cowboyjoe
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Originally posted: January 29, 2009
Bears would be wise to pass on weak safety class
By Vaughn McClure
Last season, general manager Jerry Angelo called the group of safety prospects "anemic" as the Bears prepared for the draft. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock would echo that sentiment for this year’s class.
"It’s a similar group,’’ he said. "There aren’t any Top-10 picks. Basically what you’re looking at is late first round as a possibility, but most of these kids will fit in the second and third rounds.’’
Missouri’s William Moore (6-0, 228) is the most talented but Mayock is intrigued by Alabama’s Rashad Johnson (6-0, 187), Western Michigan’s Louis Delmas (5-11, 196), and Clemson’s Michael Hamlim (6-2, 207). All participated in the Senior Bowl.
"The biggest disappointment for me was William Moore,’’ Mayock said. "He had a Top-20 grade from almost every NFL team heading into his senior season. He's a big, physical tough guy who has first-round value. But you could probably get him in the second round this year. He’s going to be a boom or bust.’’
Mayock rates Johnson and Delmas as solid, second-round picks. They both play free safety, and the Bears need a replacement for departing veteran Mike Brown. Danieal Manning is likely to remain at nickel back as he continues to be the primary kick returner. And Craig Steltz, a fourth-round pick last season, is viewed more as a special-teams contributor than a starting safety.
"Delmas and Johnson are tough, smart kids," Mayock said. "I like them a lot. Hamlin plays free safety, too. Patrick Chung from Oregon also had a good week at the Senior Bowl, but he’s more of a strong safety."
The Bears selected safeties Brown (2000) and Manning (’06) in the second round. Maybe they are on track to do the same this year.
Friday: Mayock dissects the defensive ends.
Originally posted: January 29, 2009
Bears would be wise to pass on weak safety class
By Vaughn McClure
Last season, general manager Jerry Angelo called the group of safety prospects "anemic" as the Bears prepared for the draft. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock would echo that sentiment for this year’s class.
"It’s a similar group,’’ he said. "There aren’t any Top-10 picks. Basically what you’re looking at is late first round as a possibility, but most of these kids will fit in the second and third rounds.’’
Missouri’s William Moore (6-0, 228) is the most talented but Mayock is intrigued by Alabama’s Rashad Johnson (6-0, 187), Western Michigan’s Louis Delmas (5-11, 196), and Clemson’s Michael Hamlim (6-2, 207). All participated in the Senior Bowl.
"The biggest disappointment for me was William Moore,’’ Mayock said. "He had a Top-20 grade from almost every NFL team heading into his senior season. He's a big, physical tough guy who has first-round value. But you could probably get him in the second round this year. He’s going to be a boom or bust.’’
Mayock rates Johnson and Delmas as solid, second-round picks. They both play free safety, and the Bears need a replacement for departing veteran Mike Brown. Danieal Manning is likely to remain at nickel back as he continues to be the primary kick returner. And Craig Steltz, a fourth-round pick last season, is viewed more as a special-teams contributor than a starting safety.
"Delmas and Johnson are tough, smart kids," Mayock said. "I like them a lot. Hamlin plays free safety, too. Patrick Chung from Oregon also had a good week at the Senior Bowl, but he’s more of a strong safety."
The Bears selected safeties Brown (2000) and Manning (’06) in the second round. Maybe they are on track to do the same this year.
Friday: Mayock dissects the defensive ends.
