One of the things that really stood out to me in this draft more so than any in recent memory is the lack of the "safe" picks. It seems to me that Phil Emery unlike Jerry Angelo before him went after what he tabbed to be the best player available as opposed to reaching for an area of need that has a much lower ceiling.
Exhibit A is right out of the gate with Shea McClellin out of Boise State. Most had him as more of a linebacker in a 3-4 defense as opposed to a hand in the dirt end in a 4-3 that the Bears run. Emery had a vision of a very good pass rusher that can be a situational rusher till he adds about 10 to 20 pounds and becomes a three down player. Unlike Angelo before him he drafted a player for his ability not one that best fits the system. Systems change players are always players. Too often that way of drafting failed and Emery is aware that football players with talent far out weigh ones who are good fits for a system.
The "safe" pick here would have Riley Reiff out of Iowa shoring up the offensive line a bit. Full disclosure that is who I thought they should have taken and was upset that they did not at the time. But after doing some research and looking at the upside to each pick I changed my tune a bit. The upside on McClellin blows away that of Reiff. In contrast the downside is equally great. But you can not win what you don't put in the middle so we will see.
In the second round Emery continued his bold moves by adding Alshon Jeffery a big 6-4 wide out from South Carolina. Jeffery was considered a sure fire first round pick coming out of his sophomore season, but a dip in production last year and concerns about his weight made him fall in the Bears lap after trading up five spots to get him. His dip in production does not concern me because of the teams decision to be more run heavy due to lack of a good quarterback. His weight seems to be under control after getting with a nutritionist and getting his eating habits in line.
The one move I find odd and made me wonder if Jerry Angelo snuck in the draft room to make the pick (thanks Keith) came in the third round in the form of Brandon Hardin a safety making 8 strait years of drafting a safety.
The Bears added a H-back/Tight end in the forth round (Evan Rodriquez) and finished the day taking two cornerbacks in the sixth and seventh rounds (Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy) to try adding stability to the secondary. On Sunday they added 11 undrafted free agents.
Missing was any help on the offensive line. I guess they meant it when they said that they are happy with the group. I am sure that you will call me crazy but I may just agree with them. Now before you stop reading and never grace this page again hear me out.
Last year before Cutler went down this group was playing and a very high level. If you look at the numbers they don't lie. Cutler was sacked 23 times in ten games last year (11 in the first 2 games) Hanie and McCown were sacked 26 times in 6 games. During the 5 game winning streak prior to Cutlers injury he was sacked only 4 times. In two of the games during that streak he was not sacked at all. So he was sacked only 12 times in his last 8 games not too bad. Not to mention that the Bears rushed for over 2,000 yards last season the most since 1991.
As we sit I will give the Bears a B on this years draft. What grade do you give? I would love to hear from you in comments below and as always....
BEAR DOWN
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