Josh Beekman
Guard, Boston College
Fact: Beekman regularly played both guard and center — in the same game. His coaches instituted a rotation last season in which Beekman started at guard and moved inside to center every third series.
Why guard? The offensive line has age at both spots, with Ruben Brown good for one more year and Roberto Garza solid but entering his seventh season. Terrence Metcalf has not been able to establish himself as a starter or the obvious successor at any of the three interior positions.
Why this lineman? Beekman’s ability to play guard and center makes him a safe pick as a blocker many had rated as a first-day talent. He projects as a starter eventually.
Affects whom? Metcalf and Garza have long-term contracts at team-friendly prices, and Brown likely is finishing his career in Chicago, so no one is immediately at risk. The Bears want to keep eight linemen, including center Olin Kreutz and three tackles. If Beekman can play both guard and center, the Bears will have options.
Quotable: Beekman corrected a report that he hadn’t given up a sack in college. “But I didn’t give up too many in my career.”
— John Mullin
Kevin Payne
Safety, Louisiana-Monroe
Fact: When Chris Harris graduated from Louisiana-Monroe in 2005, the coaching staff switched Payne from running back to the defensive secondary to make up for the loss. Payne will get another chance at replacing Harris as the backup strong safety behind Adam Archuleta. “He’s a very physical player in the box,” said Greg Gabriel, the Bears’ scouting director.
Why safety? Bears are still looking for playmakers and depth at the position to guard against Mike Brown’s durability issues and Harris’ and Danieal Manning’s late-season susceptibility to big plays.
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Why this safety? Payne is a tough, physical player whose experience at running back proved how versatile he can be. In making 87 tackles and intercepting two passes for Louisiana-Monroe, he showed enough toughness that he could one day project as an outside linebacker in a scheme that values speed over size such as the Bears’. He also punted in high school.
Affects whom? Harris might be on the spot immediately, and Brandon McGowan, recovering from a knee injury, can’t afford to get hurt again.
Quotable: “I don’t fear nobody. I lay it all on the line.” — Payne
— David Haugh
Corey Graham
Cornerback, New Hampshire
Fact: Graham had one of his best games against Northwestern last season, with eight tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. He comes from the same program as ex-Bear Jerry Azumah, a Payton Award winner as a running back. Graham scored 22 TDs as a running back as a high school senior.
Why cornerback? The Bears will carry extra defensive backs on the roster if they can play special teams, and there is no way to have too many corners in the pipeline with Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher in the final years of their contracts.
Why this cornerback? Graham has good size (6-0, 195) and 4.4 speed and a willingness to make tackles in run support. The Bears like his versatility in pass coverage. He also can return kickoffs, averaging 28.6 yards as a sophomore with two career TD returns.
Affects whom? The Bears are set at the top of the depth chart with Tillman, Vasher and Ricky Manning Jr. Graham can secure a roster spot with a good training camp and some impact plays on special teams.
Quotable: “Special teams is a good thing for me, something I’ve done my whole career and something I look forward to doing.” — Graham
— John Mullin
Trumaine McBride
Cornerback, Mississippi
Fact: McBride was the shortest cornerback in the draft, according to NFL.com. He played mostly man-to-man coverage at Mississippi against SEC competition, but his size (5-9, 185) makes him a better fit for the Bears’ zone-oriented Cover-2.
Why cornerback? At this stage of the seventh round, the Bears simply wanted a player capable of filling in on special teams who might create competition for a backup cornerback spot.
Why this cornerback? McBride is described as a film junkie whose limited size and speed suits him for Cover-2 defenses such as the Bears, who play more zone. He started 33 straight games at Ole Miss but intercepted just four passes, so he’s not going to be stealing Nathan Vasher’s “Interceptor” nickname anytime soon.
Affects whom? Probably only equipment manager Tony Medlin, who is responsible for placing the names on the lockers. Second-team cornerbacks Dante Wesley and Ricky Manning Jr. are in no danger. McBride’s father, Terry, likes the pick because he lives in Chicago.
Quotable: “He’s not very big, but he packs a wallop.” — Greg Gabriel, Bears director of college scouting
— David Haugh
Aaron Brant
Offensive tackle, Iowa State
Fact: Brant, 6-6 and 320 pounds, is a marketing major with a minor in criminal justice.
Why a tackle? The Bears have been pleased with the tackle corps of Fred Miller, John Tait and backup John St. Clair. But Miller and Tait have 20 years of NFL mileage on them, and tackle is a position that takes time to develop.
Why this tackle? Brant was all-conference two seasons for the Cyclones and has also played some guard. He was primarily a right tackle during his four seasons at Iowa State. The Bears saw enough to feel that he could develop into an NFL player.
Affects whom? Probably not any of the top three this season unless Brant displays quicker feet than he did in college. Former Notre Dame tackle Mark LeVoir was on the Bears’ practice squad last season and will be expected to take another step up or lose that spot to someone (like Brant) who may have more upside.
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Quotable: “Ever since my freshman year, I went up against guys like Tommie Harris and a lot of players from Texas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. I mean, there is a lot of skill level out there, a lot of talent. I have seen a lot of players in my time.” — Brant
— John Mullin