| 26 April 2010
With their second selection in the 2010 NFL draft the Chicago Bears selected a local player they are extremely familiar with. Corey Wootton a defensive end from Northwestern University right here in the Chicagoland area was the Bears' fourth round pick and represented solid value for the fourth round.
Wootton is a big athletic defensive end who had his best season in 2008 for the Wildcats when he posted 10 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. From there his career never really had the type of production you'd prefer to see from a NFL caliber defensive end. That being said Wootton dealt with injury issues in 2009 never playing at 100-percent after knee surgery.
This represents a classic Jerry Angelo style selection a player who has shown a lot of potential but fell down the draft boards a bit because of injury concerns. Mark Anderson at Alabama, and Marcus Harrison from Arkansas both current Bears players both slid down draft board because of injury concerns where Angelo was able to snap them up.
During his pro day workout Wootton measured 6-foot-6 and weighed in at 272-pounds and ran 4.93 and 4.96 in the 40-yard dash. Not blazing speed for a DE pretty average speed for a player his size although it was reported not being quite 100-percent with his knee caused the slower times. His ten times after each forty were 1.66-seconds and 1.71-seconds respectively. Wootton’s short shuttle time was 4.28 seconds while his three cone time was an unofficial 7-seconds flat, a terrific mark. His other marks included a vertical jump of 32-inches and 9’0’’ in the broad. Fairly explosive numbers in each timed and measured workout for a defensive end it represents the type of talent that Angelo saw in Wooton.
Wootton's career numbers are average not eye popping they include 156 career tackles 19 sacks, 38 tackles for a loss for a four year starter.
Various scouting reports collected from around the web stated the following:
From DraftCountdown.com
Strengths:
Excellent size with a large frame and long arms --- Good athlete --- Nice range and mobility --- Terrific motor and pursues well --- Is strong and powerful --- Stout at the point of attack --- Excellent bull rusher --- A reliable tackler --- Disrupts passing lanes --- Is fluid and comfortable in space --- Smart with superb instincts and awareness --- Tough --- Hard Worker --- Leader --- Offers schematic versatility --- A lot of experience.
Weaknesses:
Average speed --- Not real quick or explosive and lacks a burst --- Isn't much of a pass rusher and repertoire of moves is limited --- Poor hand use --- Could stand to add some more weight --- Durability's a concern.
From NFLDraftScout.com:
Pass rush: Uses his 6-7 frame, long arms and good quickness to blow by collegiate right tackles on the outside. Can be violent with his hands to get the corner. Some suddenness on shake move to use an inside rush lane. If his man doesn't sustain, Wootton works his way back into the pocket to harass the quarterback. Lines up at tackle in third-down situations to use his quickness against interior linemen. Drops into zone coverage occasionally, and looks smooth moving down the line to cover tight ends in the flat. Athletic enough to have made four picks in his career. Uses his height to affect passing lanes when unable to reach the quarterback.
Run defense: Looks and plays a bit undersized, even at 265-270 pounds, because of height. Stays home to prevent against big misdirection plays, and keeps outside leverage to funnel backs inside to the linebackers. High cut, as you would expect at 6-7, and doesn't sink his hips for smooth lateral movement. However, he has the length and speed to chase down receivers and backs from behind if needed. Must use his hands more effectively to keep backs from cutting him - but manages to recover fairly quickly. Doesn't always chase down plays to his side, even when he has a chance at the tackle.
Explosion: Very quick off the snap for his size, partially because his long steps make up ground quickly. Could be a penetrating disruptor as a pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme because of his initial quickness. Doesn't show enough pop, however, to knock back NFL-caliber tackles on bull rushes or against the run.
Strength: Plays tall on the edge, but seems to keep leverage on run plays when lined straight-up. Only has average upper- and lower-body strength, which prevents him from bull rushing effectively or disengaging to make plays against the run. Gets carried out of the play or put to the ground when slanting or twisting.
Tackling: Uses his length to chase and drag down ballcarriers. Good burst to the ball when it is in his sights. Doesn't blow up runners in space because of his inability to drop and bring his hips. Pocket passers have no chance when he's coming after them, but he will miss elusive runners because he glances off their shoulder pads.
Intangibles: Team Most Valuable Player in 2008 was a locker room and on-field leader on defense again as a senior. Coaches like his work ethic, especially during his recent injury rehabilitation.
From NFL.com
Strengths:
Wootton is big and has a great amount of power for the defensive end spot. He excels in run defense using his long arms and toughness to disengage from blockers and make plays. Shows good instincts and intelligence when diagnosing at the line of scrimmage. Had some impressive previous production earlier in career.
Weaknesses:
Wootton only possesses average athleticism and isn't comfortable playing in space. Doesn't show the range to make plays away from him in the running game or the edge quickness to consistently get to the quarterback. Has some durability concerns (previous season ending neck injury, major knee injury).
The overall consensus on Wootton seems to be that he could be a left end prospect to replace Adewale Ogunleye who can get pressure on the QB but his primary initial impact will be as a run stopper.
Grading him as a Bears draft pick:
Value: B
Wootton has graded anywhere from a late first round pick to a third round draft pick meaning on average he's slotted as a second round talent. Grabbing a valuable pass rusher in the fourth represents high value and a smart target for Angelo. The injury concerns are likely over blown given that Wootton's injury occurred in the final game of of 2008 and it typically takes a full year to recover from ACL surgery.
Need: D
With Peppers, Idonije, Gilbert, Melton and Anderson representing five defensive ends on the roster Wootton isn't a pick that fits a position of need. His impact likely won't be felt during the 2010 season and it is quite likely with his injury issue he's a candidate for the Lovie Smith red shirt year. Unless he comes in and absolutely blows the doors off the place he'll likely have to get comfortable as an observer.
Overall grade: C+
While I most certainly like Wootton's high value as a prospect and his overall potential, I think the Bears could have gone in a different direction with this draft pick. Addressing the offensive line should have been the number one priority in the fourth round. The Bears grabbed their free safety in round three so the next logical prospect would have been an offensive guard. With Arkansas' Mitch Petrus still on the board rated in the third to fourth round range the Bears most certainly could have hit on solid value with this fourth round pick. Instead they stacked up even more depth at a position that seems to be over flowing with depth and represents one of the strongest positions of depth on the team.
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