Take away Vanderbilt, and much of the mystery surrounding the Bears’ rookie class would be taken away too.
But the incomplete, disappointing first seasons of former Commodores Chris Williams and Earl Bennett make it impossible to draw conclusions about this batch of Bears rookies. Perhaps it will take three years to form them, as NFL types suggest. But Week 16 is a fair time to measure the impact of the seven players the Bears took in the first five rounds last April against their expectations on draft day.
Chris Williams
OT, first round, 14th pick overall
Impact: None. Back surgery in August reduced the projected starter’s season to filling in on special teams and taking mental notes. A cameo role at end of the Packers loss was forgettable, fitting for the disappointment Williams’ rookie year has been.
What they said on draft day: “Our No. 1 need was left tackle,” general manager Jerry Angelo said. “It was just a matter of taking the player with the best history at the position and the player we knew the best. We probably shot fewer holes in him than we did the others, so in the end we felt he was the best player for us.”
Best of next 10 players taken: Gosder Cherilus (17) already looks established at right tackle for the Lions, and the Panthers rave about Jeff Otah (19th).
Future: The Bears need to pencil in Williams as the starting left tackle for 2009 the day after this season ends. Based on positive reports about Williams’ work ethic and athleticism, an off-season in the weight room and on the practice field should help him upgrade the position.
Matt Forte
RB, second round, 44th
Impact: Versatility that was obvious from Day 1 made Forte the team’s offensive MVP and allowed him to enjoy a historic season. There are more spectacular runners in a great rookie class but none as solid in every phase of the game.
What they said on draft day: “He gives us a big back, a three-down back. He has enough speed to get to the outside, and he has the ability to make people miss at the second level,” Angelo said.
Best of next 10 players taken: Nobody approaches Forte’s value, though DeSean Jackson at No. 49 surely gave Philadelphia a dimension it lacked.
Future: Forte has an opportunity to assemble the best career of a Bears running back since Walter Payton — provided he stays healthy. The biggest issues surrounding Forte have more to do with the Bears’ ability to find a suitable backup or complement than about his own skills.
Earl Bennett
WR, third round, 70th
Impact: Who? On a team whose weakest position is wide receiver, Bennett still is looking for his first catch. He contributed in a minor way on special teams but rates among the roster’s biggest mysteries — and frustrations.
What they said on draft day: “We see him as a guy who has starter talent, and we graded him as such. … He’s great in traffic. He’s great after he has the ball in his hands. He has very good hands,” Bears scouting director Greg Gabriel said.
Best of next 10 players taken: At least Harry Douglas of the Falcons, who went 14 picks after Bennett, has caught 21 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown.
Future: The Bears must draft a big-play wideout as well as sign one, so Bourbonnais might represent Bennett’s do-or-die chance to work into the rotation. He wouldn’t be the first disappointing third-round pick cut during his second training camp.
Marcus Harrison
DT, third round, 90th overall
Impact: He ascended quickly on the depth chart because of obvious physical gifts that made him hard to displace from the rotation. He’s suited better for the “3 technique,” behind Tommie Harris, and at times was the Bears’ most disruptive interior tackle.
What they said on draft day: “Talent-wise, we are very excited and we feel very comfortable with him fitting in our system,” defensive coordinator Bob Babich said.
Best of next 10 players taken: Harrison panned out on and off the field for the Bears, but the Lions also got a good one two choices later with defensive end Cliff Avril, who has four sacks and three forced fumbles.
Future: Harrison isn’t a natural fit at nose tackle in this scheme but doesn’t need to start to make his dominant presence felt. Better consistency in terms of technique and effort eventually could improve his play to Pro Bowl-caliber.
Craig Steltz
S, fourth round, 120th
Impact: He didn’t play until Week 6 but has become a dependable special-teams player who has a blocked punt and interception. If the Bears wouldn’t have had such high expectations, the delay in his development might not have been as noticeable.
What they said on draft day: “Since I’ve been here we’ve never really been in agreement in the fourth round on a player — coaches and scouts alike — that this player can start. … We do feel that about Craig Steltz,” Angelo said.
Best of next 10 players taken: The Cowboys’ late-season find at running back, Tashard Choice, went two picks later at 122, and the Giants moved up to the 123rd spot to take linebacker Bryan Kehl, who has played a role in their defense.
Future: Steltz didn’t play as fast as Bears projected, and that will have to improve for him to earn the starting spot Angelo envisioned. As he adjusts, at least his effort and awareness make Steltz a reliable special-teams contributor.
Zack Bowman
CB, fifth round, 142nd
Impact: Bowman didn’t make the team out of camp and spent a total of four days on the active 53-man roster, but nobody ever can take away Oct. 19. In his first NFL game, he recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and picked off a pass to clinch the victory over the Vikings. A torn biceps landed him on injured reserve.
What they said on draft day: “He’s a big guy, and as fast as he is, he’s really going to help us on special teams,” Babich said.
Best of next 10 players taken: Dallas selected cornerback Orlando Scandrick one pick later, and Scandrick has served as the Cowboys’ nickel back. Seven picks after Bowman the Cardinals chose Tim Hightower, who has become their running back of the future. Think Hightower would have been a nice complement to Forte?
Future: Bowman has the physical tools to emerge in his second season much the way Corey Graham did in 2008, and the Bears surprisingly need help at that position.
Kellen Davis
TE, fifth round, 158th
Impact: Nothing Davis has done has made anybody forget about his missed block on the key fourth-and-1 at Carolina that capped a regrettable loss. He has lined up as the third tight end and contributed on special teams.
What they said on draft day: “He’s a good run blocker [and] we are pleased with the way he blocks, and he can also bring something as a receiver,” offensive coordinator Ron Turner said.
Best of next 10 players taken: Six picks after the Bears took Davis, the Saints drafted left guard Carl Nicks, who is now their starter.
Future: Davis showed good hands during the preseason, and his size and speed combination makes him worth keeping. But he isn’t likely to move up on the depth chart at the Bears’ strongest position.
*The Bears also drafted Ervin Baldwin, Chester Adams, Joey LaRocque, Kirk Barton and Marcus Monk in the seventh round, but only LaRocque has made any contribution.
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dhaugh@tribune.com
Rating the rookies: Besides Matt Forte, which Bears rookie do you feel the best about at this point? Cast your vote at chicagotribune.com/bearspoll
