The Bears Still Need A Safety, Charles Graves Is A Safety
Before the NFL Draft, every prospect is a stud. Am I right, every fan of every team? So once a week, until the Draft, we will highlight one prospect we think could really be a stud in navy blue and burnt orange. This week: Charles Graves, FS, Delaware.
It remains mightily unclear what exactly the Chicago Bears plan to do about their free safety problem. And by problem, I of course mean their lack of a good one. There is hope that their free agency splurge isn’t over yet, and that it could still cede Darren Sharper or, more desirably, O.J. Atogwe. Whoever it is, I shudder to think that re-signing Josh Bullocks is their end-all response.
Delaware free safety Charles Graves won’t be drafted in the first three rounds. In fact, he’s just a little known, under-the-radar prospect from a small Division I-AA school. So, yeah, he’s basically like every safety the Bears have drafted since 2001. But supposedly, his stock is on the rise (there wouldn’t be a green up-arrow next to his name here, if it wasn’t!). He’s a playmaker, too. In 42 career games, he has 10 interceptions, including four last year (of which one was summarily returned 90 yards for a touchdown).
When it comes to drafting safeties, Bears fans have seen more gambling than a blackjack dealer. So, why would this make any sense? More or less, because we’re probably going O-line in Round 3, when top safety prospects, like Major Wright and Larry Asante, will be targeted. Other than that, it makes no sense. No sense at all.
Here is Graves, talking about stuff.
Tale Of The Tape
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs.
40 Time: 4.56
Accolades: 2009 AP FCS Second Team All-American, 2009 Walter Camp FCS All-American, 2009 AFCA FCS All America Team, 2009 Buck Buchanan Award Candidate Finalist, leads school in career interceptions.
Stats: 2009: 69 tackles, 4 INT, 2.5 tackles, 1 sack, 3 PBU, 1 fumble recovery.
Strengths
Consistent, plays best against top competition, natural leader.
Weaknesses
Small-school prospect, smallish frame, raw.
Who Would He Replace
Uh, maybe no one initially. Eventually, on the other hand, take your pick.
Best Intangible Quality
Consistency. Graves led the Blue Hens in, both, tackles and interceptions the last two years.
Likelihood Bears Will Draft Him (0-10)
6
Completely Random Guess Where He’ll Go
Jacksonville Jaguars
I think the Bears should make it a practice of taking any and all prospects out of Delaware. Fightin’ Blue Hens REP-RE-SENT!!!!!!!!!!!!