Chicago Bears 2012 NFL Draft and Offseason Review, Analysis and Depth Chart Projection
The Chicago Bears are one of my favorites to bust out as a sleeper Super Bowl candidate, and I’m really high on them as of right now. If they are able to generally stay healthy and get Matt Forte back in the fold with a fat wallet, this team is definitely scary.
Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offense are significantly improved as we look to 2012, now with his buddy Brandon Marshall in the fold and a new toy through the draft in South Carolina star receiver Alshon Jeffery. The Bears also acquired arguably the top available running back on the market in Oakland’s Michael Bush, who isn’t built to hold up as the featured back for a full season but is one of the best complementary backs in the entire league.
Another offseason for the Bears’ offensive line to gel and you’re talking about one of the best offenses in the NFL. The only real problem is that the Bears play in such an awesome division that it’s going to be tough to emerge, but there is a decent chance that three playoff teams could come from this division. Maybe not so likely, but the Bears have as good a shot as any team in the NFC of getting in, and their 2012 draft class is a huge reason why.
Here is a look at the players Chicago brought in in the draft and undrafted free agency:
- Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State
- Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
- Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State
- Evan Rodriguez, FB/TE, Temple
- Isaiah Frey, DB, Nevada
- Greg McCoy, DB, TCU
UDFA
Wyoming RB Alvester Alexander; Troy OT James Brown; Old Dominion DT Ronnie Cameron; Louisiana Tech LB Adrien Cole; Maine S Trevor Coston; Western Illinois WR Terriun Crump; West Texas A&M WR Britton Golden; Albany T A.J. Greene; Wayne State S Jeremy Jones; Liberty WR Chris Summers; Southern Miss LB Ronnie Thornton
Best Undrafted Free Agent: James Brown, OT, Troy
Talent evaluators aren’t sure what position Brown will play in the NFL, or if he is going to be able to handle the transition, but I know that he is good at his craft. Brown has great feet and long arms, and will likely play guard in the NFL. He has excellent size at 6’4″ 306 pounds for the interior offensive line, but most importantly, he has really good feet. Brown is still unrefined in his overall technique, but by golly he is a good athlete and the Bears got a guy here who graded out as a third or fourth round pick on the field. He started 38 games for Troy at left tackle, and was dominant, but when he went against some top notch competition at teh Senior Bowl, he struggled a bit and was moved to the interior. He can use his good feet to pull and will be a great fit for the Bears’ new offensive scheme under Jeremy Bates, which could be a zone scheme or mix of different things. As weak as the Bears have been on the offensive line, this is a really good addition and Brown is a guy who could start down the line at one of the guard positions, where the Bears are relatively weak. If they try to force him into the lineup, he could struggle, but the Bears have the coaching to be able to develop him into a real steal. Love this pickup for them.
Draft Class Recap and Analysis
1. Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State
In-season Scouting Report
Pros:
Has great versatility: Has lined up at DE, OLB, and ILB
Motor that doesn’t stop
Great team leader
Plays well against top competition
Great first step, or at least gets up the field quickly with timing
Changes direction very well
Violent hitter
Is fluid enough to be a good coverage guy in the N.F.L.with refinement
Decent size for a 34 OLB
Has been durable only missed time in his freshman season
Cons:
Can be overwhelmed in the run game
Might be more suited to play in the 3-4 defense
Will not be able to bulk up much more
Doesn’t possess elite athleticism
Summary:
McCellin is a do-it-all type of player. He has played DE, OLB, and ILB for BoiseState. He has performed very well versus VT from last season and Georgia this year. He never stops going towards the ball. His first step is dynamic. What surprises me is his ability in coverage. He changes direction well and his hip movement and foot agility are near elite. Every team could find a place for this guy.
Pick Analysis
This is a great pickup for the Bears, in my opinion. Sure, they could have taken Riley Reiff and we’d be talking about how great of a pick that was, and that their bookend tackles were set for the foreseeable future. However, I think the addition of McClellin gives the Bears some needed nastiness at the defensive end position. Keep in mind, they were flirting with the idea of using their remaining free agent cash on Mario Williams, who wound up in Buffalo. The Bears were certainly in the market for a pass rusher, and they got a really good one. McClellin may not be a “sack artist” yet, but he has that ability especially on the opposite side of Julius Peppers. At first, I was really surprised by this pick, but the more you look at it, the more it makes sense and the more I realize that McClellin really fits the Bears’ mold. Plus, they have to have talented guys to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford within the division, not to mention some of the other elite passers in that conference.
2. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Pre-season Scouting Report:
Bar-none the best wide receiver in the class of 2012 if he decides to come out, in my opinion. Jeffery has the total package. He is a hard worker with fantastic size and athletic ability. Incredible body control and field vision. Sure-handed receiver prospect who is shifty after the catch. He’s not going to blow away anybody with his speed, but he can get downfield with the best of them and make plays. South Carolina really likes to get him the ball out in space and allow him to use his ability after the catch. Such a physically imposing player who dwarfs literally anyone and everyone who attempts to cover him. He will remind people of an even better version of Brandon Marshall. Good quickness in and out of his breaks, and great concentration. In just two seasons, he has an astounding 134 receptions for 2,280 yards and 15 total touchdowns. With every snap that I watch, his size and strength continue to impress. He’s always keeping his eyes downfield to gain that extra yard, and like I said before, he really reminds me of Brandon Marshall in that regard. Right now, he is averaging right around 17 yards per reception, which is phenomenal considering the amount of bubble screens designed for him. Able to absorb the big hit and is not afraid to take a shot in the middle of the field. Bottom line here is that Jeffery is a physical specimen who warrants a top 10 grade after just two seasons against the top competition in college football. His dominance is clear, and his physical abilities are unlike any other receiver even possibly entering the draft next year. I think the only thing that keeps him from being a top 10 pick as well as coming out in 2012 is a serious injury.
Pros--great size…good strength…good hand…nose for the end zone…ability to get open…consistency…good after the catch…such a wide catch radius…open even when he’s not…does a great job adjusting to the ball…hard worker and a great athlete…durable..big wingspan…big hands…Not a Diva…plus blocker…beats press coverage off the snap
Cons--No glaring weaknesses to his game…could be a better route runner…not blazing speed (plus speed for his height though)…will take time to adjust to speed of the NFL…not a return man…at least early in 2011 production is not great because of quarterback play..could be a better blocker for his size
Final Thoughts
Jeffery is an excellent prospect for the N.F.L. He has the requisite size, athletic ability to be a dominant force in the N.F.L. and should be able to have his way with almost all cornerbacks in the national Football league. He’s not going to run by DeAngelo Hall on an spring or anything, but whoc ares. Jeffery is one of the few players in the league who is open even when he’s not open. He’s not a prototypical Diva that you find around the N.F.L. now. Jeffery is what Brandon Marshall could be if he really, really buckled down and applied himself. My favorite player in the league is Hakeem Nicks because he’s such a good player, but when you hear him talk all he talks about is what he could do better, what he didn’t do well in a game, or how he just needs to “keep improving”. This the mantra Jeffery seems to have from when I’ve heard him speak and that’s absolutely huge. Imagine if Jeffery ends up with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. That’ll be unreal and unfair for N.F.C. South cornerbacks (and the rest of the league), and is a lock for the top 10.
Pick Analysis
Obviously, if you look at the scouting report, it doesn’t include any information about how Jeffery’s weight ballooned up to a reported 250 or so pounds, and that he dropped a bunch of weight so he could perform at his Pro Day. I don’t know if that’s something that he simply struggled with over the last year, but he needs to get over it fast. Jeffery is a supremely talented receiver who has a chance to be a dominant player, but he could be a Brandon Marshall/Larry Fitzgerald, or he could be a Dwayne Jarrett. This pick appears to be a huge steal by the Bears, but Jeffery is going to have to put in the work. He seemed to be able to drop all of that reported weight in a seemingly short amount of time, but where is the leadership coming from on the Bears’ roster? Matt Forte is whining about his contract (justifiably so?), Jay Cutler is an ego-maniac who is also supremely talented but something of a head case at times, and Brandon Marshall is a self-proclaimed bi-polar who could face a one year suspension if he runs into trouble with the law one more time. I’m not sure who’s going to keep Jeffery in check and mentor him, but this pick was a great one by the Bears, because they have finally addressed their need at receiver by selecting a player who can be a significant impact with some real #1 upside.
3. Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State
Scouting report:
Hardin is a really interesting prospect to me. He was supposed to be a starting cornerback for the Beavers going into the 2011 season, and according to reports, he was good enough that coaches felt he would contend for All-Pac 12 honors last year. Then, Hardin suffered a shoulder injury in fall camp that put him on the sideline for the rest of the season, and he didn’t play another down.
Obviously, this kid is a physical freak and has a ton of talent. NFL scouts think he is going to make a transition to the safety position, but another former Oregon State player named Brandon Browner (Seahawks) is a starting cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, and a pretty good one at that. He stands at 6’4″ 221 pounds.
The NFL hasn’t really seen this breed of defensive back all that much. Receivers are certainly making the transition to being bigger, faster, and a lot stronger than cornerbacks, so it’s rare that NFL teams find a guy with size, speed, quickness, and good hips, but who knows: Hardin might be one of those gems.
This is a guy I will certainly be keeping my eye on come draft day. He’s got a ton of potential and athletic ability, so if he gets with the right coaching staff, he could be a very nice late-round addition for a team seeking a sleeper in the secondary.
Pros:….really good on special teams…size and athletic ability…a good open field tackler…good instincts…has a good feel for zone coverage…
Cons: a project at safety, a little stiff in the hips for a cornerback….despite his size isn’t terrific in his technique for a press corner…
Pick Analysis:
Hard not to like this pickup for the Bears. They have had some issues at the safety position, and Hardin is about as talented a guy that I have seen athletically to come along in a while. Any time a guy is over 220 pounds and runs a 4.3 something in the 40, I tend to believe that guy has immense upside, but as the notes claim, Hardin has some stiffness in his hips at times. I think the Bears are a great situation for him, because they are very good at utilizing defensive backs in unique ways. They could play Hardin as a nickel corner or rotate him in at safety, but he will initially make his mark as a special teams ace, where I think he can be incredibly effective as a rookie. This is a solid pick and I think the Bears got a guy who, if he can stay healthy, can potentially be a beast.
4. Evan Rodriguez, FB/TE/H-Back, Temple
Bio from Temple official athletics site:
Honors: Invited to play in the 2012 East-West Shrine Game … 2011 first-team All-MAC honoree … 2011 first-team All-MAC by Phil Steele … 2011 third-team All-MAC by College Sports Madness … Honorable Mention National TE of the Week by CFP (Oct. 2, 2011) … National TE of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (Sept. 25, 2011) … named to the 2011 John Mackey Award Watch List … 2011 preseason first-team All-MAC selection by Phil Steele’s College Football … 2011 preseason Tight End of the Year by the CFPA … 2010 first-team All-MAC honoree … 2010 ECAC All-Star … 2010 second-team All-MAC by Phil Steele.
Pick Analysis
Very interesting pick by the Bears, who are actually pretty weak at tight end since they traded Greg Olson last year. That opens the door for Rodriguez to come in and compete at multiple positions right away. He is a very talented athlete with some upside as a pass catcher out of the backfield, and the big thing is, Temple constantly used him out of the backfield so he will need to develop an overall game as a route runner. Rated as the top fullback by some outlets, but his true mark will be made in more of the Chris Cooley/Aaron Hernandez role as an H-back. He is a good athlete who knows how to control his body, and he does have pretty good receiving skills. A nice, underrated pickup by the Bears.
Pick Analysis
Looking through the Bears’ draft class, I have to say I’m really impressed overall but one pick that could pay some dividends sooner than expected is Nevada cornerback Isaiah Frey. The Bears picked Frey in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and I think he was a really underrated pick in a somewhat underwhelming cornerback situation.
Frey played 51 career games for the Wolfpack and was an All-WAC performer the last two seasons. He led Nevada with five interceptions this past season, and paced the 28th best pass efficiency defense in all of college football.
His technique and footwork are very raw, but Frey has exceptional closing speed, ball skills, and ability to capitalize on the Bears’ defensive style. A guy who was that impactful for such a long time in college with physical tools like Frey has won’t stay on the sideline long in the NFL. He has so much ability, but he is definitely raw. The Bears’ cornerback situation is nothing if not unsettled. They are currently starting Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman at the cornerback positions, and while Tillman appears to be entrenched as the veteran starter, and Jennings has spent six years in the league and finished last season with 77 tackles and two interceptions.
Frey, who led college football last year with 21 passes defensed, will have to out-perform Jennings as well as 2009 fourth round pick D.J. Moore, another player that I had high expectations for back when he entered the league. Moore has eight interceptions over the last two seasons and may be in line to take over the starting job before Frey, but he could certainly contribute as a nickel or dime cornerback right away.
Overall, I really like his skill set and the kind of production he had in college tends to go unnoticed because he didn’t play in a big time conference. I think he has some serious potential and could be a nice later round find for the Bears, a guy who will make an impact on special teams and in nickel/dime situations right away.
Pick Analysis
Another intriguing late round pick by the Bears here. I think McCoy is an interesting guy because he offers some serious upside on special teams, but I’m not sure if he is more than a rotational guy as a defensive back. He has excellent speed and can do a lot of things for you as a gunner on special teams, but he will have to really compete for a role as a return man since the Bears have Devin Hester, Devin Thomas, and Eric Weems–all of whom are established return specialists. What I like about McCoy is his speed, and overall athletic ability. He has run in the mid 4.3 range and that speed will really translate in special team situations. Mountain West special teams player of the year as a senior, started 38 games at TCU, and is an experienced player who knows his role on the team and is willing to do whatever it takes to win.
Overall Draft Analysis
I really like what the Bears did in terms of going after a pass rusher. I thought they might go offensive line or maybe Kendall Wright with that pick, especially with David DeCastro and Riley Reiff still on the board, both guys who had top ten grades. However, focusing on who the Bears got, I like the direction they went because McClellin will start immediately and he could pay dividends right away. Both Israel Idonije and Corey Wootton are better suited as situational/rotational guys anyway, so the Bears had a need at defensive end. Adding Alshon Jeffery and Evan Rodriguez as offensive weapons is also a move that could pay off right away. There is a chance both could be starters at wide receiver and tight end by the end of the pre-season. The Bears also seriously upgraded their defensive backfield and special teams depth, which was clearly the focus of the latter portion of the draft. They wound up getting some speedy, athletic guys in Brandon Hardin, Isaiah Frey, and Greg McCoy, all of whom should contribute in their rookie seasons. I think this was a very solid draft for the Bears.
Offseason Player Movement
Players Added
DT John McCargo
DT DeMario Pressley
LB Geno Hayes
CB Kelvin Hayden
CB Jonathan Wilhite
WR Devin Thomas
RB Michael Bush
S Craig Steltz (re-signed)
DE Israel Idonije (re-signed)
TE Kellen Davis (re-signed)
WR/RS Eric Weems
QB Josh McCown (re-signed)
LB Blake Costanzo
QB Jason Campbell
WR Brandon Marshall (trade)
CB Tim Jennings (re-signed)
RB Kahlil Bell (RFA tender)
RB Matt Forte (franchise tag)
OG Chilo Rachal (49ers)
Players Lost
DT Amobi Okoye (Buccaneers)
QB Caleb Hanie (Broncos)
CB Zackary Bowman (Vikings)
RB Mario Barber (retired)
CB Corey Graham (Ravens)
S Brandon Meriweather (Redskins)
DT Anthony Adams (cut)
Depth Chart Projection (offense)
QB: Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown, Nathan Enderle
RB: Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Kahlil Bell, Armando Allen
FB: Tyler Clutts
WR1: Brandon Marshall, Earl Bennett, Eric Weems
WR2: Alshon Jeffery (R), Devin Hester, Devin Thomas, Johnny Knox (IR likely)
TE: Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Evan Rodriguez (R)
LT: J’Marcus Webb, James Brown (R)
LG: Chris Williams, Chilo Rachal
C: Roberto Garza, Ricky Henry
RG: Chris Spencer, Lance Louis
RT: Gabe Carimi
Depth Chart Projection (defense)
DE: Julius Peppers, Corey Wootton
DT: Henry Melton, Stephen Paea
DT: Matt Toeana, John McCargo
DE: Shea McClellin (R), Israel Idonije
LB: Nick Roach, Geno Hayes
LB: Brian Urlacher, Blake Costanzo
LB: Lance Briggs, J.T. Thomas
CB: Tim Jennings, D.J. Moore, Isaiah Frey (R)
CB: Charles Tillman, Kelvin Hayden, Greg McCoy (R)
FS: Chris Conte, Brandon Hardin (R)
SS: Major Wright, Craig Steltz
Special Teams
K: Robbie Gould
P: Adam Podlesh
LS: Patrick Mannelly