but, yes, blocking is an issue.

I don't know how to give a complete grade for '08 with Williams and Bennett fulfilling their required red shirt years. Forte looked great obviously and I think Harrison and Davis are definite keepers with starter potential. I need to see more of Bowman. Steltz needs to improve.