Chicago Bears 2009 NFL Draft Review

Sports Network | April 26, 2009

(Sports Network) -

3 - Jarron Gilbert, DL, San Jose State (6-5, 288); 3 - Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Texas (6-1, 210); 4 - Henry Melton, DE, Texas (6-3, 270); 4 - D.J. Moore, DB, Vanderbilt (5-9, 192); 5 - Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian (5-11, 185); 5 - Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State (6-1, 239); 6 - Al Afalavam S, Oregon State (5-11, 207); 7 - Lance Louis, OL, San Diego State (6-3, 303); 7 - Derek Kinder, WR, Pittsburgh (6-0, 202)

Analysis: The Bears gave up their first-round pick in the Jay Cutler deal and traded out of the second-round as well, waiting until the opening moments of the second day to select the YouTube sensation Gilbert. Pass rushing help wasn't the Bears' biggest need, but the versatile Gilbert should be an immediate contributor in that realm nonetheless. Iglesias was the Bears' best attempt to fill the glaring need at wideout, though he's not a field-stretcher or natural big-play guy. The undersized Moore was a good value pick in the fourth round and will add immediate depth to the secondary. Beyond the fourth round, Knox has good hands and can positively fly. The athletic but brittle Freeman may turn out to be a strong value pick in the fifth.

Bottom Line: Cutler and Pace were the story of the Bears' offseason, but the team did a decent job with the picks they had to work with.

Grade: B-