Chicago Bears Draft Review

1st Round, Pick #29: Gabe Carimi (OT Wisconsin)

Chicago had a huge need on the offensive line and, Gabe Carimi was one of the top players on the Bears board so they were shocked and excited to see him available at 29. They tried to work out a deal with Baltimore to move ahead of Kansas City to take him, the trade fell through, but the Bears were still able to get him. Carimi will come in, and immediately upgrade their offense line. He'll be penciled in at right tackle while they try out J'Marcus Webb at the left side. Carimi has the skills to be an elite right tackle, or after some developing he could slide over to the left side. But no matter what, the Bears got one of the best players at the tackle position while filling a huge need

Grade- A+

2nd Round, Pick #53: Stephen Paea (DT Oregon State)

With the Bears cutting Tommie Harris they opened up a big hole at defensive tackle. Marvin Austin was thought to be a guy that they were targeting, but in reality they wanted Stephen Paea all along. So much that they would have spent their 1st round pick on him if Carimi wasn't available. With him available in the middle of the second the Bears felt the need to package their 4th round pick to trade up and get him. Paea is still raw (has only played 5 years of organized football) but has the elite first step quickness and motor that is needed for 3 technique defensive tackles in the Cover 2 defense. Paea should be able to come in right away and challenge for a spot at either tackle spot.

Grade- A

3rd Round, Pick #93: Chris Conte (S California)

At first the selection of Chris Conte in the 3rd round is a head scratcher. Who is this Chris Conte guy? Why did they spend a 3rd round pick on a guy nobody really knows about? But when you look closer you see a guy who works his butt off, is a good tackler, and is still learning a new position. Chicago probably could have gotten him in the 4th round, but since they traded that pick to get Paea they didn't want to risk the chance of missing on him. Conte (First Team all Pac 10 last year) played his first three years at Cal as a reserve cornerback playing in every game. Then they moved him to safety his senior year were he blossomed. With the potential departure of Daniel Manning the Bears felt the need to gain some safety depth and grabbed up the up and coming Conte whose skills should translate well to the Cover 2 where he'll be asked to play zone coverage and help in the run game.

Grade- C

5th Round, Pick #160: Nate Enderle (QB Idaho)

This pick is very tough for me to grade, as I really like Nate Enderle as a prospect, but to spend a 5th round pick on a project QB while your Offensive Line is in shambles doesn't make a whole lot of sense. They could have taken one of the Guard prospect who were available like Demarcus Love who really would have competed for a starting job, while Enderle really has not shot of seeing the field anytime soon, unless Cutler can't recover from his very very serious injury last season.

Grade- C-

6th Round, Pick #195: JT Thomas (LB West Virginia)

Thomas has the prototypical size and skills of a Cover 2 linebacker. JT Thomas gets the job done with speed and quickness rather than taking on blockers. He has good lateral movement and gets to the ball in a hurry. Thomas will have a chance to come in and compete with Nick Roach for the strongside linebacker spot, but at worse he'll be looked to provide depth behind Lance Briggs and contribute on special teams.

Grade- B