Thread: What draft guides said before they were Bears

They do this every year, but it's always fun to see what was said about our guys. Especially a couple of the new ones this year. P.S. Sorry about the pics.What draft previews said about Bears

April 15, 2012 What draft guides said before they were Bears

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 4/15/2012 11:15 AM




Ever wonder what the draft publications were saying about future members of the Bears before they left their college campuses? We dusted off some old Pro Football Weekly draft guides, searched for familiar names and found out. Read the following capsules and see just how accurate they were.

Brian Urlacher, LB, New Mexico
First round, 2000 (9th overall)
"Terrific all-around athlete with outstanding stamina and endurance. Big, strong, fast and agile. Tough and instinctive with outstanding intangibles. Top competitor. Extremely versatile. Has the best hands on the team and is his team's best special teams player and tackler. Was impressive at the combine and was the only one of the potential lottery picks to do all the drills. Would appear to be best suited to be an outside 'backer."

Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina
First round, 2002 (2nd overall by Carolina Panthers)
“Prototype size and speed and really looks the part. Has very long arms and the wingspan of a 747. Flashes outstanding natural pass-rush talent coming off the edge and is starting to learn how to counter inside. Has tremendous athletic ability and upside. If he ever puts it all together, Peppers can be a great pro and true impact player—the type who leads the league in sacks and passes batted down and who can also play the run.”

Charles Tillman, CB, La. Lafayette
Second round, 2003 (35th overall)
"Big, durable corner with very good size, adequate speed, good hands and range. Better when playing in a trail position. Good tackler who plays the run well. Leader with good character. Has tight hips for a cornerback and marginal football intelligence. Is an average hitter who can lack body control. Experienced, versatile corner who could fit in a cover-2 scheme and has a lot of upside."

Lance Briggs, LB, Arizona
Third round, 2003 (68th overall)
"Productive three-year starter with good intangibles. Hustles and plays hard. Has good speed and range. Has some ability to take on blockers and is good at slipping off them. There are teams who like Briggs as high as the second round, but question his toughness because he seems unwilling to take on blocks. Good enough to make a team and contribute, but might never provide what teams are looking for in a starter."

Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
First round, 2006 (11th overall by Denver Broncos)
“Has good size, strength and athletic ability and looks every bit the part. Has a cannon of an arm that allows him to improvise and get out of trouble. Throws a tight spiral, generates great velocity on his ball and can drill the deep out. Relies too much on his big arm and throws off his back foot when he does not have to. Has all the physical tools teams look for in a quarterback, and almost all of his flaws are correctable.”

Devin Hester, RS/WR, Miami
Second round, 2006 (57th overall)
“Has exceptional burst, balance and gear change to blow past defenders and create with the ball in his hands. Is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Very fluid and naturally athletic with smooth hips. Has been a difference maker on special teams and can change the outcome of a game. One of the fastest players in the country."

Brandon Marshall, WR, Central Florida
Third round, 2006 (119th overall by Denver Broncos)
"Has a big, physical frame and can go up high and sky for the ball. Has long arms and gives quarterbacks a big target Uses his body well to shield defenders and secure the ball. Can extend high and snag it with natural hands. Can be very physically imposing and provide match-up problems for a defense Ideal West Coast receiver with striking similarities to 49ers 1996 third-rounder Terrell Owens and ought to be drafted in the same place. "

Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
Second round, 2008 (44th overall)
"Runs hard between the tackles and follows his blocks. Shows good feet to sidestep the first defender and make a tackler miss in the hole. Runs decisively and can drop his pads and drive through arm tackles. Always falls forward. Is surprisingly light on his feet for his size. Good instincts and feel for the game. Reliable hands. Willing blocker. Great work ethic. Tough and competitive. A big, strong, hard-charging, upright, one-cut runner."

Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Third round, 2008 (70th overall)
"Shows good short-area quickness. Has very good hands and shows great concentration in traffic. Makes some difficult, acrobatic catches. Shows good body control and ball skills. Does not play fast or come off the line with explosion. Has continually produced with an average supporting cast and shows the strength, quickness and run instincts to be effective after the catch. Would fit best in a West Coast offense working underneath zones."

Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian
Fifth round, 2009 (140th overall)
"Is quick off the line and into his routes and can sink his hips and accelerate out of breaks. Excellent timed speed and outstanding play speed. Shows the ability to separate. Very good concentration and body control to adjust to the off-line throw. Carries a swagger and the game is not too big for him. Has a narrow build and is not strong on contact. Average return skills. Should make a team as a slot receiver and contribute."