Bears Draft Grade

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

I will start off by saying that I feel a C grade is warranted.

We walked away without a DT or OT.

IMHO, we picked our DE too early in RD 1, picked an injury-prone Safety in RD 3, a short TE in RD 3, & added two more short CBs to our already crowded CB group. On the positive side, I like the big WR with hands that we picked in the 2nd.

It is Emery's first draft & we will soon see if he's simply smarter than other NFL GMs or if he out-smarted himself with his selections.

Round 1: Shea McClellin (DE)
Round 2: Alshon Jeffery (WR)
Round 3: Brandon Hardin (S)
Round 4: Evan Rodriguez (TE)
Round 5: Traded pick to move up in Round 2
Round 6: Isaiah Frey (CB)
Round 7: Greg McCoy (CB)

[Chewie]

So hard to judge right now to tell you the truth.

I'm giving it a B but that's putting a lot of faith in Emery and his scouting dept at this point. To REALLY judge a draft you really have to do it after a few years and look back but if you put a gun to my head now that's the grade I'm giving.

Given virtually all the DEs were on the board and Emery had a chance to look closely at each and do his homework, I'm going to assume at this point he's picked the right one to fit our scheme.

Feel good about Jeffery. Still chuckle at the fact I had no doubt we were going DE, WR in Rds 1 and 2 despite all the talk about the flexibility we had due to the FA signings. The needs were just too great and the picks were there for the taking.

You know how I feel about the Hardin pick - thought there were two DTs on the board we should've taken instead but, yes, safety depth was lacking as well. Really looked like a reach and I'm sure even Hardin was surprised to be picked that high after not getting a combine invite and missing his senior yr.

Rodriguez looks like a real keeper if he's matured and who the hell knows about the corners taken late?

Good draft and I feel good about the team overall. Cutler has weapons galore now for once and big question marks going into camp is whether we can keep him upright and if we can get some depth at DT.

Go Bears!

[jl342323]

Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State - the next clay matthews/mike vrabel hybrid. eventually replace urlacher at MLB. and versatile enough to play DE for few years.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, S. Carolina - colston 2.0 with better hands and speed
Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State - john lynch jr. nuff said
Evan Rodriguez, TE, Temple - aaron hernandez with toughness.

Daaaa BEARS

seriously though, i will give it a B-. i have a feeling that evan rodriguez is gonna be a steal in this draft. hes so versatile and plays so much like aaron hernandez. he has alot of work to do, but i like what i saw from him.

shea needs to get stronger. i believe hardin had more reps on 225 then shea at the combine.

[emperorjones]

I gave it a C+/B-

But....I gave the drafting of:

Jarron Gilbert an A
Henry Melton a C
David Terrell an A and
Brian Urlacher a C

so by that standard we just drafted 2 Hall of Famers and a probowl safety.

BTW, an NFL Network analyst compared Shea McClellin to Hunter Hillenmeyer. WTF! race blinds him that much that Hunter is the only comparison he's got lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IWannaGoHIGHER]

I liked the draft overall. A soild B grade. I don’t judge players on wither or not the “experts” who make mock drafts for a living thought they were a reach or a steal. If you like a player that you think helps your team, take him. If he turns out to be a good player no one will remember if he was the 5th or the 50th player taken. So lets go round by round.

Round 1 (19)- Shea McClellin DE: I really liked him as a football player. Was a first team all WAC performer in 2010, and then a first team Mountain West perfomer in 2011. Finished his career with 20.5 sacks (with 7 last year), and 130 tackles. A good point he brought up about his number was because of Boise St. offense the defense wasn’t on the field a whole lot and also he was asked to cover and drop back a lot. Makes his numbers a bit more impressive in my eyes. People you talk to says he has a swagger about him. He's a very good athlete that is versatile. He was a guy that wasn’t suppose to be a good tester and was better on film. But then came out at the combine and put up some of the best numbers for DE in the speed drills. But I have real concerns about his fit as a DE. I think he’s plenty big enough, but if you watch his tape he’s at his best rushing the passer in a 2 point stance and making plays on the ball. In the 3-4 I think he’d be dominate (and the fact the Pats were going to trade up for him and GB loved him says something) but we will see. Maybe the Bears become a little more versatile now. Use some more zone blitzes and have Shea do some things we haven’t seen out of the Bears in awhile. Maybe Rod and Lovie realize while our defense is good we need some wrinkles to throw at Rogers and Stafford. I also wouldn’t hold my breath if your waiting to see him at linebacker anytime soon. Sounds like the bears are gung-ho about making him a DE (I like to see him play at a couple spots but that’s just me). Overall love him as a football player but I worry about the fit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_B2JlIleWQ&feature=related

The game film (not a highlight an import distinction) here I thought be showed his versatility. Really is a good football player.

Round 2 (50)- Alshon Jeffery WR: My favorite pick of the draft. Was a First team All American and all SEC in 2010 and was a top three finalist for the Biletnikoff. Was a second team all SEC this past year. Finshed his career with 183 catches for 3,042 yards and 23 TDs. I thought if he had Garcia throwing to him this year (instead of Connor Shaw or whatever his name is who idk can even throw a decent ball over 15 yeards) and put up the same number as his sophomore we’d be discussing if he or Blackman was the better player. Is a big, tall, physical receiver, with incredible hands. Who can go up and get that ball, and almost always comes down with it. Always breaks at least one tackle and I think has deceptive above average speed. And excellent speed for a guy his size (ran a better 40 then AJ Green btw). Needs to work on route running, ran a lot of rounded off routes. Partly had to do with the fact he only ran 4 routes in college to get open but in the NFL you need to run crisp sharp routes. Weight has been a problem with him but he at least acknowledged it at the combine and showed up at 216. Said that he made poor diet choices at some points but who doesn’t do that in college. Now he knows he has to be in shape and the Bears can monitor that closely. Personally I also think he’s a perfect receiver fit across from Marshall. And if Marshall is as football intelligent as Cutler says then Jeffery is going to benefit a ton from being around him. Great pick IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljiaojL5fM

This is my favorite highlight reel. Because you see him take on, and beat, guys like Jenkins (2nd round), Barron (1st round), Kirpacktrick (1st round), Hayward (2nd round), and Boykin (4th round) all guys who were drafted pretty highly this past weekend.

Round 3 (79)- Brandon Hardin S: I get the rational behind this pick. We do need another safety. Major Wright just hasn’t look like a starting caliber SS in the NFL. And with Hardin very rare blend or size (6’3 or a little under) and speed (right around a 4.4) adding the fact he’s had a background in coverage as a CB makes him a very intriguing prospect. But he only played a year and a half (starting I mean) at OSU in 5 years there … that worries me, a lot. Missed all of last year with a shoulder injury, and has had hand and wrist problems in the past. Add in the fact he hasn’t played a whole lot of safety and again this pick is a risk. But you see why they pulled the trigger. He was a projected 3-4 rounder at the start of the year and you’d have to think if he showed the improvement that was expected he could have gone up a lot higher on draft boards. You can’t teach the gifts he has and while he’s no corner he does have solid, not great, coverage skills, and is does hit hard and wrap up. And you see it in the stats he put up only 105 career tackles (63 in the only full year starting)|, but also quite a few special team tackles. His instincts I would say are going to be average because I don’t care what he says a year off of football takes its toll. But he has already shown to be a dominate special teams player at OSU (the richer get richer in Dave Toub). Overall he is a risk but does have the potential to finally have some stability at the safety spot (although you could say that about most guys we’ve drafted in the last few year).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrCYA2_zbY

His Pro Day workout and interview. I mean you can see it there why people love him, the size and speed is hard to miss watching him.

Round 4 (111)- Evan Rodriguez TE-H Back: This again is a guy who is a risk. But if I had to describe one word to fit this draft class and Emery style it’d be “versatility.” I mean this guy lined up everywhere for Temple last year. H-Back, FB, TE, and they even split him out at wideout a few times. And was a first team all MAC performer and on the Mackey Award watch list (although some expected more out of him). He’s got the athletic ability but his height (little under 6’2) and weight worry me. But again the athletic gifts are there. Ran the 40 well at 4.56, and was tops in the 3 cone, 20 and 60 yard shuttle for TE. Also registered a 36 inch vertical. A very good fit for a Tice system. Bates is going to be throwing in a lot more bootlegs this year for Cutler and look for Rodriguez to be running shorter routes and make some plays underneath. Has good natural movement and has good hands. I think he’s a good blocker for his size but I think he’s going to need to get a lot stronger. Didn’t produce a whole lot in college but a main factor in that was the system he played in. But he was the leading receiver of the team last year with 35 catches, for 479 yards, and two TDs. The major question for him though is off the field. Went to WVU had to transfer because of an assault charge on a female RA. Then transfers to Temple and gets a disorderly conduct charge in 2009. Also people have labeled him as an underachiever. So talent wise, you see how he can help this team. Fit wise and need wise you see how he could be a new weapon and fit right into the type of offense Tice was talking about. I just personally thought there were better prospects in other more dire places of need then where he was taken..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7t_qeeHEJ3Y

Some game film of one of the better games Rodriguez had this year. You again here can see his versatility.

Round 6 (184)- Isaiah Frey CB: Guys got good measurable with a reported 40 around a 4.4 and a hair under 5’11. Which is the main thing you look for in late rounder. He has said to have decent instincts but to be honest although I’ve seen Nevada play I was never focused in on him. But watched a couple highlights on him and is a decent cover guy who mostly played man to man, not a ton of zone. Tend to get his feet bogged down (meaning too many missteps and eyes in the backfield) and over extend his arms. But had great production last year with 5 picks and his 21 passes defended lead the nation, so he has a bit of a nose for the ball. Was also a first team All WAC player. Again another guy probably destined to be a special teamer. A guy who can add depth at CB and maybe turn out to be a decent special teamer with his speed. All you can ask really out of a 6th rounder. Would have addressed CB a little earlier if it were me but Emery has more faith in Jennings and Hayden then I do. But I like the pick in the later rounds, seems like a solid prospect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RsM55Fm4Rc

A good highlight tape on Frey. Really gives a wide range of angles and different types of plays.

Round 7th (220)- Greg McCoy CB: Another pick another CB that is going to see some time on special teams. Honestly the Bears invest more on special teams then any other team in the league … by far. Toub must be jumping for joy after this off-season. Anyway this guy first off is a bit short (I’d say 5’9 and a half) but his pro day he had an unofficial time (keep that in mind) of 4.31, now that’s fast. Most though have him in the high 4.3 or a low 4.4. He’s a return specialist and a pretty good one. A CBSSports.com and Yahoo! Sports first-team All-American at kick returner. Averaged over 30.6 yards per return, which was 6th in the country. As for cornerback skills they are solid but not overlay impressive, although he did have 7 career picks. If anything he could eventually be a nickel corner at the NFL level. But has only decent technique and will have to be adjust to be small and undersized vs bigger faster NFL WR. Also isn’t a great tackler, goes back to the lack of strength . I think we’ll have a hard time making the roster I think but the speed and the return skills are there if he can show to be a solid back-up nickel he may stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP9D68AHB-E

A good return of his. If you look him up you see a whole lot of almost TD returns. Some very close ones.

[emperorjones]

I liked the draft overall. A soild B grade. I don’t judge players on wither or not the “experts” who make mock drafts for a living thought they were a reach or a steal. If you like a player that you think helps your team, take him. If he turns out to be a good player no one will remember if he was the 5th or the 50th player taken. So lets go round by round.

AWESOME analysis! Best Bears draft review I've seen on the net thus far. Thanks

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Thank you for that analysis, Higher.

[DJhitek]

I actually like the Hardin and Jeffery picks, I like Mcellens versatility as well. Just not a fan of the rest of the draft. Definite value could had been had inside the trenches and I felt we simply ignored those needs altogether.

[Friend_Of_Haley]

I think I like the McClellin pick a lot if we take advantage of his versatility and move him around. If we use him like your typical cover 2 DE he won't be as successful. Look at past successful Cover 2 DEs and he's not like them.

I'll go C+ for strictly the draft. I'll pretend that udfa Brown was our 5th round choice and give it a B- overall.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Magilla_Gorilla]

I'm only really going to grade it based on the first 3 rounds.


Round 1: B+
Shea McClellin - I was surprised as much as anyone, but only because there had been no talk connecting him to the Bears. He had a private workout, but with the position coach. We didn't send Lovie or Rod to go see him. This kid is a talent, and after the initial surprise wore off - I quickly came to love this pick. He's got great speed, good athleticism, and incredible hands. Every scouting report talks about how versatile the kid is - and thats a good indication of football IQ and on-the-field athleticism - this isn't just some kid who put up great combine numbers.

Another thing to note, and Shea brought it up himself in the press conference is that his stats are a little misleading because he didn't play nearly as many downs as some of the top prospects (Mercilus), and because he was so talented they moved him all over the field including at times into a safety/rover position (like our friend Mr. Urlacher used to play at New Mexico).

This kid is high-energy, strings moves together, and isn't going to quit on a play if the Tackle gets the initial advantage. I expect he'll start out as a situational pass-rusher, but they'll son have packages for him to get on the field on all downs. Sounds like a great kid and a good pick.

Round 2: A+
Alshon Jeffery WR - I absolutely love this pick. Big fan of this kid from South Carolina and the type of physical game he plays. He's got phenomenal hands and can go up and take the ball away from the DB. Strong as an ox, he routinely stiff-armed his foes into the turf. He's got decent speed, but I don't expect him to run away from most CB's. Its also true that he doesn't get great seperation - but what he does do is use his body and long reach to maintain an advantage on the DB and catch everything thrown his way. I love the idea of Alshon going against single coverage and Jay tossing the ball up for Jeffrey to go get.

The idea of Brandon and Alshon, with 6'7" Kellen Davis, and my boy Earl in the slot - goosebumps already.

Round 3: C
Brandon Hardin - Honestly don't know much about the kid other than his measurable's and highlight tapes. I read that he wasn't much of a CB, and that safety always seemed to be a more natural position. Looks like a terror on special teams. Gave a C if only because of Hardin's injury history.


I like the draft, and I can't wait for the season.

Is there any coach happier with this offseason than Dave Toub?

Re: Offensive Line. For better or for worse, whether you agree with t or not, the Bears have faith in the current group of lineman - and they're staking their professional careers on these guys. Its a young line, and I think the Bears really believe that there will be internal growth and schematic changes that will greatly improve this lines ability to protect Jay Cutler (regardless what that horses ass Hub Arkush thinks/says). Statistics from last year prove that before Jay went down the line was making tremendous improvements, and that Martz and Caleb Hanie at the end of the season really torpedoed the good work the line had been doing. Camiri and Wiliams should be healthy, and this line should continue to get better.

Re: Defensive Tackle. I expect he Bears will be loking at the second wave of FA/Veteran cuts to pic up a guy who can come in and back up Melton/Paea and be a part of the rotation. Theres always some quality guys available, lets hope thats where the Bears are looking.

[fleet]

well I can't recall many drafts where there were so many questions to answer about the picks and the talks of reaches. And the O Line was ignored. I wish I could give it an Incomplete. In fact I do. The first rounder has questions about his position and value. Same with the 3rd rounder, and also in terms need and alternative need position candidates that were available. The most appropriate guy in terms of draft position, need, strength of competition and production played 20 lbs overweight last year. Although that TE seems pretty solid as a prospect and was taken in a good spot. Might have been the only value pick. Yet too many overall questions to grade this.

There is no floor or ceiling on this draft. Unless you want to say Dave Toub should be happy. Ok, there, thats your floor.

[Cliff Levingston]

Like pretty much everyone else, it would have been nice to see a later round DT or OL added rather than 2 DBs, but oh well. We needed a DE, WR and S and got them with our first 3 picks. Hopefully Hardin can stay healthy, Jeffery can stay at the right weight and McClellin can improve his strength to survive as a full-time DE.

Ultimately, if just McClellin and Jeffery turn out to be good this year, we'll have a great team.

[TyrusRose2425]

I give this draft a B. Love the McClellin and Jeffrey picks, not a fan of the rest.

McClellin will be a beast and everybody will love him once he gets to take the field. He's a better run stuffing Clay Matthews or a slightly better Connor Barwin. He won't be our OLB or MLB, he's our DE and will never move positions as long as we play a 4-3 defense. If we shift to a 3-4 defense, he'll be the pass rushing linebacker like Matthews. It was between Perry, Jones, and McClellin for me if we went DE at 19. I preferred Perry, but I'll trust the Bears judgement. If Rod Marinelli is regarded as the best DL coach in the NFL, then I'm sure he had a big say in this pick and knows what he's doing. We're not asking him to pick a safety for us in the 1st where his judgement may not be that good. The Patriots and Packers were also after this guy, that should say something.

Also a big fan of the Jeffery pick. Would have preferred trading up for Cordy Glenn, but Jeffrey is a fine pick. He'll never be a number 1 receiver because all number 1's know how to get separation, but with Marshall opposite of him, he doesn't need to fill that role. He has terrific hands and bodies up the DB so they can't get the ball away from him. Will do us good with the occasional erratic Cutler throw. He's also a tremendous endzone threat. Would love to see us rotate between him and Hester as the Z receiver with Bennett in the slot. Think of this team now, last season we had virtually no weapons out there for Cutler other than Forte and Bennett. Now we have a top 5 receiver with Marshall, an extremely talented number 2 WR with Jeffery, Bennett in the slot, and Hester who can now do damage since the defensive attention and safety will be put on Marshall.

My biggest frustration with this draft is we didn't address the OL whatsoever. No OL to groom to later start on our line. Webb sucks and shouldn't be on an NFL roster, Williams doesn't give us the push on short yardage situations, Garza isn't getting any younger, Louis is 15 yards overweight. Carimi is the only legitimate OL. I hope they move Carimi out left to at least protect Cutlers blind side. I'm not buying any of this 'It was Martz's 7 step drop' or 'Tice's offense will make them look good' talk. The OL only looked good at the end of the year because of Cutler's ability to scramble and avoid the pass rushers. I fear he'll be running for his life once again this season. Should have been a OL in round 3 rather than our 20th different safety in the past 4 years.

[Cliff Levingston]

Cliff Levingston loves the idea of the Jeffery pick right off the bat (having two 6'3" guys on the outside), but looking further, we may have a general lack of speed. Marshall is known as a posession guy, someone who can catch the ball and YAC it up. Jeffery really is that same type of player for the most part and isn't going to scare defenses deep strictly by using his speed. We all know Bennett isn't a speed demon either. Hester is there but how much will he really get on the field?

If the goal is to run to setup the pass, teams aren't going to be too scared (or perhaps not scared enough) that we can drop a ball over their heads at any time with (for example) Knox's blazing speed and Cutler's monster arm.

Obviously a big positive is Jeffery's red zone prowess. Big body, great hands, will fight for balls in traffic; there's nothing else you can add onto that to make him a more attractive red zone target.

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Cliff Levingston loves the idea of the Jeffery pick right off the bat (having two 6'3" guys on the outside), but looking further, we may have a general lack of speed. Marshall is known as a posession guy, someone who can catch the ball and YAC it up. Jeffery really is that same type of player for the most part and isn't going to scare defenses deep strictly by using his speed. We all know Bennett isn't a speed demon either. Hester is there but how much will he really get on the field?

If the goal is to run to setup the pass, teams aren't going to be too scared (or perhaps not scared enough) that we can drop a ball over their heads at any time with (for example) Knox's blazing speed and Cutler's monster arm.

Obviously a big positive is Jeffery's red zone prowess. Big body, great hands, will fight for balls in traffic; there's nothing else you can add onto that to make him a more attractive red zone target.

I agree that we are certainly lacking a speed quotient outside of the numbers - but what we do have is two guys who should absolutely dominate single coverage on the outside. Not with speed, but with their size, length, and their hands. Both Marshall and Jeffery are strong runners who can use the stiff arm and rack up YAC. And as soon as they start rolling the safeties over to help those guys we'll have the middle open up for Davis, Bennett and E-Rod (if he sticks).

We might not have the quick strike weapons we had with Hester ad Knox on the field, but I think the consistency is going to be there, and we should have significantly fewer 3 and outs.

I love how this offense is going to look - even with the lack of a vertical 'over the top' threat. I think we'll still get our yards.

[DJhitek]

Cliff Levingston loves the idea of the Jeffery pick right off the bat (having two 6'3" guys on the outside), but looking further, we may have a general lack of speed. Marshall is known as a posession guy, someone who can catch the ball and YAC it up. Jeffery really is that same type of player for the most part and isn't going to scare defenses deep strictly by using his speed. We all know Bennett isn't a speed demon either. Hester is there but how much will he really get on the field?

If the goal is to run to setup the pass, teams aren't going to be too scared (or perhaps not scared enough) that we can drop a ball over their heads at any time with (for example) Knox's blazing speed and Cutler's monster arm.

Obviously a big positive is Jeffery's red zone prowess. Big body, great hands, will fight for balls in traffic; there's nothing else you can add onto that to make him a more attractive red zone target.

You do need to stretch the field in this league but honestly, I think you are underrating both those guys ability to get down field and make plays.

Jeffrey and especially Marshall are tremendous after the catch as well and IMO there are going to be big plays in this offense regardless of where it happens. I'll throw it up to Alshon or Brandon all day because they have an uncanny ability to go up and get the ball.

As for the offensive line, there is a level of confidence that most people have in Tice and I agree it's legit. That said, I don't care how good your offensive line is, if they can't stay healthy, they can't grow as a group and perform well. That's been the main issue with our O/L draft picks. Health...

[emperorjones]

There had been talk here whether or no Shea could be a 4-3 end. Thought this was interesting from Biggs:

10 b. One scout for a 3-4 team really liked Shea McClellin and it’s been reported the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots, both 3-4 defenses, were high on him. So, I asked the scout if he sees him as a fit for a 4-3 scheme like the Bears.

“Absolutely, that’s what he played at Boise,” the scout said. “He plays nine and five technique all day long. You can stand him up if you want. If (Rod) Marinelli puts 10 pounds on his butt, he’ll be a base end and be a real (tough player). Now, I thought 19 (overall) was a little rich but I love the pick. With as many teams with 3-4 defenses that coveted the kid, the Bears had to take him there.”

[Cliff Levingston]

You do need to stretch the field in this league but honestly, I think you are underrating both those guys ability to get down field and make plays.

Not really. Cliff Levingston is more referring to how the defense sets up. You want both safeties back if you can in order to run the ball. Without that blazing speed threat, the defense might not be as scared to line up a safety in the box and keep him down low to try to affect the pass.

Jeffrey and especially Marshall are tremendous after the catch as well and IMO there are going to be big plays in this offense regardless of where it happens. I'll throw it up to Alshon or Brandon all day because they have an uncanny ability to go up and get the ball.

This is true. Stafford looks a lot better than he is because when he's getting rushed, he can just lob the ball up near where he thinks Calvin Johnson might be and Johnson will come down with it. We've got two guys that are like that now, which is awesome.

As for the offensive line, there is a level of confidence that most people have in Tice and I agree it's legit. That said, I don't care how good your offensive line is, if they can't stay healthy, they can't grow as a group and perform well. That's been the main issue with our O/L draft picks. Health...

We'll see. Cliff Levingston thinks the line will be improved due to health, continuity and scheme, just not great or anything. But that's ok: the Packers haven't had a great offensive line the last couple of years either and it hasn't held them back too much.

[Chewie]

I wouldn't sleep on Jeffery's speed. He was clocked with a 4.49 40 at his pro day when he was 212 lbs which he's reportedly maintained.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

I wouldn't sleep on Jeffery's speed. He was clocked with a 4.49 40 at his pro day when he was 212 lbs which he's reportedly maintained.

I've read that he's a long strider, which might give people the perception that he's slow. I viewed a ton of pictures of him BEHIND the DB, so that tells me that he's not slow.