Da Bear Cast Blog

Here are the Bears picks from the 2008 NFL Draft. Let us hear your thoughts.

1 14(14) Chris Williams OT VANDERBILT
Our first reaction is surprise because the Bears didn’t take Branden Albert, whom we think is a higher-rated prospect, or Jeff Otah, who is a good fit for the Bears’ scheme. In addition, Williams is a far better pass-blocker than run-blocker, and there are questions about whether or not he’s tough enough to improve in that area. On the other hand, the Bears can move John Tait to right tackle and play Williams on the left side, where he has the athletic ability and initial quickness to hold up in pass protection.

2 13(44) Matt Forte RB TULANE
This is a minor reach in our opinion. Forte is an instinctive runner who does a good job locating seams between the tackles and excels at picking up yards after contact. Also, he catches the ball well and is the best pass-blocker of all the running backs in this draft. However, he’s faster than he is quick, so he’ll have some problems turning the corner and he won’t break a lot of long runs in the NFL.

3 7(70) Earl Bennett WR VANDERBILT
From San Francisco
Bennett doesn’t have the explosiveness to consistently separate from man coverage and he isn’t a big-play threat after the catch. But he reads defenses pretty well, can make catches in traffic and is a crisp route-runner. He’s a tough player and has no qualms about going over the middle.

3 27(90) Marcus Harrison DT ARKANSAS
From San Diego
Harrison is a bit of an enigma. Although he weighs 317 pounds, he doesn’t have great lower-body strength and he takes too long to shed blocks, so he isn’t a great interior run-stuffer. However, he has good quickness for his size and he shows good lateral ability scraping down the line of scrimmage.

4 21(120) Craig Steltz S LSU
From Tampa Bay
Steltz does not have great speed, but he is a playmaker who jumps underneath routes. He is very good in run support and is a good blitzer when called upon.

5 7(142) Zack Bowman CB NEBRASKA
From Carolina
Bowman missed all of 2006 and started just four games last year, which makes him difficult to evaluate. He is a developmental prospect who has to work on his footwork. But there is a lot to like about his blend of size and speed.

5 23(158) Kellen Davis TE MICHIGAN STATE
From Seattle through Jacksonville and Tampa Bay
Davis should be a better blocker for his size and isn’t a crisp route-runner. There is no doubt he has awesome potential. He is fast enough to chase balls down, has the wide frame to develop into a red-zone target and is big enough to emerge as a quality blocker.

7 1(208) Ervin Baldwin DE MICHIGAN STATE
From Miami
Baldwin is coming off a breakout season and he is at his best making plays in the backfield, whether it’s against the run or rushing the passer. On the flip side, he needs to improve his ability to hold his ground when teams run at him.

7 15(222) Chester Adams OG GEORGIA
Adams doesn’t play as big as his size suggests; he doesn’t show a powerful punch or great lower-body strength. However, he moves well for his size so he can get into position and he flashes the ability to sustain.

7 36(243) Joey LaRocque OLB OREGON STATE
He’s a tough, instinctive outside linebacker who was very productive late in his career. He struggled with a hamstring injury during the pre-draft process, but he probably wouldn’t have run much better than he did at the combine anyway. He lacks functional speed and is a marginal athlete.

7 40(247) Kirk Barton OT OHIO STATE
Barton is very tough and experienced. He almost always finds a way to get the job done. The problem is that his athletic deficiencies are going to show up at the NFL level.

7 41(248) Marcus Monk WR ARKANSAS
He has great size and ran better than expected at the combine. Monk is a high-character guy who works hard. He’s not shifty or explosive so he’s going to have some problem getting separation.