Now that the 2010 Draft is behind us, I wanted to take a look at the Bears 09' class of draftees and UDFAs. 

I'm gonna break'em down into three categories:

 Future is Bright (steady contributer and likely starter)              

 Future is Bench (ST contributer with occasional playing time)

 Future isn't with Bears (won't be around longer than a season or two)

Immediate impact rookies were Johnny Knox, Al Afalava and Kahlil Bell

               Opportunity Knox had a huge impact on the 2009 season.  Knox had over 40 rec. and over 500 yds. while compiling 6 total TDs.  He became a special teams threat, as well a big play threat from the WR position.  Few doubt, that Knox will have an even bigger impact on the 2010 campaign.  I'm stoked on what this guy can do in the Martz offense.  Johnny Knox's skill set and the attacking offensive mindset of Mike Martz, are a match made in Halas heaven.  

Future is Bright

               Al Afalava had a solid rookie campaign at SS through week 8 and then his production began to slip a little.  AA started 13 games with 2 forced fumbles, 53 tckls, 7 Pdf, but 0 ints.  He had and has some injury issues that he must work through, if he wants to compete for a starters spot in 10'.  Considering the recent trade for Hitman Chris Harris and the draft selection of Major Wright, I'm not confident Alfalava will be much more than a back up over the next few seasons.  Though the departure of Kevin Payne certainly helps his cause.

Future is Bench

              Kahlil Bell was a UDFA that was forced onto the field because of injuries to Matt Forte and the now departed Kevin Jones.  With a respectable 5.5 yds per carry and a long 72 yarder, Bell looked destined to beat the odds and become a contributer on the Bears offense.  Then Ron Turner was fired (yeah!) and Martz was hired (lukewarm).  

              Martz requires his running backs to catch well out of the backfield.  Sometimes he requires them to line up on the outside (like a WR).  Forte can do this.  So can newly acquired RB Chester Taylor.  As for Bell... Me thinks no.  

Future isn't with Bears 

 Now to the fellers we just didn't see much of in 09'

               DT Jarron Gilbert is a youtube superstar.  So far... That's about it.  Well to be fair, he did make the Bears 09' stat line with 1 tackle.  There's been rumors than Gilbert has fallen out of favor or that he's gonna move to D-end blah, blah, blah...  I don't have a clue.  What I do know is Lovie, Marinelli and crew need to get this guy playing and contributing soon!  The fact that the Bears didn't draft a DT leads me to believe they're gonna give this guy every chance to be successful.  Tough to categorize Gilbert, but with Rush Rod coaching him up and his elite athletic ability, he gets the benefit of the doubt.  

Future is Bright

              D.J. Moore CB out of Vandy had a lot of steam behind him when he declared for the NFL draft a year early.  Moore was an AP, si.com, and rivals.com All-American, along with being All-SEC his sophomore & junior seasons. Moore was a projected late first round early second pick until his lackluster performance at the NFL combine.  We got him in the 4th.              

              Moore was supposed to make up for his lack of size 5'9, with his leaping ability.  Unfortunately I have yet to see him leap.  Moore has only seen action in 3 games with nothing to show for it on the stat board.  With the signing of CB Tim Jennings and the drafting of CB J. Moore, this leads me to believe the confidents level in D.J. isn't real high.  Not to mention Corey Graham and possibly Danieal Manning headed for the CB log jam as well.   But no doubt he will have his opportunity to compete with those guys this summer.  And maybe D.J. Moore just needed a first year mulligan like another Vandy alum.  Though at this point, I'm not seeing it.

Future isn't with Bears

              Juaquin Iglesias was our big need draft pick last year.  Getting a stud WR was the talk of WCG in 09'.  And we got one.  Sadly for Iglesias, it wasn't him but another WR draft pick that proved worthy.  This is not to say Iglesias will not eventually produce.  With nearly zilch for playing time in 09', I can only form an opinion on what I think will happen.  I think he's gonna be fine.  Iglesias is one injury away from looking at some PT this year and I think he'll make the most of it. Don't get me wrong.  He's not gonna start (maybe ever).  But I do think he provides depth for the Bears and will be a special teams contributer for years to come.

Future is Bench 

              Henry Melton was one of those project picks.  You know, all the athletic ability to run for 10 TDs as a freshman at Texas, but he wasn't drafted to score TDs.  He was drafted to make tackles and put pressure on the QB from the DT position.  I'm not sure if this guy sticks around for more than a year or two.  The good news for Melton, is that he has the finest D-line teacher in Marinelli.  The bad news is with Harris, Adams, Harrison, Gilbert and maybe even Izzy all in front of him... to say he has an up hill battle, would be an understatement.  Luckily for Melton, Lovie & Co. love stockpiling DTs.

Future is Bench        

              Lance Louis has been intriguing for me from day one.  I love his physical tools. He's strong and fast. MuleTrain had a comment with link mentioning this.    Plus the fact that the Bears haven't been doing much guard shopping, when everyone including me thought that Guard was the #1 offensive concern in this off season. Couple that with Tice's recent comments about not wanting to bring in a vet.  All leads me to believe that Lance Louis is getting his shot.  I say he does well and becomes a starter!

Future is Bright 

              Will Ta'ufo'ou FB from Cal. He could be good for someone else. Bottom line, he's a FB and Martz doesn't use them.  

Future isn't with Bears

              Eric Peterman is a solid UDFA pick up out of Northwestern.  Though not likely to start at WR anytime soon or ever for that matter.  I do see Peterman at 6'1 200+lbs  contributing on ST this year and beyond.

Future is on Bench 

              Woodny Turenne is another solid UDFA pick up.  About 6'1 184lbs Turenne has the size & ability to be a  cover 2 CB in the NFL.  As long as he works hard at his craft, I like his chances of sticking.  Bottom line, he has more size and comparable ability to many of the CBs on the Bears current roster.

Future is on Bench

              Marcus Freeman LB, was a pick in last years draft that failed to make the team and practice squad.  Has since retired from football for health reasons.  I wish him well.

Future isn't with Bears

Who'd I miss on?  Who do you think is gonna take that big step forward in 2010?