While the Bears didn’t pick until the 3rd Round, they got some valuable players. While they didn’t address the much maligned Offensive Line until the 7th, they did get players who could like Jerry Angelo said “Dress on Sundays”.
3rd Round: Major Wright, S, Florida
Pick Grade: A
This was a solid pick. The Bears had a major void at FS, and Wright will fillthat void. He’s got great straight line speed, loves to hit, and he’s tough. Instinctive safety who’s terrific against the run with good range, ball skills and hands. However, he’s stiff and he’s not good in man coverage, he’s stiff and his coverage skills aren’t great. He’s a great leader, and Lovie Smith called him the “Tim Tebow” of the Defense. Ever since Mike Brown left, the Bears haven’t had a leader in their secondary, and Wright can be just that.
4th Round: Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern
Pick Grade: A
The Bears took a local kid in Wootton to help their D-Line. He was a projected 1st-2nd round pick, but he tore his ACL as a junior and he never fully recovered, dropping his draft stock. He’s not a prototypical Bears pass rusher at 6’6, 270, but he was too talented for the Bears to pass up on. While Wootton isn’t a great pass rusher and he could add some weight, he has a great motor, he’s strong and powerful, has a fine bull rush, and he disrupts passing lanes.
With Alex Brown’s release, Mark Anderson and Isreal Idonije were the starters at Left End, which is Wotton’s best fit on the Defensive Line. Wherever Wotton and Peppers play on the D-Line, they’ll be a great duo or if you add Mark Anderson a fine trio.
5th Round: Joshua Moore, CB, Kansas State
Pick Grade: C
Who? Moore was a starting CB for the Kansas State Wildcats, registering 64 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 2 INTs, and 4.5 TFLs. He’s 5’11, 188 lbs, and with his frail frame he needs to add bulk. He’s got good top-end speed and he’s a willing tackler. His man skills are decent, but his footwork needs improvement and he takes poor angles when in the open field. I would’ve liked Perrish Cox as the pick, but the Broncos took him 4 picks earlier.
6th Round: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
Pick Grade: B
QB controversy in Chi Town? No way, but LeFevour is a good QB. While this is a controversial pick, the Bears felt that he was too talented and too much value to pass up on. The Bears needed a backup to Cutler, and LeFevour can be that. However, he’ll likely be the 3rd QB this season behind Hanie and Cutler this season where he’ll learn the NFL offense. LeFevour is an athletic 6’3 QB who can buy time with his feet and tuck the ball and run. He’s got good accuracy and he makes mostly good decisions, he’ll get rid of the ball in a hurry, he can throw on the run, he loves the game of football and he’s a hard worker, and he’s smart.
However, he doesn’t have a very strong arm, his mechanics and throwing motion need work, his footwork is bad, his pocket presence needs improvement, and he needs to learn to read coverages and go through his progressions (1st option, 2nd option, 3rd option, etc.). Scouts have said that he’s basically a lesser known Tim Tebow, which I agree with as well.
7th Round: J’Marcus Webb, OT, West Texas A&M
Pick Grade: C
Webb is a mammoth OT at 6’8, 328 pounds. He was a big recruit for Texas until he transferred to a JUCO school and to West Texas A&M for what he says was for “personal reasons”. Webb has good athleticism despite his big frame and he’s a good run blocker. But he’s a project like most small school players but he has the tools to be a solid OT in the NFL. His work ethic and intelligence are big issues. Mike Tice worked him out, and he knocked out one of his teeth when Tice was holding a blocking shield, and Webb hit him so hard he lost a tooth. He’ll likely be put on the Practice Squad and be developed into hopefully a starting Right Tackle.
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