Post by AlexM on Apr 30, 2017 2:16:18 GMT -6
I picked these grades because I feel they are pretty fair and in line with my thinking:
ARTICLE
Round 1: Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC
The NFL is a quarterback league. In order to secure a quarterback capable of winning a championship, general managers have to make bold decisions. Ryan Pace did that with his decision to trade up for Mitch Trubisky.
I have long been a proponent for Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and held out hope the Bears would draft him in the first round. That said, my deeper desire was for the team to add a franchise-caliber quarterback in the first round, even if that player didn’t match my personal preference.
Trubisky was widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. In fact, the Cleveland Browns debated selecting him with the No. 1 pick. He warranted his draft position, and the Bears were the beneficiaries.
The Trubisky pick isn’t about the 2017 season. It’s about identifying and acquiring a quarterback who can eventually bring the Lombardi Trophy to Chicago. The Bears are still a few years away from championship contention; By then, Trubisky will be a seasoned starter.
The tape on Trubisky is limited — he only has 13 games as a starter — but it showcases all the traits desired in a top-tier NFL starter. He has very good accuracy and velocity on his passes and has a fearless mentality in the pocket. He can make plays with his legs and has nice touch on throws downfield.
Trubisky has everything but experience. He’ll eventually have that too.
Pace made a bold call and I think it’s one that will work out. It’s a good day to be a Bears fan.
Grade: B+
Round 2: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
In my opinion, Ryan Pace’s decision to draft Adam Shaheen in the second round was more controversial than his choice to move up for Mitchell Trubisky. It’s not because Shaheen isn’t a good-looking prospect; Instead, it’s because of the massive jump he has to make from Division II to the NFL.
Shaheen has been compared to Rob Gronkowski with his ability to dominate games with his rare combination of size, athletic ability and soft hands. He ran over and away from defenders, albeit in a much lower level of competition.
He reminds me, ironically, of Martellus Bennett, who Bears fans will admit was one of the better tight ends the team has ever had. Shaheen will be Mitchell Trubisky’s best friend a year or two from now as he’ll serve the all important bail-out option for the young passer.
I’m cautiously optimistic with Shaheen, but I need to see him play in live action against NFL defenders before feeling confident that he was worthy of a second-round pick.
Grade: C+
Round 4: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
The Bears were considered a team very much in play for LSU safety Jamal Adams in the first round. Not only was Adams worthy of Chicago’s first pick because of his talent, but he also filled a need in the back end of the defense.
Instead, the Bears went with Mitchell Trubisky and waited on safety until calling Eddie Jackson’s name in the fourth round.
Had Jackson turned pro after the 2015 season, he may have been a top-50 pick. He decided to return to school and suffered a broken leg after Week 8, the second major injury he had during his time with the Crimson Tide. His draft stock suffered as a result, and the Bears benefited by getting a player who has more talent than his draft position suggests.
Jackson is a good candidate to continue Pace’s trend of finding starters in Day 3 of the draft. While I wouldn’t expect him to make an impact on defense like Jordan Howard made on offense last season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he outplays Adrian Amos and ends up earning a long-term role with the first-team defense.
Grade: B
Round 4: Tarik Cohen, RB, North Carolina A&T
The Bears entered the 2017 NFL Draft with a very deep and talented group of running backs on the roster. If there was one position Ryan Pace had the luxury of avoiding, this was it.
That said, Pace tapped into the FCS level for Tarik Cohen, a player described as the human joystick because of his stop-and-start ability. His nickname is well-deserved. Cohen makes defenders look silly in the open field.
This pick feels like a miss to me. Sure, Cohen has a chance to contribute on special teams and he might earn a role a as a change-of-pace runner, but the comparisons to Darren Sproles are risky. Few players with Sproles’ measurables enjoy the kind of career he has; He’s an anomaly.
With Jordan Howard, Jeremy Langford and Benny Cunningham the likely top three running backs on the depth chart, Cohen is going to have a really hard time making the active roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up on the practice squad.
Grade: D
Round 5: Jordan Morgan, OL, Kutztown
Ryan Pace went back to Division II for Jordan Morgan, who the Bears had an opportunity to coach at the Senior Bowl.
Morgan played left tackle at Kutztown and has the kind of quick and light feet needed to play on the edge in the NFL. He doesn’t have offensive tackle size, but he’s a good athlete and has the kind of quickness needed to counter today’s speed rushers.
Pace said Morgan is slated to play guard for the Bears, and if that’s true, the pick seems like another confusing one. Unless Chicago is going to eventually kick Kyle Long out to right tackle, Morgan’s addition represents a long-term backup. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there were other players on the board — especially on defense — who may have been able to contribute sooner, and more consistently, than a guard.
I think Morgan could find himself getting reps at tackle in training camp. Bears fans should hope he does. He could be a pleasant surprise this summer.
Grade: C+
ARTICLE
Round 1: Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC
The NFL is a quarterback league. In order to secure a quarterback capable of winning a championship, general managers have to make bold decisions. Ryan Pace did that with his decision to trade up for Mitch Trubisky.
I have long been a proponent for Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and held out hope the Bears would draft him in the first round. That said, my deeper desire was for the team to add a franchise-caliber quarterback in the first round, even if that player didn’t match my personal preference.
Trubisky was widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. In fact, the Cleveland Browns debated selecting him with the No. 1 pick. He warranted his draft position, and the Bears were the beneficiaries.
The Trubisky pick isn’t about the 2017 season. It’s about identifying and acquiring a quarterback who can eventually bring the Lombardi Trophy to Chicago. The Bears are still a few years away from championship contention; By then, Trubisky will be a seasoned starter.
The tape on Trubisky is limited — he only has 13 games as a starter — but it showcases all the traits desired in a top-tier NFL starter. He has very good accuracy and velocity on his passes and has a fearless mentality in the pocket. He can make plays with his legs and has nice touch on throws downfield.
Trubisky has everything but experience. He’ll eventually have that too.
Pace made a bold call and I think it’s one that will work out. It’s a good day to be a Bears fan.
Grade: B+
Round 2: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
In my opinion, Ryan Pace’s decision to draft Adam Shaheen in the second round was more controversial than his choice to move up for Mitchell Trubisky. It’s not because Shaheen isn’t a good-looking prospect; Instead, it’s because of the massive jump he has to make from Division II to the NFL.
Shaheen has been compared to Rob Gronkowski with his ability to dominate games with his rare combination of size, athletic ability and soft hands. He ran over and away from defenders, albeit in a much lower level of competition.
He reminds me, ironically, of Martellus Bennett, who Bears fans will admit was one of the better tight ends the team has ever had. Shaheen will be Mitchell Trubisky’s best friend a year or two from now as he’ll serve the all important bail-out option for the young passer.
I’m cautiously optimistic with Shaheen, but I need to see him play in live action against NFL defenders before feeling confident that he was worthy of a second-round pick.
Grade: C+
Round 4: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
The Bears were considered a team very much in play for LSU safety Jamal Adams in the first round. Not only was Adams worthy of Chicago’s first pick because of his talent, but he also filled a need in the back end of the defense.
Instead, the Bears went with Mitchell Trubisky and waited on safety until calling Eddie Jackson’s name in the fourth round.
Had Jackson turned pro after the 2015 season, he may have been a top-50 pick. He decided to return to school and suffered a broken leg after Week 8, the second major injury he had during his time with the Crimson Tide. His draft stock suffered as a result, and the Bears benefited by getting a player who has more talent than his draft position suggests.
Jackson is a good candidate to continue Pace’s trend of finding starters in Day 3 of the draft. While I wouldn’t expect him to make an impact on defense like Jordan Howard made on offense last season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he outplays Adrian Amos and ends up earning a long-term role with the first-team defense.
Grade: B
Round 4: Tarik Cohen, RB, North Carolina A&T
The Bears entered the 2017 NFL Draft with a very deep and talented group of running backs on the roster. If there was one position Ryan Pace had the luxury of avoiding, this was it.
That said, Pace tapped into the FCS level for Tarik Cohen, a player described as the human joystick because of his stop-and-start ability. His nickname is well-deserved. Cohen makes defenders look silly in the open field.
This pick feels like a miss to me. Sure, Cohen has a chance to contribute on special teams and he might earn a role a as a change-of-pace runner, but the comparisons to Darren Sproles are risky. Few players with Sproles’ measurables enjoy the kind of career he has; He’s an anomaly.
With Jordan Howard, Jeremy Langford and Benny Cunningham the likely top three running backs on the depth chart, Cohen is going to have a really hard time making the active roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up on the practice squad.
Grade: D
Round 5: Jordan Morgan, OL, Kutztown
Ryan Pace went back to Division II for Jordan Morgan, who the Bears had an opportunity to coach at the Senior Bowl.
Morgan played left tackle at Kutztown and has the kind of quick and light feet needed to play on the edge in the NFL. He doesn’t have offensive tackle size, but he’s a good athlete and has the kind of quickness needed to counter today’s speed rushers.
Pace said Morgan is slated to play guard for the Bears, and if that’s true, the pick seems like another confusing one. Unless Chicago is going to eventually kick Kyle Long out to right tackle, Morgan’s addition represents a long-term backup. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there were other players on the board — especially on defense — who may have been able to contribute sooner, and more consistently, than a guard.
I think Morgan could find himself getting reps at tackle in training camp. Bears fans should hope he does. He could be a pleasant surprise this summer.
Grade: C+
