Chicago Bears Draft Recap: Grading the Graders
The experts had plenty to say about the Chicago Bears 2024 Draft, most of it nice. I have plenty to say about the experts, most of it nice.
April 25, 2024.
A date which will live in infamy.
Good infamy, though. Because that’s the date the Chicago Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Ozunde. The rest of Draft weekend was almost as infamous, as GM Ryan Poles snatched up OT Kiran Amegadije, punter Tory Taylor, and DE Austin Booker.
Pretty great haul. I’d grade it an unequivocal A.
A majority of the super-smart pundits on the NFL landscape — pundits who, I must admit, are a tad smarter than me — agreed that the Bears knocked it out of the park. But how did they agree? Who had a cool take? Who was talking out of their tush?
I scoured the interwebs in order to answer those very questions, so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.
THEIR TAKE: “I need to see Caleb Williams play up to his lofty draft status before I believe he’s a future top-five NFL quarterback who will lead the Chicago Bears to great heights.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: C
Former NFL executive Jeff Diamond plays Captain Obvious here, as we all need to see all the draftees play up to any status before we offer a verdict.
THEIR TAKE: “Getting QB Caleb Williams (1) and WR Rome Odunze (9) in the top 10 will help them compete for a playoff spot this season. OL Kiran Amegadjie (75) provides more protection Williams. Took Tory Taylor, the best punter in the draft, a little early in the fourth.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: D+
Dig the optimism, don’t dig the Taylor diss, and don’t dig the fact that there’s no byline.
THEIR TAKE: “Poles didn't enter the draft with a high volume of picks, but it's hard not to love what he did over the weekend. Odunze puts the finishing touches on the best supporting cast Chicago has given a quarterback in recent memory. Williams should put an end to the franchise's quarterback futility.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: C
A lengthy breakdown without much of the way of punditry. Good facts, lacking heart, and no byline other than “BR NFL Scouting Department.” Give the writers some love, BR!
THEIR TAKE: “The Bears get my No. 1 QB and also my No. 1 WR in Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. I love getting Kiran Amegadjie as their swing tackle who will be able to spot start.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: B
Solid but unspectacular stuff from former NFL linebacker Leger Douzable. I’d have given him a B-, but he’s way bigger and stronger than me, thus the half-grade bump.
THEIR TAKE: “Chicago didn't have the capital to fully help both its offense and defense in this draft, and as a result, the other side of the ball needs some work. With Williams leading the way, though, the offense will be incredibly fun to watch in 2024.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: A
When it comes to NFL Draft punditry, Mel Kiper Jr. is the gold standard. Yeah, he stuck to the facts, only offering up some brief opinion, and it wasn’t as insightful as one might have hoped, but it’s Mel. He gets an A for simply being him.
Day 1: A
Day 2: A-
Day 3: B
THEIR TAKE: “Williams and Odunze, combined with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen could give the Bears their best passing attack since the merger. The second-round pick that was dealt to Washington for Montez Sweat should pay off now that his contract has been extended. Amegadjie should contribute as a backup in 2024 and has potential to start down the road. Taylor has a good leg and had plenty of reps at Iowa, but I believe picking him in the fourth round was a reach.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: B+
Good facts, and good opinion, but Chad Reuter gets dinged half a grade because of his Taylor diss. Enough pooping on the punter, people — it was a good pick.
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-grades-all-32-teams
THEIR TAKE: “Williams has the kind of unique playmaking ability that every team is looking for at the quarterback position, and he earned 90.0-plus PFF grades in three consecutive years to end his college career.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: A+
Individual player breakdowns? Proprietary stats? Detailed but not too wordy? Yes, please, thank you Trevor Sikkema.
THEIR TAKE: “The duo of Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze will define the Bears’ 2024 class. Everything after Williams and Odunze served as a bonus for the Bears, but they still managed to use their remaining picks to their advantage. Chicago’s roster was almost complete heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, one could argue they’re ready to make noise in the upcoming season.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: A
All killer, no filler from Cam Mellor. Short and sweet, facts and takes, and they liked the Taylor pick.
THEIR TAKE: A+
“I love the Bears’ draft so much that their decision to pick a punter in the fourth round doesn’t even faze me. This could be the class that turns the Bears back into an NFL powerhouse team.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: A
Danny Kelly is funny. Danny Kelly knows his stuff. Danny Kelly likes Tory Taylor. Ch-ching.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2024-best-worst-classes/95666a96709d1d94631633f5
THEIR TAKE: “GM Ryan Poles has to be thrilled at the look of his new offense with Williams taking the controls. They also got an intriguing pass protector for him in Amegadjie. The only key absence of the class is a defensive tackle.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: C
Nothing special from Vinnie Iyer. Nothing terrible. It’s just…there.
THEIR TAKE: “Chicago gets a group loaded with star power and attitude. Amegadjie could end up being the steal of this class, and based on how well GM Ryan Poles has mined the lower rungs of the draft for offensive line talent, we could see another deep class for the Bears in a critical season.”
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: B+
Quality work from Matt Verderame, who gets bonus points for making the most of his limited word count.
THEIR TAKE: “You made it, Bears fans. A quarterback prospect who has real deal superstar upside is here. Caleb Williams has all the talent in the world to finally be the dynamic passer the Bears have been waiting for — and he is set up well for success.
MY GRADE OF THEIR GRADE: A-
Unlike SI’s Verderame, Charles McDonald was given some room to jam, and jam he did. Succinct, interesting breakdown of each pick. An easy read loaded with facts and takes.