#ProTops: What They’re Saying About Joel Iyiegbuniwe Getting Drafted by the Bears
If there’s anything that’s more guaranteed than a pre-draft mock, it’s post draft grades! In fact, there may very well be more of the latter than the former.
Anyway, lets take a look at what those post-draft grades said about the Bears.
CBS Sports: B+
More speed at the LB spot. Hybrid safety. Needs to get stronger and better at defeating blocks.
Bleacher Report: C
Iyiegbuniwe recorded 116 tackles for the Hilltoppers last season and performed well at the combine. He runs well and can play in space, making him an athletic-upside pick who can be useful in pass coverage. […]
Bears Wire (USA TODAY): D
It’s hard imagining much of a role for him, especially with the selection of Roquan Smith in the first round. The starting inside linebackers are set, and with Nick Kwiatkoski the likely top reserve, Iyiegbuniwe will have to make his living on special teams.
WalterFootball: B
I had Joel Iyiegbuniwe in the third round to the Steelers, though I had them reaching a bit to address a need. This makes more sense, as Chicago needed another linebacker for depth purposes. They’re getting an athletic player who will at least play on special teams.
Windy City Gridiron: C
Iyiegbuniwe the pick and player is fine. Yeah, that’s it. He’s fine. If the Bears are taking two inside linebackers in one draft in the first four rounds, that clearly means they think it is their greatest position of need. Taking Iyiegbuniwe in the fourth means they believe he is a starter. […]
That…was a little more harsh than I was expecting. I thought more people would be in the mindset of Walter Football, but it appears it was a bit of a wasted pick by the Bears.
Also, a lot of those low grades aren’t necessarily on Iggy’s pro prospects moving forward, just that he may not be the best fit, or get the best look, in Chicago.
