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Draft capsules of current Bears players

Ever wonder what the draft publications were saying about future Bears players before they left their college campuses? We dusted off some old Pro Football Weekly draft guides, searched for familiar names and found out. Read the following capsules and see just how accurate they were.

Charles Tillman, CB, La. Lafayette
Second round, 2003 (35th overall)
"Big, durable corner with very good size, adequate speed, good hands and range. Better when playing in a trail position. Good tackler who plays the run well. Leader with good character. Has tight hips for a cornerback and marginal football intelligence. Is an average hitter who can lack body control. Experienced, versatile corner who could fit in a cover-2 scheme and has a lot of upside."

Lance Briggs, LB, Arizona
Third round, 2003 (68th overall)
"Productive three-year starter with good intangibles. Hustles and plays hard. Has good speed and range. Has some ability to take on blockers and is good at slipping off them. There are teams who like Briggs as high as the second round, but question his toughness because he seems unwilling to take on blocks. Good enough to make a team and contribute, but might never provide what teams are looking for in a starter."

Jared Allen, DE, Idaho State
Fourth round, 2004 (126th overall by Chiefs)
"Dominant Division I-AA player with outstanding production. High-motor, energetic player with good on-field leadership qualities. Frame to add and hold additional weight and move inside to defensive tackle. An excellent long-snapper. Lacks the initial quickness and burst to beat NFL offensive tackles. Lacks playing strength and bulk. Not sudden or explosive. Will have to gain additional weight and move inside."

Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
First round, 2006 (11th overall by Broncos)
"Has good size, strength and athletic ability and looks every bit the part. Has a cannon of an arm that allows him to improvise and get out of trouble. Throws a tight spiral, generates great velocity on his ball and can drill the deep out. Relies too much on his big arm and throws off his back foot when he does not have to. Has all the physical tools teams look for in a quarterback, and almost all of his flaws are correctable."

Tim Jennings, CB, Georgia
Second round, 2006 (62nd overall by Colts)
"Very feisty competitor who shows the top-end burst to break on the ball and make plays. Has good instincts. Plays fast and explosive and can pop out of his breaks, accelerate and catch the ball. Has good hands. Is too short to match up easily with NFL receivers and is at a natural disadvantage. Scrappy, undersized cover corner with the foot quickness, burst and recovery speed to become a solid nickel back and special-teams contributor."

Brandon Marshall, WR, Central Florida
Fourth round, 2006 (120th overall by Broncos)
"Has a big, physical frame and can go up high and sky for the ball. Has long arms and gives quarterbacks a big target Uses his body well to shield defenders and secure the ball. Can extend high and snag it with natural hands. Can be very physically imposing and provide match-up problems for a defense Ideal West Coast receiver with striking similarities to 49ers 1996 third-rounder Terrell Owens and ought to be drafted in the same place."

Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
Second round, 2008 (44th overall)
"Runs hard between the tackles and follows his blocks. Shows good feet to sidestep the first defender and make a tackler miss in the hole. Runs decisively and can drop his pads and drive through arm tackles. Always falls forward. Is surprisingly light on his feet for his size. Good instincts and feel for the game. Reliable hands. Willing blocker. Great work ethic. Tough and competitive. A big, strong, hard-charging, upright, one-cut runner."

Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
Second round, 2008 (61st overall by Cowboys)
"Very natural athlete with big hands and long arms. Moves fluidly, is very light on his feet and adjusts easily to the ball. Good agility and flexibility. Can pluck the ball out of the air. Flashes the agility to sidestep tacklers after the catch but will also turn upfield and run with some power. Can control and steer defenders with his hands, Loaded with upside. Not a blazer. Lacks suddenness."

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Second round, 2012 (45th overall)
"Outstanding size and arm length to climb the ladder and outmuscle defensive backs. Attacks the ball in the air and can pluck it away from a crowd. Offers a big target and wide catching radius, and snatches the ball out of the air. Good run strength. Is physically tough and will play through injuries. Outstanding career production. Strong red-zone producer. Not elusive after the catch. Work habits and discipline can improve."

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