RealGM

Strengths
Very good athlete with fluid movement skills and good range. Competes hard. Runs the alley and can negotiate traffic. Good zone awareness and route recognition. Understands angles and leverage. Can carry receivers in man coverage with little wasted movement in transition on speed turns. Good leaping ability. Very smart, motivated, team player with a passion for the game. Can line up the defense. Outstanding work ethic. Contributes as a gunner on special teams. Has NFL pedigree.

Weaknesses
Has tiny hands, short arms and lacks overall bulk. Does not have ideal length to match up with NFL tight ends in coverage. Not an explosive hitter or forceful tackler. Hands are suspect -- smothers the ball and has just four career interceptions. Long-term durability could be a concern.

Bottom Line
A very smart, pedigreed, rangy free safety with the athletic ability and cover skill desired on the back end. Lack of size and tackling strength could leave much to be desired when defending the run. Top-notch intangibles -- toughness, instincts, competitiveness and leadership ability -- should allow him to quickly emerge as a defensive leader and enhance his draft status.

Sounds like a special teamer to me.

Sent from my LG-P769 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Cottage Grove wrote:Sounds like a special teamer to me.

Sent from my LG-P769 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Yeah, that's what he is

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/p ... reen-131st

It’s unknown whether Vereen will seriously challenge for one of the club’s two starting jobs at safety, but he’ll certainly ramp up the competition there. Vereen posted gaudy numbers at the NFL Combine: 4.47-second 40-yard (second fastest among all safeties), 25 bench press repetitions of 225 pounds (tops among all safeties and corners). So in addition to the versatility and experience of playing every position in the secondary, Vereen possesses speed comparable to the game’s top corners with the strength reminiscent of a linebacker.

Snippet from Michael Wrights assessment.

I expect the Bears will pick up a vet safety when teams make final cuts, which will be their main way of getting production from that position this year. They will strike in next year's draft.

I think Vareen has everything you could want in a late fourth round pick: NFL size, strength, and speed, was a team leader in college, good family tree and devotion to the game... I know this is the excitement of the draft talking, but at this point Vareen is a very enticing prospect.

I have no idea if he will become a starter, but he certainly has the foundation to do it. At the very least, Conte needs a legitimate threat on the roster to challenge him to be more consistent and dependable.

I don't like this pick. Not because of the player but because we had to give up our fifth and Bailey is still on the board, who is far better.

fleet wrote:I expect the Bears will pick up a vet safety when teams make final cuts, which will be their main way of getting production from that position this year. They will strike in next year's draft.

Yea you can only do so much in the off-season. At this point I can at least come to the conclusion he has common sense.

I can see the bears drafting a safety, C, and a quarterback next year. I'm sure Emery has his little scout minions lined up as we speak.

Sent from my LG-P769 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Cottage Grove wrote:

fleet wrote:
I can see the bears drafting a safety, C, and a quarterback next year. I'm sure Emery has his little scout minions lined up as we speak.

Sent from my LG-P769 using RealGM Forums mobile app

We already have our Center to take over for Garza. We signed Brian de la Puente who will be 29 this year and surely will get a 3-4 year extension at years end to be the starter. Also grabbed a QB late this year. So Emery has filled several needs.

I see us being set up to go LB and as you say Safety. Maybe a young Center on day 2? Its really starting to look like we won't be drafting behind the 8 ball anymore with Emery in charge.

emperorjones wrote:

Cottage Grove wrote:

fleet wrote:
I can see the bears drafting a safety, C, and a quarterback next year. I'm sure Emery has his little scout minions lined up as we speak.

Sent from my LG-P769 using RealGM Forums mobile app

We already have our Center to take over for Garza. We signed Brian de la Puente who will be 29 this year and surely will get a 3-4 year extension at years end to be the starter. Also grabbed a QB late this year. So Emery has filled several needs.

I see us being set up to go LB and as you say Safety. Maybe a young Center on day 2? Its really starting to look like we won't be drafting behind the 8 ball anymore with Emery in charge.

No kidding. It's great seeing that Emery talked about stocking the roster with youth/depth and he is actually following through with that.

The Bears had him covering slot receivers in rookie camp. Slightly interesting. 5'11 200lbs right? I wonder how much he can do this. Is he a hybrid player..

fleet wrote:The Bears had him covering slot receivers in rookie camp. Slightly interesting. 5'11 200lbs right? I wonder how much he can do this. Is he a hybrid player..

2013: Started all 13 games. Switched from safety to CB during the season = First-team All-Big Ten.
2012: Played all 13 games, starting 7 at safety.
2011: Started all 12 games at CB.

Pretty much a hybrid. I like the versatility they are adding. A Safety with corner knowledge/skills.

Have the bears explicitly spelled out his pro position? If capable even if part time, he would be another big corner to go with Fuller, and, an intriguing route to take by the Bears to get the other big corner.

I wouldn't be surprised if you are right.

Vereen has the experience and also the physical ability. He ran a 4.47 at the combine which was 2nd amongst Safeties (faster than Pryor & HHCD who both ran 4.58ish) and would have been 10th overall for corners. Also benched 225lbs 25 times which was tops amongst safeties. The guy has solid CB speed and LB strength

I wouldn't be surprised to see us waiting to see how the competition at Safety is playing out with M.D. Jennings, Danny McCray and Ryan Mundy, Conte & Steltz. If that goes well, I could see him getting reps and CB.

emperorjones wrote:

fleet wrote:The Bears had him covering slot receivers in rookie camp. Slightly interesting. 5'11 200lbs right? I wonder how much he can do this. Is he a hybrid player..

2013: Started all 13 games. Switched from safety to CB during the season = First-team All-Big Ten.
2012: Played all 13 games, starting 7 at safety.
2011: Started all 12 games at CB.

Pretty much a hybrid. I like the versatility they are adding. A Safety with corner knowledge/skills.

I think this pick is a steal. Vereen could be a huge asset just for the depth he provides.