Thread: ESPN draft grade on the Bears 2008 draft

I'll give you my viwpoint on it. I wouldn't grade this draft above a C unless CWill actually does turn into an outstanding starting LT and here's why.

If we'd have spent a later choice(s) or a 2009 and moved up only three spots we could have had our franchise LT in Ryan Clady and any discussions about where CWill ends up would be moot. So JA reaches out of need and passes up on others who may have helped even more.

I don't dismiss the Forte pick at all but had we given up mid and late round choices we may have missed out on Bennet or Harrison (gladly) and gotten Clady instead. I hope he doesn't do that again this draft.

I'm ok if CW develops into a good guard, especially with Webb being a great find in the 7th round, that is a great find that doesn't happen often. Sometimes it takes time for players to develop, everyone wants a superstar in year 1 (i.e. Hester), but thats fairly rare and some things take time. Bowman was a 5th rounder, I don't expect much, you are lucky to get 1 starter from rounds 5 to 7. Marcus was a bad pick which was surprising because I thought he would develop into a solid player.

Originally Posted by JustWinBaby

I'm ok if CW develops into a good guard, especially with Webb being a great find in the 7th round, that is a great find that doesn't happen often. Sometimes it takes time for players to develop, everyone wants a superstar in year 1 (i.e. Hester), but thats fairly rare and some things take time. Bowman was a 5th rounder, I don't expect much, you are lucky to get 1 starter from rounds 5 to 7. Marcus was a bad pick which was surprising because I thought he would develop into a solid player.

CWill better develop into a great guard then based on how high we drafted him. Few if any OG's ever go that high unless they have can't miss stamped all over their foreheads. I'm also a huge J'Marcus Webb fan but we still don't know just how good he can be. He may turn out to be the steal of the draft or he may peak this coming year and be nothing more than a decent RT.

Harrison is a huge disappointment for a guy who had 1st round potential. Seems to be another in that draft (CWill is the other) where we ignored what many others seemed to know. Bowman is another who has potential but as injuries inhibited his college career so have they at this level as well. I haven't totally given up on him but when you lose your starting position to a 5'8" DB who we signed as a nickel back you have to wonder whether or not he'll ever be able to hold down a starting spot. But when he's on his game he's an interception machine so he gets off the hook for another year.

The gist of it is that JA has been a mediocre (rated C) GM as far as the draft has been concerned but he's saved his ass more than once through FA and with the Cutler trade.