The NFL draft is over and it suddenly seems like a long time to wait for the next meaningful event on the NFL calendar. But frankly we’re still excited trying to break down what it all means for each team and so we’re going to share some of that excitement.
That’s right every team is going to have each pick broken down as well as a look at their undrafted free agents. Up now? The Chicago Bears, they had multiple needs across their roster, lets see if they added talented or just bodies.
Round 1: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Grade: B
With the trade of Brandon Marshall during the offseason, the Bears had a glaring need at wide receiver across from Alshon Jeffery. White was one of the top three wide receivers in this class, and one of the top deep threats in the nation. White was targeted on 39 passes over 20 yards, catching 15 of them for 543 yards. Those 543 yards on deep passes ranked fourth in the draft class.
Depth Chart Fit: Starting wide receiver across from Alshon Jeffery.
Round 2: Eddie Goldman, DI, Florida State
Grade: D
With the needs on the defensive line in mind, the Bears reached for Eddie Goldman with their second pick. Goldman is supposed to be a nose tackle who excels against the run, however, he lacks the production you would expect from an NFL-caliber high draft pick. Goldman’s best game came against Louisville, who featured the lowest-ranked center in the FBS last season. Goldman doesn’t make many plays in the run game, he only had a 4.8% run stop percentage, 38th out of 56 3-4 ends. For where he was selected, you would expect to have seen greater production than Goldman produced as either a run defender or pass rusher.
Depth Chart Fit: Will compete to be the starting nose tackle, but expect him to struggle against the run.
Round 3: Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
Grade: B
As the Bears move to more of a zone running game, Grasu will be in the right situation. While Grasu will not get huge movement on blocks, he does move well in space and is able to get up to the second level with ease. The problem for him is that being undersized he lacks the power needed to face NFL nose tackles one-on-one, but if the scheme can minimize that, he will be in a good spot to play to his strengths.
Depth Chart Fit: Camp battle to be the starting center with Will Montgomery.
Round 4: Jeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State
Running behind a talented Michigan State line, Langford took full advantage to record 5.8 yards per carry. Langford has some talent as runner, he doesn’t excel in any one area, but is consistent, and has the vision and patience to take the right gap when it opens.
Depth Chart Fit: Backup running back, look for him to fight with Ka’Deem Carey for the third running back on the roster.
Round 5: Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
The Bears landed a CFF Value picks in the fifth round with Adrian Amos, one of the top coverage safeties in the draft. Amos will be able to play as a hybrid safety/cornerback for the Bears. When Amos was lined up as a slot corner, he led the class by only allowing a QB rating of 3.3, grabbing two picks to just six completions allowed.
Depth Chart Fit: Amos could push for playing time over Brock Vereen, and could be the starting nickel back by the end of the season.
Round 6: Tayo Fabuluje, OT, TCU
In the sixth round the Bears took tackle Tayo Fabuluje, who graded out positively in both the run and passing game. With Fabuluie weighing 353 pounds at the combine it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears will try moving him inside to guard, and they may also seek to bring his weight down, so that his movement skills improve to better suit the zone-style rushing attack the Bears will employ.
Depth Chart Fit: Backup/project lineman.
The Undrafted
Jacoby Glenn, CB, UCF: Glenn had the third-highest coverage grade in this CB class, allowing 0.59 yards per coverage snap (fourth-best in the nation) and a 29.7 QB Rating against that was second best.
Bryce Callahan, CB, Rice: Callahan allowed a catch once every 16.2 snaps, 10th-best for all draft picks.
Shane Carden, QB, East Carolina: On passes over 20 yards, Carden had an accuracy percentage of 49.5%, fifth highest in the draft.
Cameron Meredith, WR, Illinois State: Illinois State did not face any FBS opponent last season.
Levi Norwood, WR, Baylor: Norwood ran 90.2% of his routes from the slot, where he gained 1.41 yards per route run (YPRR), the 33rd highest YPRR out of 73 from the slot.
Tony Pierson, RB, Kansas: The undersized running back only had a 0.56 YPRR.
Brian Vogler, TE, Alabama: Was targeted only nine times last season, and struggled as a run blocker.
Cam Jefferson, T, Arkansas: Only played 127 snaps, but graded positively as both a run blocker and pass blocker.
Chad Hamilton, G, Coastal Carolina: Coastal Carolina did not face any FBS opponent last season.
Olsen Pierre, DI, Miami: Olsen had a run stop percentage of 4.6%, 41st out of 56 3-4 ends.
John Timu, LB, Washington: Timu was targeted the third-most among linebackers in coverage, but still graded positively in pass defense.
Jonathan Anderson, LB, TCU: Anderson only played on 209 snaps, but made three tackles on special teams, with one missed tackle.
Qumain Black, CB, East Central: East Central did not face any FBS opponent last season.
Anthony Jefferson, S, UCLA: Jefferson missed a tackle once every 7.3 attempts.
Jeremiah Detmer, K, Toledo: Detmer missed only three fields goals over 40 yards.
Rick Lovato, LS, Old Dominion: In addition to his long snapping, Lovato made one tackle downfield on punts last season with zero missed.
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