Grading Jerry Angelo's 2007 NFL Draft for the Chicago Bears

It is unfair to judge a draft class from just one season, so I am leaving the 2010 Bears draft class out of this discussion.  

But let’s take a look back on the last five drafts under current Chicago General Manager Jerry Angelo.

From booms to bust, here are picks and the overall grades from those drafts.

1st Round (No. 31 Overall): Greg Olsen, TE, Miami

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 06: Tight end Greg Olsen #82 of the Chicago Bears makes a catch against linebacker London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins in third quarter action at FedEx Field December 6, 2007 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won the

Olsen has been a solid tight end for Chicago the last four years.

Olsen never turned into the red zone threat that the Bears wanted him to be, but has been productive racking up yards and touchdowns. 

He should be Chicago’s tight end for years to come.

Pick grade: B

2nd Round (No. 62 Overall): Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 7: Dan Bazuin #73 of the Chicago Bears pursues the play against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game on August 7, 2008 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This might be the worst draft pick under Jerry Angelo.

Bazuin never saw the field for the Bears and was cut in 2008 after a second surgery on a knee.

Drafting Bazuin was questioned by many at the time of the draft, and I guess the critics were right.

Pick grade: F

3rd Round (No. 93 Overall): Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Running back Garrett Wolfe #25 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball during warm ups prior to the Bears game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by

Wolfe has been a special teams extraordinaire for the Bears. He is always a top tackler for Chicago on special teams, and fills the lanes well on punts.

For a third-round pick, picking a good special teams player is a big stretch however. Wolfe is a good player and the Bears love his dedication for embracing his role.

Pick grade: C-

4th Round (No. 130 Overall): Josh Beekman, G, Boston College

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 08: Josh Beekman #67 of the Chicago Bears waits in the huddle for the play call against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on November 8, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 41-21. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

Beekman is no longer on the Bears’ roster, but he was a serviceable guard when he played.

He started all 16 games for Chicago in the 2008-2009 season and did a decent job blocking up front.

Beekman is a backup player for a NFL team, and hopefully will be back in the league soon.

Pick grade: C

5th Round (No. 167 Overall): Kevin Payne, S, Louisiana-Monroe

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 04: Kevin Smith #34 of the Detroit Lions breaks away from Kevin Payne #44 of the Chicago Bears to score a touchdown on October 4, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 48-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

Payne started for the Bears in 2008 and 2009 and then was traded to the Rams before the start of last year.

Payne was a hard hitter and a sure tackler in the running game. His pass defense, a different story.

Payne was regularly found out of position that led to deep passes for opposing teams. But starting two years as a 5th round pick is pretty good production.

Pick grade: B

5th Round (No. 168 Overall): Corey Graham, CB, New Hampshire

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Corey Graham #21 of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Graham is a player that can do it all. I think he could start at corner for the Bears in the near future.

Graham is one of the best special teams player for Chicago, with 57 special teams tackles over the past three seasons, surpassing the 20 tackle mark on two occasions.

He's a good player that should make even more of an impact this year.

Pick grade: B+

7th Round (No. 221 Overall): Trumaine McBride, CB, Ole Miss

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 16: Trumaine McBride #26 of the Chicago Bears catches the ball before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 16, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 29-26. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

McBride started nine games as a rookie for the Bears.

He rarely saw the field after that season and was waived by Chicago in the 2009 season after an injury to his knee.

Pick grade: C

Draft Class Grade

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 07: Greg Olsen #82 of the Chicago Bearscatches a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 7, 2008 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 23-10. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bears didn't have any glaring needs after a NFC championship and a narrow loss in the Super Bowl in the previous season, so their mantra was to take the best player available in the 2007 NFL Draft.

But outside of Olsen, Chicago missed on a lot of good players. Instead of Bazuin, the Bears could have had Charles Johnson or Brian Robison. Instead of Wolfe they could have picked up Le'Ron McClain or Ahmad Bradshaw. 

It should come as no surprise, then, that the Bears went from first to last and finished with a 7-9 record the following season.

Other picks from this draft: offensive tackle Aaron Brant (No. 241 overall) and linebacker Michael Okwo (No. 94 overall).

Overall class grade: C-