Chicago Bears 2009 Draft: How Did Angelo's Picks Develop?

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What is the main difference between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers today?  Both have about 90 years of football experience.  Both play in outdoor stadiums in the same climate.

So why do the Packers look so good, while the Bears often struggle to look mediocre?

The answer is—the draft.

Ted Thompson is the best in the business with his draft picks.  Jerry Angelo is among the worst.

Let's take a look back at Angelo's best and worst picks, going back to 2009. 

Round 3, Selection 68: Jarron Gilbert

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With the Chicago Bears' top pick of the 2009 draft, the Bears select, drum roll please, Jarron Gilbert.  Yes, Jarron Gilbert everyone.  The man who can jump out of a pool, but can't tackle anyone.  He is currently on the New York Jets' practice squad.

Round 3, Selection 99: Juaquin Iglesias

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Why does our receiving corp leave something to be desired?  Wasted draft picks and poor talent evaluation like on Juaquin Iglesias.  He played in only one game for the Bears in 2009 before being waived in the offseason.  He currently is on the Houston Texans practice squad.

Round 4, Selection 105: Henry Melton

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Defensive Tackle Henry Melton has been a contributor to the Bears' defensive line.  Debuting in 2010, he played in all 16 games recording 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks.  So far, in 2011, he has started every game recording eight tackles and three sacks.

Round 4, Selection 114: D J Moore

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Cornerback D J Moore, along with Peanut Tillman, has been a solid staple in an otherwise shaky Bears' secondary.  Moore has played every game of the 2010 and 2011 seasons recording four and three interceptions respectively. 

Round 5, Selection 140: Johnny Knox

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With a Round 5 garbage pick that was thrown in by Denver to sweeten the Jay Cutler deal, Jerry Angelo drafts Johnny Knox.  After a phenomenal 2010 in which he received 51 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns, Knox is having a bit of a down year in 2011. 

In seven games he has only recorded 19 catches for 348 yards and no touchdowns. 

Round 5, Selection 154: Marcus Freeman

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Linebacker Marcus Freeman was waived prior to the start of the 2009 season.  He was then signed and waived by both the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans. 

After the 2009 Freeman retired due to the discovery of an enlarged heart condition.  He is currently on the coaching staff at Ohio State.

Round 6, Selection 190: Al Afalava

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Safety Al Afalava played in 13 games for the Bears in 2009 before being released in the offseason.  He was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts for 2010 but only played in four games.  He is currently a free agent.

Round 7, Selections 246 and 251: Lance Louis and Derek Kinder

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Lance Louis was part of the atrocious offensive line of 2010, an offensive line that saw Jay Cutler sacked more times than he can probably remember.  But 2011 is a new year and he's come along nicely in the past few games as a replacement for bad football player Frank Omiyale. 

Derek Kinder was released by the Bears in August of 2009.  He never played an NFL game.

 

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