Needing to improve the quality of their defensive line, the Bears took Jarron Gilbert out of San Jose State in Round 3 of the NFL draft Sunday morning. Gilbert boasts an impressive athletic background, as he played both tackle and end during college. He has the size (6-foot-5, 288 pounds) and speed (4.87-second 40-yard dash) to play either position here in Chicago.
"He brings a lot of versatility," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "We really didn't expect him to be there."
Gilbert might not look the part of a prototypical Bears defensive lineman, but Angelo was undeterred.
"He can play end, but I also like him inside as an under tackle. I feel he's got rare athleticism in terms of the body coordination; his hand usage is exceptional. He's also extremely intelligent, and that intelligence transfers to the football field in terms of his instincts."
Gilbert became a YouTube sensation after being recorded jumping out of the shallow end of a swimming pool and landing on his feet.
Considering the Bears' injury issues inside with Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek, plus the expiring contracts of Izzy Idonije, Adewale Ogunleye and potentially Mark Anderson (barring an uncapped year), this pick makes a lot of sense.
Other notes from the beginning of Day 2:
With the first pick of the second round, the New York Jets selected Iowa running back Shonn Greene. Was that a message to the unhappy Thomas Jones?
Iowa cornerback Bradley Fletcher came off the board at No. 67 to the St. Louis Rams. The Bears met with Fletcher at the combine, and he was said to be fairly high on their draft board.
Kansas City took Purdue defensive tackle Alex Magee at No. 68. Magee would have fit nicely in the Bears' defensive system.