Chicago Bears 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. The Chicago Bears were the talk of free agency as they added key pieces to promote a quicker rebuild then under former coach John Fox. New Head Coach Matt Nagy already looks to have placed his stamp on how the Bears are moving in the future. With a full seven pick slate in this year’s draft, how did DA-Bears come out, let’s review… 

Chicago Bears 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 8 (8)

Roquan Smith (LB)

The first pick for the Bears in the 2018 NFL draft saw them move in a direction selecting the new type of breed of NFL line backers in former Bulldog star Roquan Smith. ADF is a HUGE fan of Smith and believes he will cause great havoc for offenses in the NFL. Smith has super-star athletic ability that screamed out on film every time he was disruptive and making plays. Roquan ran a very impressive 4.51 40 time at the Combine with a weight of 236 pounds which is extremely fast for a guy with his bulk. His list of physical and mental accolades far exceeds any negatives traits you try and place on his game. The one knock on Smith is that we wished he could be two inches taller while keeping all the traits he possesses, but he does a fantastic job with his craft at just over six feet tall.

Smith began his career as somewhat of an average player in Georgia to finally breakout last season to become a dominate force on the field. A straight tackling machine, Roquan racked up 137 total takedowns, 14 of them which went for negative plays while adding 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble, what else can we say but wow. What makes Smith that much more intriguing of a prospect is the realization that he indeed could get to the quarterback. Never recording a sack in either his freshman or sophomore campaigns, he finally was used in a manner to exploit his skill-sets. The Bears got a monster with the eight overall selection.     

ADF Prediction: Future NFL Star

Round 2 – Pick 7 (39)

James Daniels (C)

Addressing the offensive line to provide support to both the run and pass games prompted the Bears to select one of the better fundamental offensive linemen in the draft. Daniels has been projected to have the ability to play both Center and Guard with much athletic ability. It would be nice to see Daniels add weight to his frame improving on his current just over 300 pound build. With all the weapons added to this Bears offense, and the high hopes that Mitchell Trubisky can take the next step in his progression, James will be leaned upon to start day one to help correct the inadequacies felt from last year’s offensive line.  

ADF Prediction: Solid starter. 

Round 2 – Pick 19 (51)

Anthony Miller (WR)

With their second pick in the second round of the draft, the Bears may have reached a little knowing they didn’t possess a third round selection and wanted to be sure they secured the former Memphis hot-shot receiver. Miller is a very interesting player that uses speed and quickness to break free from defenders as his 4.46 40 time was on display in his last two seasons.  Miller was an absolute stud in his junior and senior campaigns with the Tigers posting 191 receptions, 2896 yards, and 32 touchdowns over that span, extremely impressive. Miller is also quite versatile as he could easily man both the outside and inside receiver positions carving up the opposition.

Miller has a great opportunity to fit in with the Bears finding a key role on this offense knowing he doesn’t have to be the primary target. As a secondary option, Anthony Miller could excel with the Bears becoming a very dangerous weapon on a weekly basis. ADF really likes what we see from Miller.    

ADF Prediction: Great upside, potential high end producer.  

Round 4 – Pick 15 (115)

Joel Iyieqbuniwe (LB)

This pick for the Bears was somewhat puzzling as this looked to be a clear reach on a player they could’ve drafted in the later rounds. The appeal in Iyieqbuniwe’s game is that he is very good in defending the pass in both zone and man coverage packages, much like another talent on the Bears roster in Danny Trevathan. The skill-set is very much a resemblance of Trevathan which makes us believe they would like to spell Danny at times without losing a step. That may be a little ambitious to start with, but with some coaching Joel might carve out some playing time with this improving Bears team.   

ADF Prediction: Situational player with moderate to low upside.

Round 5 – Pick 8 (145)

Bilal Nichols (DT)

Not entirely sure what the Bears see in Bilal Nichols other than him possessing great size at 6’4” and 306 pounds. Nichols looks to be a depth draft pick to add size to a defensive line that could use more run stuffers and hole fillers on that side of the ball.

Round 6 – Pick 7 (181)

Kylie Fitts (DE)

Moving in much the same direction as their previous selection, the Bears chose to continue to add to a defensive line that requires a great deal of depth. Fitts is known to be able to play in both the 4-3 and the 3-4 schemes with a good first step off the ball. However,  his injury history appears to be a real concern.

Round 7 – Pick 6 (224)

Javon Wims (WR)

The Bears might have found a very solid contributor with their last pick of their 2018 draft class. Wims has great size standing a 6’4” tall making him a clear redzone target when needed. His speed won’t separate him from the pack put should draw coverage with good hands and jumping ability.

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Nyles Morgan, LB, Notre Dame 

Andrew Trumbetti, DE Notre Dame

Michael Joseph, CB, Dubuque

Nick Orr, DB, TCU

Ryan Winslow, P, Pitt

Kevin Toliver, CB, LSU

Ryan Nall, RB, Oregon State

Dejon Allen, OL, Hawaii

Cavon Walker, DL, Maryland

Bunmi Rotimi, DE, Old Dominion

Rashard Fant, CB, Indiana