Chicago Bears 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Morgan Epstein grades the Chicago Bears 2016 NFL Draft. Does Chicago have a bright future after drafting Leonard Floyd with the ninth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

9. Leonard Floyd, 3-4 ROLB, Georgia C Grade

Leonard Floyd is a rotational pass rusher. If you draft a pass rusher this high and trade up for him then he should start right away. There were rumors about Floyd going ninth overall so I won't give the Bears a D or F grade like an alarmist, but there were better players available at 9.

34. Cody Whitehair, LG, Kansas State A Grade

Cody Whitehair is an awesome pick for the Bears at this point. He gives Chicago a replacement for Matt Slauson at left guard.

67. Jonathan Bullard, 3-4 LE, Florida A+ Grade

Jonathan Bullard is expected to start right away. This is easily an A+ grade for the Bears.

113. Nick Kwiatkoski, 3-4 MLB, WVU D Grade

West Virginia middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is currently listed as a third string middle linebacker in Chicago's 3-4 defense. He was also a fifth round prospect so this pick appears to be a clear reach on Chicago's end.

125. Deon Bush, SS, Miami FL B Grade

Deon Bush cannot tackle on tape. He's starting for the Bears at strong safety though so you have to credit the Bears for getting a starter in the fourth round. I'll give this a B grade.

127. Deiondre Hall, CB, Northern Iowa C Grade

Deiondre Hall is currently the quarter cornerback on the Chicago Bears depth chart. He's a nickel cornerback on the Bears second team as well as a field cornerback on their third team for practice.

150. Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana B Grade

Jordan Howard is a solid third string running back to add. You may have lost Matt Forte but now you have Jeremy Langford, Ka'Deem Carey as a backup, and now Jordan Howard as a third string running back. Chicago has done a much better job drafting running backs in the late rounds the last few years.

185. DeAndre Carson, FS, William & Mary D Grade

Chicago drafts a third string safety with this pick. DeAndre Houston-Carson can play cornerback, strong safety, or free safety with his versatility which keeps this pick from being an F grade.

230. Daniel Braverman, WR, WMU B Grade

Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White are expected to start on the outside. Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Cameron Meredith, and Daniel Braverman are all competing for the slot receiver job with Royal being a heavy favorite to win that job. Western Michigan's wide receiver reminds many of Julian Edelman coming out of Kent State except Edelman was a quarterback in College.

Chicago Bears Team Grade: B Grade

Chicago should have taken Vernon Hargreaves III at 9. That decision may come back to haunt the Bears for years to come. Chicago got a few quality starters on both sides of the ball in rounds 2-4, but they didn't get players at positions of need. A developmental quarterback and an immediate starter at left tackle were two huge needs that the Bears ignored plus they passed on Hargreaves for Floyd, and that's what kept the Bears from an A grade. Overall this was a solid draft by the Bears that was worthy of a B grade