Massaquoi or Johnson: Should the Bears Draft a Receiver or a Safety?
Published by Max Kienzler on April 24, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears hold the 49th pick in the NFL Draft tomorrow. With it, most “experts” are predicting the Bears will be selecting either a safety or a receiver.
Now, as much as I hate to do it, I agree with those predictions. And for me, it comes down to two players.
Mohamed Massaquoi, a 6’2″, 198-pound receiver from the University of Georgia, is the ninth or 10th ranked receiver coming out of college.
While Bear fans have been clammering for the likes of Hakeem Nicks, Brian Robiskie, and Kenny Britt, in all likelihood those three will be gone by the time the Bears are up.
If that is the case, you have to make the argument between Massaquoi and Juaquin Iglesias from Oklahoma. BleacherReport writer Brett Solesky just did a very honest breakdown of Iglesias, which you can read here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/161136-prospect-preview-juaquin-iglesias.
You can make your own judgements, but I have seen Massaquoi, who puts in a lot of effort and just wants to win. He also looks very coachable and has great hands, a missing ingredient to the Bears current receiver options.
On the flip side, the argument has been made that safety is a much bigger concern than receiver.
Cutler makes our receivers better by being a better quarterback than Kyle Orton was, which makes sense. If so, the best choice would be safety Rashad Johnson, a fellow player in the SEC from the University of Alabama.
Johnson is smart and quick, with good instincts and loads of confidence—all of which is needed to be an NFL player. The only knock on him is his size really, coming in at 5’11” and weighing 203 pounds.
That said, he is the best option out there for the Bears at No 49. The only other choice could be SS William Moore out of the University of Missouri.
Moore had a fantastic junior year, but by all accounts, fell off a little bit in his senior campaign. He did have some injuries his senior season to excuse some lack of production, but it also raises the issue of durability.
No, the choice here should come down to Massaquoi or Johnson. Both would be good fits and both are needed on the Bears.
The only real question is, which position does the Bears “brain trust” feel is more important: a weapon for Cutler to throw to, or a weapon that will help get Cutler back on the field quicker?
I personally vote Massaquoi, but will be happy if we select either.
I will not be happy if the Bears management decides it wants to be obnoxious and select another defensive lineman out of a nowhere college.
General manager Jerry Angelo has been known to pull that cute move.
