Draft Review: Chicago Bears

1st Round, Pick #20:  Kyle Long G Oregon

On the surface this looks like a good pick because Long gives them an athletic lineman to plug in at the left guard spot and improve an offensive line that has been a huge issue for the Bears and Jay Cutler.  Long is a good athlete and has a good strength.  He'll fit in well with what the Bears want to do on the offensive line.  But Kyle Long wasn't worth the 20th pick in the draft.  Especially with Tyler Eifert and Sharrif Floyd still available.  Both of those players are more valuable and are bigger impact players.  Heck Floyd was a top 10 player.  It looks like they wanted to move down to get Long but couldn't find a trade partner and just reached on him instead.  It's one thing to get the player you want, but that's not a strategy you want to adopt.

Pick Grade:  B 

2nd Round, Pick #50:  Jonathan Bostic MLB Florida

The Bears are looking to find Brian Urlacher's replacement and are hoping that Bostic ends up being the right now.  DJ Williams will start the season as the starter, but Bostic could be the starter by the end of the year.  Bostic fits new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker's scheme because he has the size and speed to go side line to sideline and step up and make tackles.  This may have been a little early for him, but since the Bears didn't have a third round they probably felt that they needed to take him at #50 or they wouldn't get him.  So it's hard to fault them there.

Pick Grade:  B

4th Round, Pick 117:  Khaseem Greene OLB Rutgers

In what might be one of the best values in the draft the Bears got a real playmaker in Greene.  Many thought Greene was a lock as a second round pick.  But to take him in the fourth is a flat out steal.  It will be interesting to see where Greene plays.  His best fit is at the weakside linebacker spot, but Lance Briggs is one of the best in the NFL.  However the strongside spot isn't locked down.  Greene could find a spot there with his added ability to blitz which will come in handy on passing downs.  Either way the Bears found a talented player who could be a big part of their new defense.

Pick Grade:  A+

5th Round, Pick #163:  Jordan Mills OT Louisiana Tech

In their continued effort to rebuild the offensive line, the Bears found another good value in the fifth round.  Mills played left tackle at La Tech but he doesn't have the athletic ability to stay there.  However with Jermon Bushrod signed they don't need him there.  Mills will compete with J'Marcus Webb and Jonathan Scott for the right tackle spot.  Mills is a powerful blocker and should earn the backup job and could be the right tackle of the future if Webb doesn't continue to develop.

Pick Grade:  B+

6th Round, Pick #188:  Cornelius Washington OLB Georgia

This was a great move in two ways.  Not only did the Bears get yet another great value in taking Cornelius Washington, but their move back with the Falcons gave them a seventh round pick.  Washington made a name for himself with an impressive combine workout, but his pass rushing potential is what really impressed the Bears.  He doesn't have a great motor, but when it's on he's extremely tough to block.  Given his size he has the ability to develop into a weakside defensive end.  If Washington develops he could be the eventual replacement for Julius Peppers.  If not, it's only a 6th round pick they wasted.

Pick Grade:  A+

7th Round, Pick #236:  Marquess Wilson WR Washington State

Every year there is a player that has first or second round talent but slips to the final round or goes undrafted and turns out to be a big time starter.  Last year we saw it with Alfonzo Dennard and Vontaze Burfict.  Chicago is hoping they got that guy this year.  Wilson was considered one of the top receivers coming into this year but struggled in Mike Leach's new offense and then quit the team.  He has a ton of talent, but can he mentally put it together?  Who knows, but if the Bears can get Brandon Marshal sane, why not Wilson?

Pick Grade:  A+

Player Profile: Kyle Long

Kyle Long

Height:  6'6
Weight:  313
School:  Oregon
Position:  Guard
Rank:  #4 Guard
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Ideal Frame for an offensive tackle.
-Huge hands (11") used to control defenders
-Very good athlete for his size.  Ran the third fastest 40 time for an offensive lineman (4.94)
-Does a excellent job pulling and trapping.  Uses athletic ability to attack defenders in space.
-Uses good quickness to fire off the ball and attack defensive lineman
-Active feet that never stop
-Finishes blocks.  Plays through the whistle
-Displays that nasty demeanor you love from a guard
-Uses good technique to get the job done.
-Good conditioning.  Isn't going to wear down over the course of a game
-Very coachable.  Takes stuff like a sponge
-Good linage.  Brother and father both play(ed) in the NFL

Weaknesses
-Shorter arms than you'd want from a tackle (33")
-Left Florida State because of off the field issues
-Needs to get stronger.  Lacks a strong anchor
-Inexperienced.  Started college career as a baseball player
-Was moved from tackle to guard because of struggles

Summary
Kyle Long is one of the  most intriguing prospects in this draft.  Long has the length and athletic ability that you need to play Left Tackle in the NFL.  However is best suited to play guard because he doesn't have the longest arms and has struggled to mirror defenders which caused Oregon to move him inside to guard.  At guard he seemed more natural and uses his quickness and athletic ability to beat defenders and create a clean pocket and open up running lanes.  Long also had surprisingly good technique for somebody with less experience and used that technique to take defenders out of the play.  Oregon also took advantage of that and pulled Long on a consistent basis.  Long does a great job of getting out and finding defenders in the open field and making good contact with them.  Look for whatever NFL team lands him to do much the same.  The biggest draw back to Kyle Long is his lack of overall strength.  But he should get stronger since he is still developing.  Look for Kyle to be drafted somewhere in the early 2nd round, but it may not be a shock to see him go in the late 1st if a team feels they can move him outside to tackle.  However Kyle's best fit may be in a zone blocking scheme that could take advantage of his athletic ability.