Kyle Long
Kyle Long started just five games at Oregon, but has the size, athletic ability, aggressiveness, and bloodlines for an NFL lineman. He rotated at left guard for the Ducks. Fundamentally off as a pass protector and run blocker, the 20th pick in the draft is strong for a high risk, high reward player with limited experience. The Bears project Long to start at right guard, although he has received work in OTAs at tackle. Jon Bostic has had a good spring and has gained the confidence from the coaches to be calling the defenses for the second unit. An outstanding athlete with long arms, he has the speed to run a play down from behind. He is instinctive, tough, and football smart. The former Gator is versatile enough to fill in for any of the starting three Bears’ linebackers if one gets injured. He has made improvement in pass coverage technique during OTAs and will be a force on special teams’ coverage. Khaseem Greene will start out his career backing up Pro Bowler Lance Briggs and play on special teams while he is learning his craft. Focused, instinctive, and intense in his play, he is a hybrid linebacker who plays well inside out. A productive run and hit linebacker, he wrapped up 136 tackles in 2012. Jordan Mills was drafted for his versatility, having started 5 games at guard as well as tackle. As wide open as the competition is on the Bears’ offensive line, Mills may get a chance to play sooner than later. Chicago is starting him out at right tackle, but he may be a better guard down the line. He plays with a good base and mirror in pass protection and gets push in the run game. More athletic than physical in his play, he struggles with edge speed rushers. Defensive end Cornelius Washington may prove to be a steal or a high value pick at this point in the draft. He was used as a situational pass rusher with all of Georgia’s talent. He has explosive first step quickness and has long arms and very good athletic ability for rushing the passer. At this point in his career, he is more athlete than football player and will always have a coach looking for more. Washington has the talent to be a starter, but will have to beat out Corey Wootton and Turk McBride to do so. Marquess Wilson was a definite value pick for the Bears if he plays to his talent level. In 2011 he corralled 82 passes which was good for 1388 yards and 12 scores. Due to a disagreement with a coach, Wilson quit the Cougars’ football team with just three games left in the 2012 season. Before leaving the team he had caught passes in 39 straight games. He is a height, weight, and speed target with long arms who could see the field as a fourth or fifth receiver if he doesn’t get distracted. GRADE: AVERAGE.
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