The Chicago Bears made a significant leap in the second season of the Jay Cutler era, making it to the NFC Championship game before falling to the Green Bay Packers. The defense was as stout as ever, but the offense was lacking depth on the offensive line and big plays on the outside. One area was fixed, the other ignored.
After a failed trade with the Baltimore Ravens, the Bears were still able to select the player they wanted in Round 1 when they were picked Gabe Carimi, the offensive tackle out of Wisconsin. Many had Carimi rated at either the best or second best tackle, and he will step in right away to open holes for Matt Forte and protect Cutler, who has spent way too much time in his two seasons on his backside.
The second round brought Chicago Stephen Paea, the defensive tackle out of Oregon State. Paea set the record for bench press reps at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he should move into the line in place of Tommie Harris, who is unlikely to return. But the receiving corps is still woefully thin. Cutler has the talent to be a top flight quarterback, but his top target is still Devin Hester, who is a kick returner who started out at cornerback and was converted to wideout. The Bears may look to add a receiver in free agency, but there was talent on the outside to be found and they didn't use a single pick on the position.
A late round sleeper looks to be James Thomas, a linebacker out of West Virginia selected in Round 6. Thomas will be a fixture on special teams, but he is a very good fit for the Tampa-2 defense the Bears employ, and that could help him move into the starting lineup eventually.
Draft Grade: C+
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