Bears 2016 Draft Class - 3 years later, your thoughts?
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:42 pm
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Really liked the pick, as Floyd was a dynamic pass-rushing presence, had an intriguing frame and leadership qualities the Bears needed. The trade up to get him had fans a bit riled, but fans are always riled about every damn thing.
WHAT I THINK NOW: I still believe Floyd is capable of 'breaking out,' but even if he doesn't statistically blossom, he's proven he is a reliable and useful player at the NFL level that is less of a leader and more of an excellent versatile piece of a larger puzzle. Underwhelming in some respects, certainly, but he's still very young and his best may be yet to come.
Cody Whitehair, OL, Kansas State
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Whitehair's fall into the second round was fortuitous for the Bears, as he was a 1st grade talent that in other drafts would've perhaps been taken in the top 15. The way things worked out he tumbled because of his position. Bears got an incredible value, even if it wasn't a position of need.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Whitehair's a stud. He's not a god-tier All Pro regular, but he's most certainly a fringe Pro Bowl substitute who gives you 16 starts and can play either C or G. If injuries treat the Bears fairly in 2019, he will hopefully emerge as a Pro Bowler at LG, where arguably he should play worlds better than at C.
Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Bullard was celebrated internet-wide as a mega steal for the Bears, and as such we pinned fairly high hopes on Bullard to impress right out of the gate.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Bullard's been a disappointment, to say the least, regularly playing just good enough in preseason to keep his roster spot, but being of zero consequence in the regular season. He has flashes, but he's regularly outworked and outperformed for playing time by other more deserving linemen.
Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Kwiatkoski was heralded as a big impact guy, special teams prowess, tackling skills off the chart, good character. His name may not have stood out on some draftniks tongues, but his tape showed he could be a very good fit on this defense.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Kwiatkoski is serviceable when healthy, and has met expectations regarding his tackling ability and utility in multiple facets of defense and special teams. He does have slight durability concerns, but showed that he could be a decent starter, even if his ultimate role is a backup and special teams mainstay. His numbers aren't sexy, but they are befitting a player of his role.
Deon Bush, S, Miami
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Bush seemed like he could be a halfway decent starter in a few years after bringing some life into special teams with his knack for sniffing out the ball and dishing out big hits.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Bush has been steadily improving after some really unimpressive seasons, but he's not going to be long for the roster if he can't impress in preseason. Clinton-Dix was signed in part because Bush was nowhere near talented enough to replace Amos, and honestly Bush may be dismissed in the preseason cut-downs should others come out of nowhere to impress coaches during exhibition. He's simply not a game-changer, nor is he consistent, but Bush is nowhere near unskilled enough to call him a "bust."
Deiondre’ Hall, DB, Northern Iowa
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Hall had great size and a solid resume. Taken along with Bush to be a tandem of the future for Ryan Pace's defensive backs.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Hall's been mostly forgettable. He had a pick his first season, but in years since has scraped by along the bottom of the roster bubble. Like Bush, Hall has succeeded in factors such as work ethic, locker room culture, and non-statistical utility, but has failed to distinguish himself.
Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Howard's selection brought a lot of excitement, particularly for a guy in such a late round. The guy was the blue-collar no-bullshit hustler that wins Chicagoans over pretty easily, and the franchise was ready for such a guy. Jeremy Langford was his only competition entering the season, and he had some red flags that made Howard's selection a crucial get.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Howard is obviously the star pick of this draft, and while he did have some issues becoming the swingback that Nagy favors, he showed throughout his entire Bears career that if you give him a competent offensive line and let him carry the ball a few dozen times a game, he'll wear opponents into dust. It sucks he's out in Philly, but the Bears had their reasons for moving on. In time we can recall Jordan Howard as one of the best the franchise has known in the 21st century.
Round 6, pick 185:
Deandre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary
Round 7, pick 230:
Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan
I have no thoughts on either of these guys.
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WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Really liked the pick, as Floyd was a dynamic pass-rushing presence, had an intriguing frame and leadership qualities the Bears needed. The trade up to get him had fans a bit riled, but fans are always riled about every damn thing.
WHAT I THINK NOW: I still believe Floyd is capable of 'breaking out,' but even if he doesn't statistically blossom, he's proven he is a reliable and useful player at the NFL level that is less of a leader and more of an excellent versatile piece of a larger puzzle. Underwhelming in some respects, certainly, but he's still very young and his best may be yet to come.
Cody Whitehair, OL, Kansas State
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Whitehair's fall into the second round was fortuitous for the Bears, as he was a 1st grade talent that in other drafts would've perhaps been taken in the top 15. The way things worked out he tumbled because of his position. Bears got an incredible value, even if it wasn't a position of need.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Whitehair's a stud. He's not a god-tier All Pro regular, but he's most certainly a fringe Pro Bowl substitute who gives you 16 starts and can play either C or G. If injuries treat the Bears fairly in 2019, he will hopefully emerge as a Pro Bowler at LG, where arguably he should play worlds better than at C.
Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Bullard was celebrated internet-wide as a mega steal for the Bears, and as such we pinned fairly high hopes on Bullard to impress right out of the gate.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Bullard's been a disappointment, to say the least, regularly playing just good enough in preseason to keep his roster spot, but being of zero consequence in the regular season. He has flashes, but he's regularly outworked and outperformed for playing time by other more deserving linemen.
Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Kwiatkoski was heralded as a big impact guy, special teams prowess, tackling skills off the chart, good character. His name may not have stood out on some draftniks tongues, but his tape showed he could be a very good fit on this defense.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Kwiatkoski is serviceable when healthy, and has met expectations regarding his tackling ability and utility in multiple facets of defense and special teams. He does have slight durability concerns, but showed that he could be a decent starter, even if his ultimate role is a backup and special teams mainstay. His numbers aren't sexy, but they are befitting a player of his role.
Deon Bush, S, Miami
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Bush seemed like he could be a halfway decent starter in a few years after bringing some life into special teams with his knack for sniffing out the ball and dishing out big hits.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Bush has been steadily improving after some really unimpressive seasons, but he's not going to be long for the roster if he can't impress in preseason. Clinton-Dix was signed in part because Bush was nowhere near talented enough to replace Amos, and honestly Bush may be dismissed in the preseason cut-downs should others come out of nowhere to impress coaches during exhibition. He's simply not a game-changer, nor is he consistent, but Bush is nowhere near unskilled enough to call him a "bust."
Deiondre’ Hall, DB, Northern Iowa
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Hall had great size and a solid resume. Taken along with Bush to be a tandem of the future for Ryan Pace's defensive backs.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Hall's been mostly forgettable. He had a pick his first season, but in years since has scraped by along the bottom of the roster bubble. Like Bush, Hall has succeeded in factors such as work ethic, locker room culture, and non-statistical utility, but has failed to distinguish himself.
Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
WHAT I THOUGHT THEN: Howard's selection brought a lot of excitement, particularly for a guy in such a late round. The guy was the blue-collar no-bullshit hustler that wins Chicagoans over pretty easily, and the franchise was ready for such a guy. Jeremy Langford was his only competition entering the season, and he had some red flags that made Howard's selection a crucial get.
WHAT I THINK NOW: Howard is obviously the star pick of this draft, and while he did have some issues becoming the swingback that Nagy favors, he showed throughout his entire Bears career that if you give him a competent offensive line and let him carry the ball a few dozen times a game, he'll wear opponents into dust. It sucks he's out in Philly, but the Bears had their reasons for moving on. In time we can recall Jordan Howard as one of the best the franchise has known in the 21st century.
Round 6, pick 185:
Deandre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary
Round 7, pick 230:
Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan
I have no thoughts on either of these guys.
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