Trumaine McBride isn’t the biggest CB around at 5′10″, 180 pounds and he isn’t the fastest player (4.55 40) but he’s really tough. He backs down from no one and could really be a decent nickel or dime back for the Bears because of their system. He also should be able to help on special teams as he’s a sure tackler. In 47 games (34 starts) at Mississippi, McBride made 124 tackles, broke up 31 passes and intercepted 4 passes that he returned 101 yards.

Corey Graham wasn’t expected to get drafted by many of the “experts”. That’s because many forecast him to be way too soft to get on the field defensively in the pros. But he is an elite return man even though the Bears already have one in Devin Hester. Graham is 5′11″, 198 pounds and he’s really, really fast as he runs a 4.38 40. In 42 games at New Hampshire, Graham made 302 tackles, forced 4 fumbles, recovered 3 fumbles, defensed 31 passes and intercepted 12 passes (185 return yards, 2 TDs). Graham returned 65 kickoffs for 1,787 yards (27.5 avg) with 3 TDs. He also returned 12 punts for 128 yards (10.7 avg). It will be interesting to see how the Bears use Graham as his pick seems to be a reach.

Kevin Payne began his career at Louisiana-Monroe at running back before he shifted to safety as a junior. He has a lot to learn as a safety but he’s more than athletic enough to handle the position physically. He is 6′0″, 215 pounds and he runs a 4.55 40. Payne will do anything to get better and he proved that in college as he turned into a solid college safety in only 2 years. Payne played in 23 games (21 starts) the last two season at UL-Monroe and he made 185 tackles, broke up 4 passes, had 6 interceptions (56 return yards), forced 2 fumbles and recovered a fumble. Look for Payne to be a backup safety while he learns on the job and a good special teams player from Day #1.

The Bears were looking to get some depth in their offensive line and Beekman should provide that. He has played some center but he’s a better guard. He is a good pass blocker as he always seems to be in front of his man. He will need to develop a nasty mean streak to go with his effort which is 100% all of the time. He played in 50 games for Boston College and started 39 of them. He has nice size at 6′1″, 315 pounds and he should be an eventual starter at guard for the Bears.

The Bears have signed Obafemi Ayanbadejo to a 1-year contract. Ayanbadejo is the classic fullback as he’s more of a blocker than a runner and he will likely fit in well with the Bears because of that. He played in 14 games last season for the Cardinals and he carried the ball 9 times for 37 yards (4.1 ypc) and he caught 17 passes for 139 yards (8.2 avg). He has played 8 seasons in the NFL covering 101 games. In those games, Ayanbadejo has carried the football 123 times for 413 yards (3.4 ypc) with 5 TD runs. He also has caught 130 passes for 885 yards (6.8 avg) with 3 TD grabs.