SBNation NFL Mock Draft, Pick 14: The Chicago Bears Select...
by Brian Galliford on Apr 4, 2008 7:59 PM EDT
in 2008 NFL Draft
24 comments
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 No. 14 |
 Pick by Windy City GridironRashard Mendenhall Running Back Illinois |
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Closing out our first official five-day week of the SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears have selected Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall with the fourteenth overall selection. WCG of Windy City Gridiron made the selection and explains his rationale:
With the 14th pick the Chicago Bears select Rashard Mendenhall, RB, University of Illinois.
The Bears are in a very enviable situation this draft. The two spots they need most, offensive line and running back, happen to be two of the deepest positions of the draft. I do believe that the Bears will be listening to and calling anybody they can to make a move down, pick up some extra picks. With guys like Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones, Branden Albert and Gosder Cherilus sitting there in the 20s there is extreme value to make this move.
The responsible GM in me says you must improve you line. Without it, nothing works. But I just can't get past passing up on a potential super star. So I drew up my draft board and decided that if Ryan Clady fell, I'd be responsible. If he did not, I'd indulge and go with the sexy pick. Mendenhall has size and speed. He sees the field well, is a quality pass catcher and an above average blocker. All the things you'd like in a back.
The jury is still out on Cedric Benson, but he is on shaky ground. He is having troubles staying healthy, people are now questioning his heart and work ethic and if you ask this blogger he has a horrible attitude. Adrian Peterson is a fantastic special teams player and a above average receiver, but he hasn't shown the ability to be an every down back.
Currently, the NFC North has Adrian Peterson in Minnesota and Ryan Grant in Green Bay. It would pain me to see the Lions draft Mendenhall, a home town boy no less and have to see these guys 6 times a year. Chicago can not have the worst run came in this division, it is against the laws of nature and if it happens the Earth may very well spin off its axis and go hurdling into the sun.
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:
I'm trying to channel some good feelings before writing this, but I'm struggling to find them. The Bears are a team with a need at every position on the offensive line, in need of at least one receiver and their defensive tackle position is a mess. So, let's take a running back to compete with the guy we drafted fourth overall three years ago! Cedric Benson hasn't been a world beater as a starter, but he's not had a good quarterback or offensive line in front of him. Even drafting a quarterback here would have been rewarded with an "A+" grade from me. There are too many needs to draft a luxury player like Mendenhall. How is he any different from Benson?
Grade: F :: Rashard Mendenhall Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining - 1. CB Mike Jenkins, 2. RB Jonathan Stewart, 3. WR Limas Sweed, 4. LB Dan Connor, 5. OT Chris Williams
We've reached the weekend, so we're transitioning to two picks a day - we'll slow down, but SB Nation never stops. We'll still have two picks per day over the next two days (bringing us to pick 19 on Monday morning), so be sure to stay tuned as the picks unfold. The Detroit Lions, ably represented by Pride of Detroit, are now on the clock.
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I have to agree.
With such depth at RB in this draft, and such dearth at OL for the Bears, I sincerely don't understand this pick.
by John Morgan on Apr 5, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No offense Matt but I think you went too far in
giving them an F for 3 reasons:
- There are no other first round graded QB's in this year's draft besides Matt Ryan. I would wait till the third round and draft Josh Johnson.
- This Draft is deep in OT's. They can find a quality prospect in the second round.
- Benson isn't that good and probably will never be. And the Bears have always been a running team. If they can get a playmaker like Mendenhall with this pick then go for it. Granted this year is deep at RB, but same with OL, and there is no such thing as a playmaking OL.
by Burt D on Apr 5, 2008 1:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is my mock draft for the Bears in the first
3 rounds:
- RB Mendenhall
- OT Carl Nicks
- a.) DT Dre Moore
b.) QB Josh Johnson
by Burt D on Apr 5, 2008 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Brohm?
Brohm was a top 10 pick last year, hands down. What did he do this year to be down-graded to a 2nd round player? What about Joe Flacco?
The draft is deep at OT, but they are going to fly off the board. The best available OT in the 2nd round will likely be Barry Richardson. At #44 the Bears will be hoping they can get Jeff Otah, or they could take an OT here and know they'll get a good RB. The draft is deeper at RB than OT.
Ask Joe Thomas and the Cleveland Browns is there's a such thing as a playmaking OT.
by MattMiller on Apr 5, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think you can put Flacco in the first
round. He has all the talent, but just based on the competition he played against you can't put him in the first round. Its too big of a risk. Rarely do 1-AA QB's go in the first round. Heck Romo was a Walter Payton award winner and went undrafted. He is a high second rounder IMO.
Brohm is a good QB and probably underrated. He may not be as physically talented as some others, but I'll give you that Brohm should be a first rounder.
by Burt D on Apr 5, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
espn quality analysis
agree with burt and will add that if there is no difference in your eyes between benson and mendenhall, well, you probably shouldn't be running a site like this. or at least trying to comment on all prospects and all teams.
one guy can't: block, catch, make a guy miss, has lots of college miles on him and gets jacked by his teammates in practice for being a dick, the other guy is mendenhall, described as the opposite in all those skillsets (nfldraftcoutdown), a good character guy and a local for the Bears.
unless there's an immediate impact OT they have to pick best available. in this draft that is mendenhall.
by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 1:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mendenhall
What is the difference between Benson and Mendenhall? That was my question and I'm not seeing much of an answer here. Watch Benson in college and then watch Mendenhall last year.
Rashard is being credited as a power back, a good inside runner and a player with great vision. Who does that remind you of circa 2005?
by MattMiller on Apr 5, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Local
And why does it matter where a player went to school? How does that make him a better running back? That's the lamest excuse I've ever seen for drafting a player. Joe Montana went to Notre Dame, do you think the 49ers should have drafted a Cal prospect?
by MattMiller on Apr 5, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it doesn't really matter
but montana was from PA, not cali.
that's why it was last. if all things are equal the nfl is also a business, a home grown talent and local boy will sell some jersies.
blocking. running, pass catching and character are what you consider when drafting a running back, him being a local is a bonus that won't be completely ignored if they are looking at picking him up anyway. obviously teams don't only draft players from their states.
if the other option is a tackle who won't start and and a rb that is already strongly disliked and not showing a ton, i think a lot of people would prefer to take the potential superstar. (those that think that is a possibility at least.) and pick up line help later.
personally, i want a tackle that can start tomorrow. if that's not avaialble, the running game and pass protection won't be improved enough (assuming no fa signings) to make this team any better. if the potential of the project tackles left at 14 is greater than the potential upgrade mendenhall provides and greater than the potetial of another project tackle picked later, then they should pick a tackle. if not, pick the best talent available and i will be praying that they pick up a big talent tackle after next year or they have a breakout player in camp.
Angelo has made comments and done things that show his impatiennce with developing lineman, another thing to consider when trying to figure out what the Bears will do.
of course if someone wants to make this easier just make sure jake long is around at 14, I'll lay cash on what they do.
by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mendenhall seems more explosive to me
by Burt D on Apr 5, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is the difference
its even in bold now: one guy can't: block, catch, make a guy miss, has lots of college miles on him and gets jacked by his teammates in practice for being a dick, the other guy is mendenhall, described as the opposite in all those skillsets (nfldraftcoutdown), a good character guy
benson has a plate in his leg and already sucks, that won't make him better.
by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bears
Matt is right. I understand why WCG took a RB. Benson is garbage, and has been garbage since he was drafted. He was a huge mistake on Jerry Angelo's part, and imho should get Angelo canned. GMs cannot afford to fk up a #4 overall pick.
That said, RBs like Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, and others of the like will be available in rounds 2-4. These are the kinds of players at RB the Bears should look for. The issue for Chi-town is the o-line. It is wretched. Their receiving corps was always somewhat of a joke, and now it is a bad one. LT Chris Williams or WR Limas Sweed made more sense because they could become difference makers AND fill immediate needs.
It's important to note that the Bears are in rebuilding mode. They are not treating it as such nor are their fans viewing it as such. But, it IS a rebuilding team. With all the quality players they've lost, their now-decimated WR corps, and the fact that Rex Grossman is STILL their starting QB the Bears are in the process of re-working their entire roster.
by bigblueshoe on Apr 5, 2008 7:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
For the record
WCG stands by their pick and will only accept criticism is the alternative was for picking a o linemen.
Fans of the Bears cannot view their team in a rebuilding mode if management doesn't.
by Adam T on Apr 5, 2008 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rebuilding
Whether or not Bears fans or Bears management knows it or not, the Bears ARE rebuilding. Chicago's WR corps is a joke, the o-line is wretched, and Rex Grossman is still the starting QB. Currently constructed, this team is a 6 win team TOPS.
I agree that RB is a need (and if you recall, I've been saying Benson was garbage for years), but a player like Matt Forte in round two will give you one helluva back. Using your first rounder on a lineman or a play maker (Limas Sweed) made more sense, imho.
by bigblueshoe on Apr 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again
I will accept the thinking that Oline would have been better, but staking Sweed is just stupid. Using your own logic our oline is wrecked and out QB sucks, so draft a receiver? WTF? Who is going to block for Grossman? Is Grossman going to even get the ball out to him on target? How do we setup the passing game with out a back?
by Adam T on Apr 9, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see how you can give an F
Mendenhall was the best player available which should warrant a C at worst.
by Jaxon on Apr 5, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BPA
Best player available is great, but again they aren't filling a need. How can an objective fan overlook their obvious needs at QB, WR and OT. Running back is important and Benson has not gotten the job done, but what good is another RB if there is no passing threat and no offensive line to block for him?
by MattMiller on Apr 5, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can you say they aren't filling a need?
What exactly are you seeing in Benson that says he is any good? He has one maybe two years left on a contract we have nothing to show for it. Yes the line is banged up, but it wasn't all their fault. Benson ran poorly last year.
Picking a WR is the worst possible thing to do. How does that help us at all. Unless we get Randy Moss lucky at most they will be a #3 reciever. Same with the linemen, not likely to start, plus we drafted on last year you might have forgotten about that the Bears will be looking at.
Why draft a QB when all three are likely to be available in the 2nd? Again, bad pick.
by Adam T on Apr 5, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find myself agreeing
There's always the chance Mendenhall is a total bust like Cedric Benson, and then Bears fans will rue this day for a long while. The fact of the matter is that Benson is a bust right now, and aside from perhaps picking up a tackle like Jeff Otah (who Matt doesn't seem too high on) I don't know that there was true value here for the Bears. Mendenhall could immediately take over for a guy who is oft-injured, an indecisive runner and a bad teammate. I could see perhaps a C, here, but not an F.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 5, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oooooooooooooooooooh I get it now
It all makes sense. Benson is a UT alum. ;)
by Burt D on Apr 6, 2008 2:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ha. Ha.
I'll be the first to admit I am a Texas fan, but that doesn't apply on draft day. Frank Okam sucks, so does Tony Hills. I think Benson was overrated in that draft, but no running back would do well in the current offense they have. The Bears GM may not see this team as rebuilding, but everyone else does. Most people who pick and build a team will refuse that it's not working out.
by MattMiller on Apr 6, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A humorous knock on myself...
Mendenhall is visiting Chicago today. Goodbye, Jerry Angelo.
by MattMiller on Apr 8, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Bears are not going to draft
Mendenhall. I want them to, but I don't see it happening.
As far as Goodbye, Angelo maybe, but don't forget he is the one who drafted this defense and Hester. That should give some goodwill, shouldn't it?
by Adam T on Apr 9, 2008 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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