As part of his focus on the NFC North, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks grades the Bears' 2015 draft and highlights what they should focus on at next week's NFL Combine.
Brooks gives the Bears a "B" grade for a draft class that consisted of receiver Kevin White in Round 1, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman in Round 2, center Hroniss Grasu in Round 3, running back Jeremy Langford in Round 4, safety Adrian Amos in Round 5 and tackle Tayo Fabuluje in Round 6.
RB Jeremy Langford was drafted in Round 4 of the 2015 NFL Draft.
"John Fox's debut season in the Windy City didn't produce a playoff appearance, but the wily coach certainly put down a foundation that could lead to a successful run in the near future," Brooks wrote.
"Although he didn't get a single contribution from his top pick (Kevin White, who missed the season with a leg injury), Fox coaxed solid production from an underrated rookie class. Jeremy Langford appears to be the heir apparent to soon-to-be-free-agent Matt Forte's RB1 spot after amassing over 800 total yards from scrimmage and scoring seven touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving). Hroniss Grasu solidified the pivot position during the middle of the season, exhibiting solid instincts and awareness as the primary communicator along the front line. Eddie Goldman and Adrian Amos earned their stripes as rookie starters on a revamped defense. Each flashed the toughness and competitiveness expected from a franchise that traditionally hitches its wagon to the defense."
At the Combine, Brooks advises the Bears to focus on the defensive side of the ball, writing: "The team's lack of pass rushers will prompt officials to take extended looks at Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence and Georgia's Leonard Floyd as hybrid playmakers, but the team could also focus on Oregon's DeForest Buckner and Clemson's talented duo (Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd) as potential five-techniques in its 3-4 system. The void at inside linebacker could lead team officials to pay close attention to Alabama's Reggie Ragland and Missouri's Kentrell Brothers."
