2003 Draft

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

The Bears addressed all major needs except quarterback in this draft.   However, that was a big whiff.  Not getting a quarterback dropped the Bears' score from B+ to B.  In fact, while for the most part I like players the Bears selected, their B is based on some opportunity costs.  I believe they could have done a bit better if they went for a quarterback in round four.  On the plus side, Matt Forte is going to be looked at as one of the best gets in this draft.  He will be a top running back in the NFL sooner rather than later.  The Bears also got excellent value on hit-or-miss prospect Kellen Davis in round five.  While I didn't understand some of their seventh round selections, Barton was a steal in that round. 

DRAFT PICKS

Williams was the right pick in round one.  He is a quality left tackle prospect who will quietly get the job done at a high level for years and years.

Forte was one of my favorite player in the draft.  I'm on record early that I didn't like Benson when he was selected and thought Thomas Jones was the better option.  I like Forte better than both of those runners.  He is tough, has deceptive speed, makes good cuts in thye hole, and can catch.  What more could you could ask for?

Bennett is a solid player but I like Hawkins and Caldwell better.  Much better.  This could be a missed opportunity.  Not that Bennett won't be a contributor, but that the other two (especially Hawkins) could outplay him.  Bennett has good hand, decent speed and some quickness, but is only an average athlete.

Harrison is a big kid with good measureables and good production.  Past knee problems and off the field issues caused him to fall to this spot in the draft.  He is a talented kid who can develop into a very good run-stuffing starter.

I like Steltz.  He is quick and smart and has a nose for the ball.  However, this is where I would have grabbed quarterback John David Booty.  He is NFL-ready and could have been an option this year.  As a fourth round pick if he peaked at as a long-term quality backup, that would have been fine.  In addition, strong safety Barrett is a player I liked more than most (and more than Steltz), and he would have been available for the Bears with either of their first two picks in round seven.  In addition, safeties Roach and Silva went undrafted and were better values than all players drafted by the Bears in round seven except Barton. 

Bowman has the potential to develop into a quality cornerback.  He has good size and is more fast than quick so is better on the outside than lining up against quick slot receivers.  He also has good return skills, but that may not be seen with the Bears.

Tight end Kellen Davis was an excellent fifth round pick.  He is a big target, has the speed to get deep and has good athleticism.  So why wasn't he drafted higher?  He never put it all together to become the dominate player his skill set dictated he should.  With Greg Olsen on hand, Davis will not have to be counted on as a starter.  However, he could provide them with a very intriguing two tight end offense since he has the speed to split wide, and could give them a big goal line target.

Baldwin was not a player on my radar.  He could develop into a situational pass rusher.  He could not.  He looks like a practice squad candidate.

Adams played tackle in college but will kick inside to guard for the Bears.  He had durability problems in college and is another practice squad candidate.

After being drafted by Chicago, I took a second look at LaRocque and liked what I saw.  I think this kid has a chance to make the team and develop into a quality special teams player and backup linebacker.  He has good speed, is quick and athletic and was very productive at Oregon State both making plays (tackles) and, at times, rushing the passer (sacks).

Barton was a steal in the seventh round.  He is athletic, quick, and four year starter in a top program at Ohio State.  He is a bit stiff at times, but, worst case, he will be a quality backup.  A great pick by the Bears.

Monk has good size and speed as is an ideal practice squad candidate.  He isn't ready now, but could be in a couple of years.  A player I liked a lot who went undrafted and may have a bit more upside than Monk was Jabari Arthur.  He isn't as fast but has good size, great hands and appears to be a natural at the position.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Hill could push for a roster spot.  He completed over 70% of his passes his senior year.  He is a good rhythm passer but needs work on his delivery and technique.  He is also better in the short and medium zones than throwing the bomb.

Clermond proved to be less athletic in workouts than he appeared to be on film.  However, he made plays both against the run and rushing the passer at Pittsburgh and is worth a shot as a free agent.

Longest was one of my top five kickers in the draft but will be showcasing for other teams with Gould on board for the Bears.

Majors is an example of a player who is too small, just not quite fast enough, just not quite quick enough, not just quite athletic enough, who finds a way to get it done.  He may be the type of player who will give coaches confidence he can fill in if okay if he needs to be activated from the practice squad.