The Bears finished off their 2008 Draft with a nice crop of 12 players at positions of need. In the later rounds, they did take some chances on guys that could bring high reward. Among them were TE Kellen Davis from Michigan St, who at 6'6 1/2"/262 lb could provide a red-zone threat for the Bears at 3rd string tight end; as well as WR Marcus Monk from Arkansas who could challenge for a roster spot. This draft saw many big-name college players go to teams that could potentially have a spot for them.
Among the QB prospects, there were many big names who are expected to push their way into starting jobs in 2008, as well as many project prospects who will try to make the team in camp. In the early rounds, many top tier players went to teams where they were needed. Matt Ryan, the top QB in the draft, went to the Atlanta Falcons 3rd overall. Joe Flacco was also picked in the first round by the Ravens. In the second round, the other two top tier guys were picked up, with Brian Brohm going to Green Bay to challenge Aaron Rodgers the heir to Favre's job, while Chad Henne was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. In the later rounds, Pittsburgh (who had a nice draft of big-name players) picked 2007 Heisman contender Dennis Dixon, the Giants got Andre Woodson to try and back-up Eli Manning, and Washington chose Hawaii's Colt Brennan and his big-time arm.
On the RB side of things, the loaded class seemed to go in order. Al Davis couldn't pass up on Darren McFadden at #4, while Jerry Jones took the other Arkansas back, Felix Jones, at #22 in the first round. Pittsburgh used their first-rounder on power-back speedster Rashard Mendenhall to be the ying to Willie Parker's yang. The second round RBs started with the Bears' pick of Matt Forte out of Tulane, and the rest of the backs filed out from there; names like Rice, Charles, Slaton, and Hart were all chosen to be given a shot in the NFL-ranks.
The second round might as well be renamed the round of the wide receivers, as most of the elite ones went there. Washington picked up both Devin Thomas and Malcom Kelly in that round, while Pittsburgh (one round after bringing in another top RB) brought in another WR in Limas Sweed to complement Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Donovan McNabb's team also got him California speedster DeSean Jackson, as well. In round 3, the Bears picked up Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett to try and bolster their thin receiving corps.
Other teams did a great job just by bringing in some big, NCAA star power. The Kansas City Chiefs used their top picks to draft Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and Jamaal Charles, who can all probably contribute right away. The Steelers got three big names in Mendenhall, Sweed, and Dixon, while the Washington Redskins got three receivers in Devin Thomas, Fred Davis, and Malcom Kelly, along with Brennan's arm to throw to them all. The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, shored up three positions of need with big-name guys: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at CB, Calais Campbell at DE, and LSU's Early Doucet to bolster their Pro-Bowl receiving corps.
Overall, this was a pretty good draft, deep in prospects that can contribute on many NFL teams starting next year. The Bears, for one, shored up many areas of need. They got their young Offensive Tackle to protect the QB, and try and create more space for the running game. They picked up another RB to shore up a weak running game, and they drafted a WR to try and make-up for the losses of Berrian and Moose. Only the games will tell how smart each of these picks was, but by first look they aren't bad. Sure, they could have done some things differently (tried to get Mendenhall, drafted a QB somewhere?!...)but bottom line is they took care of the places they needed to, they took some gambles late like you should, and hopefully it will all payoff.
Here is Mel Kiper Jr.'s review of the Bears draft; very reassuring. Check out ESPN.com's coverage of the draft.
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