The 2018 season is almost at an end, so it feels like a good time to test the waters on how the latest NFL draft class performed in its first year. As always there were bright stars, big disappointments, and more than a few surprises. For the Chicago Bears rookie class, it was hoped that the wide range of optimism from the national media about their biggest moves last April would hold true.
Internally, the team can’t be dissatisfied. First round pick Roquan Smith became the starter at inside linebacker and ended the season two tackles shy of the team rookie record and five sacks. He was a Pro Bowl alternate. Second round guard James Daniels became a starter and did not allow a sack all year. Second round receiver Anthony Miller caught seven touchdown passes despite playing most of the season with an injured shoulder.
So what of those outside the Bears bubble? Do they agree the Bears picks ended up being good? ESPN provided an answer when they conducted a full re-drafting of the first two rounds with their entire team-based staff to see which names ended up in different places. Long story short? Chicago nailed it.
Chicago Bears rookie class was indeed a hit in terms of overall value
The breakdown is simple. Despite the shuffling of new players into the top of the draft, Chicago still managed to end up with Smith at #8 overall. Jeff Dickerson had no qualms about scooping up the kid a second time.
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“Smith is still the choice. The Georgia product finished with a team-high 122 tackles — the second most tackles ever by a Bears rookie, behind only Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher.”
Where it gets fun is towards the end of the first round. Here is the most noticeable difference when Daniels goes at #30 overall to the Minnesota Vikings. Their writer Courtney Cronin explained that adding him would’ve solved two problems in one because it puts a good player at guard while allowing veteran Mike Remmers to play his natural position at right tackle. Daniels originally went 39th overall, so that’s a big jump.
So who did the Bears end up taking at #39? That would be Miller. Dickerson explained that the young receiver has a bright future in Chicago. Especially once he gets healthy. The Bears originally traded up to the #51 spot in a deal with New England to grab him. So that’s a sizable leap for him as well. In other words, the Bears secured players who either belonged exactly where they went or at spots far later than they should’ve gone.
That is quality drafting at its best.
