Chicago Bears Select Shea McClellin LB Boise State Live Draft Grade

Everyone knew the Bears were looking at a defensive front seven player, but they made a surprising pick when they took the athletic and versatile Shea McClelling the LB out of Boise State. McClellin flew up the draft board towards the end of the pre-draft process because he is a better athlete than given credit for and he has a non-stop motor. The issue here is McClellin seems much more like a natural 34 OLB, and not really a Tampa 2 type player. McClellin is going to play the SAM linebacker position for the Bears, perhaps in a Von Miller type role. Or they might try to move him to Defensive end. He’s not Clay Matthews.

Live Draft Grade:

C-/D+

McClellin, loved by the league or not, is still a late second round player to me. I think he’s going to struggle to make a lot of big plays in the N.F.L.  level. I also think this is a bad system fit. So a reach and not a great system fit.