Pixote Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Draft dish: Locking the Bears into a receiver in the 2nd round Interesting perspective on WRs that might be available in round 2: Earlier this week it looked like the Bears were in a position where they had to draft an offensive tackle in the first round. What a difference a few days makes. Not only do the Bears not have a first-round pick any longer after acquiring quarterback Jay Cutler from Denver, they filled a pressing need on the line by signing seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace. That leaves the Bears with a complete line, minus a young tackle to eventually join Chris Williams in the starting lineup, and some flexibility when it comes to the draft, right? Wrong. The addition of Cutler has made it a virtual lock the Bears will have to draft a wide receiver when their pick comes up in the second round, 49th overall, the 17th pick of the round. The idea that Cutler will make the cast they currently have better is only going to go so far. There is no Brandon Marshall on this roster. There might not be an Eddie Royal on the roster either depending on how Devin Hester progresses. Marshall and Royal gave Cutler one of the better 1-2 combinations in the league in Denver. "I don't think quarterbacks make receivers, and I don't think receivers make the quarterback,'' Cutler said. "It's a joint mesh there, we've got to both be on the same page. I've got to deliver the ball and they've got to be in the right place. I can't do it without them, and they can't do it without me." Cutler did the right thing in praising the receivers, rattling off Hester's name and going down the list with Earl Bennett and Rashied Davis, mentioning tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark and keeping running back Matt Forte in the conversation. He's not going to throw for 4,526 yards again with the running back leading the team in receptions, however. Also on the roster at receiver are John Broussard, Brandon Rideau and Devin Aromashodu. General manager Jerry Angelo and college scouting director Greg Gabriel can talk about the possibilities with the No. 49 pick all day--and they will leading up to the draft--but they've also hung a ``Help Wanted'' sign in front of Halas Hall for a wideout. The good thing is there is some depth at the position in this draft. If things fall just right, they could have their choice of a number of talented receivers. The key is finding the Royal in the bunch, not the Mark Bradley. Ten wideouts were drafted in the second round last year. Three made impacts. 33--Donnie Avery, St. Louis 34--Devin Thomas, Washington 36--Jordy Nelson, Green Bay 41--James Hardy, Buffalo 42--Eddie Royal, Denver 46--Jerome Simpson, Cincinnati 49--DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia 51--Malcolm Kelly, Washington 53--Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh 58--Dexter Jackson, Tampa Bay For the sake of a more complete look at what could be available, let's show the previous four years as well when a combined total of 14 receivers went in the second round: 2007 44--Sidney Rice, Minnesota 45--Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina 51--Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants 2006 36--Chad Jackson, New England 44--Sinorice Moss, N.Y. Giants 52--Greg Jennings, Green Bay 2005 35--Reggie Brown, Philadelphia 39--Mark Bradley, Bears 55--Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo 58--Terrence Murphy, Green Bay 61--Vincent Jackson, San Diego 2004 50--Devery Henderson, New Orleans 54--Darius Watts, Denver 62--Keary Colbert, Carolina If the Bears can find a Donnie Avery, Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson, Greg Jennings or Vincent Jackson, it will be a success. That is five impact players out of 24. So, let's take a look at what players could be available when the pick rolls around. There is going to be plenty of draft to watch on April 25 before the Bears go on the clock, barring the second trade up by Angelo in eight years. Kenny Britt, Rutgers, 6-3, 218 pounds. The skinny: Britt is a big target who has been clocked fastest at about 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He was wildly productive for the Scarlet Knights but the competition in the Big East isn't the best. He could make an impact quickly as a possession guy with the size to give defensive backs problems. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner showed up at the Rutgers pro day. The chance: Britt will likely be off the board well before the Bears select. He could go in the second half of the first round. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma, 6-1, 210. The skinny: Ran a 4.5-second 40 at the combine and reportedly did well with his route running at his pro day. He's a tough performer who will go over the middle and do the dirty work. Has a burst in short space. The Bears like players from big programs, especially OU, but Minnesota might be showing the most interest in Iglesias at this point UPDATED: The Bears will put Iglesias through a private workout on Tuesday, a day before he travels to Minnesota for a visit. So interest in him is rising. The chance: There is a good chance he will be available at No. 49. Will probably be in the discussion. Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia, 6-2, 210. The skinny: Boosted his stock with a strong senior season and then again when he was clocked between 4.47 and 4.53 seconds in the 40 at his pro day. Good leaper. Runs good routes. Was a two-time captain for the Bulldogs. The Bears are interested enough that wide receivers coach Darryl Drake will head in for a private workout next week. The chance: There is a good chance he will be available at No. 49. Will probably be in the discussion. Louis Murphy, Florida, 6-3, 203. The skinny: Murphy blazed through the 40 in 4.32 seconds at the combine and wisely chose to stand on that number at his pro day. He has the speed to be a dynamic vertical threat but there is some boom-or-bust factor written on him. Raw skills might make him worth a shot. The chance: There is a good chance he will be available at No. 49. Could be in the discussion. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, 6-1, 212. The skinny: Nicks is an explosive run-after-the-catch target who the Bears have shown great interest in with Gabriel attending the pro day and then Drake going in for a private workout. Nicks does a lot of things naturally and could thrive quickly at the next level. The chance: Slim. Nicks took a hit when he was out of shape at his pro day but he's still targeted for the middle to end of the first round. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State, 6-3, 209. The skinny: Might possess the best hands of the group. Allayed concerns about his speed by running a 4.5 40 at the combine and then had a 37.5-inch vertical jump. Comes from a big program and is considered a strong character guy. Upside is he is a No. 2 who catches everything in sight. Downside is he is a possession guy on third down who doesn't gain a lot of separation. The Bears are known to be looking into him. The chance: There is a good chance he will be available at No. 49. Will probably be in the discussion. Mike Wallace, Ole Miss, 6-1, 199. The skinny: Opened eyes with a hot 40 time at the combine, clocking in at 4.32 seconds. Has the speed to be a vertical threat and has a frame that he can fill out a little bit more. Definite risk/reward to this selection. The chance: There is a good chance he will be available at No. 49. Probably too early for him to come off the board. Derrick Williams, Penn State, 6-0, 194. The skinny: Will the real Derrick Williams please stand up. Ran a miserable 4.65 40 at the combine. Followed it up with a 4.37 at his pro day. Something isn't right here. Had solid career for Nittany Lions and possesses traits to be successful in NFL right away. Just not sure. The chance: There is a good chance he will be available at No. 49. Could be in the discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowlingtwig Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Draft dish: Locking the Bears into a receiver in the 2nd round Interesting perspective on WRs that might be available in round 2: Wow, what is up with Derrick Williams and the difference in his 40 times. Usually you don't see guys with that much of a difference between the combine and there pro day. I am wanting a guy who doesn't mind going over the middle and getting dirty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradjock Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Draft dish: Locking the Bears into a receiver in the 2nd round Interesting perspective on WRs that might be available in round 2: Great article Pix. We're lucky this is a deep draft for WR's where a few quality guys will be available will we pick in the 2nd round (although it still wouldn't surprise me if we went DE with our first pick.) Of the players from last year, one thing the most successful players had in common (Avery, Jackson & Royal) is that they all had damn good QB's getting them the ball. I'm still struggling with the realization that now we have a QB who can actually do that! As for who we take, my guess is we roll the dice a little bit and look for a guy with loads of talent who can stretch the field. Last season we went with more of a "safe" player in Earl Bennett. He has good hands, but he's not that big, that fast, or athletic. Louis Murphy is big, fast and athletic. I could see us taking him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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