It may seem like a futile attempt given how hard the NFL transition is to predict, but grading rookie classes does serve a purpose. It offers an idea of how difficult it truly is to determine who the good players really are. That’s why the Chicago Bears draft and undrafted free agency classes will receiver their own report card here.
One note before continuing? This grade sheet will not involve outside factors. Namely the trades that led to the Bears not having 1st or 2nd round choices. This is strictly focused on the players they got and nothing else in order to determine whether they reached or got value.
Did GM Ryan Pace deliver another good class or did he fail to avoid the feared stumble?
3rd round: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
Is he better than Jordan Howard? There’s no way to know until he sees the field. The question that should be asked is whether he’s more skilled than the former Bears back. The answer is yes. Montgomery keeps all of the Howard traits like power, vision, and ability to shake tacklers and adds a degree of quickness and pass-catching ability he was missing.
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Grade: B+
4th round: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
Several experts stated that they were genuinely shocked that Ridley lasted all the way to the 4th round. He’s considered to be one of the best route runners in the class and it shows on tape. He takes his craft seriously and has the size and good hands to help him along the way. Getting that sort of value is why Pace has so much success in the middle rounds.
Grade: A
6th round: Duke Shelley, CB, K-State
Buster Skrine was brought in to replace Bryce Callahan, but he’s already 30-years old. So his time is limited. The Bears needed somebody in the pipeline for long-term at slot corner and they found their guy. Shelley is undersized at 5’9 but highly competitive in coverage, plays physical and has a nose for the ball. It may be an adjustment period for him though.
Grade: C+
7th round: Kerrith Whyte, RB, FAU
In typical Pace fashion, the Bears GM fixed a roster weakness by attacking it in waves. He added Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency to fill the kick returner position. Then he ensured its security by snagging the speedy Whyte late in the draft. He may never be a starter on offense, but the kid is dangerous with the ball in his hands. A weapon.
Grade: B
7th round: Stephen Denmark, CB, Valdosta State
Denmark didn’t start playing cornerback until 2018. That’s for real. So for him to still deliver three interceptions in his first ever season playing it? That’s impressive. Throw in the fact he’s 6’2 with 4.4 speed and he has all the hallmarks of a project player with huge upside. It comes down to the Bears coaching staff to bring it out of him.
Grade: B
Undrafted class:
- Blake Blackmar (OG, Baylor)
- Mathieu Betts (OLB, Laval)
- Ellis Richardson (TE, Georgia Southern)
- Emanuel Hall (WR, Missouri)
- John Barron (K, San Diego State)
- Jonathan Harris (DL, Lindenwood)
- Chuck Harris (DE, Buffalo)
- Thomas Ives (WR, Colgate)
- John Wirtel (LS, Kansas)
- Alex Bars (OG, Notre Dame)
- Sam Mustipher (OG, Notre Dame)
- Marquez Tucker (OL, Southern Utah)
- Clifton Duck (CB, Appalachian State)
- Lawrence Marshall (DL, Michigan)
- Joe Lowery (OL, Ohio)
- Dax Raymond (TE, Utah State)
- Jordan Powell (S, Widener)
- Joshua Simmons (DB, Limestone)
- Dylan Carrol (DE, Grand Valley State)
- Ian Bunting (TE, Cal)
- Adarius Pickett (S, UCLA)
Gil Brandt, who will be entering the Hall of Fame this year for his long career as a scout and executive for the Dallas Cowboys, listed the top undrafted free agents after the draft concluded. Based on his list, the Bears have now signed the #1 wide receiver (Hall), #1 tight end (Raymond), #6 interior offensive lineman (Bars), and #2 kicker (Barron) on the market.
That seems rather good. Hall was one of the best deep threats in the 2019 class with 4.39 speed. Raymond is a 6’5 target with great route running prowess. Bars is a big and nasty guard from Notre Dame, a product of Bears OL coach Harry Hiestand. Baron connected on over 83% of his kicks in college with a long of 54.
They’re not the only intriguing ones though. Mathieu Betts, a native of Canada, had 35.5 sacks in college. Clifton Duck had 13 interceptions in college. Chuck Harris comes from the same school that produced Khalil Mack and shows similar pass rush traits. This is a big, talented group.
Grade: A
