Bears draft pick capsules
Round 1/Selection 29 — Gabe Carimi, OT, 6-7, 314, Wisconsin
Four-year starter at left tackle for the Badgers. Had 49 starts, missing just three games in 2008 with a torn MCL in his right knee. Tough, smart and hard-working. Might be better suited at right tackle rather than left tackle to take advantage of his run blocking, but the consensus is that he could be in the starting lineup on opening day and has enough agility to contend for the OLT spot. Played against some of the best defensive ends in the country and acquitted himself well against Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan, Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn and Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward, all first-round draft picks Thursday. First team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten, consensus All-American and Outland Trophy winner as the top offensive lineman in the country. Long (35-inch) arms. Bench-pressed 225 pounds 29 times at the Combine. Civil engineering major. Attended Monona Grove H.S. near Madison.
Round 2/53 — Stephen Paea, DT, 6-1, 303, Oregon State
Did not play football until his final year of high school in Utah after emigrating from Tonga as a 16-year-old. Outstanding rugby player. With no scholarship offers, enrolled at Utah’s Snow Community College for two years but redshirted and played football for just one season. Came to Oregon State, was an immediate starter his first year and started 37 games in three seasons. Was the Pac-10’s defensive MVP last season, when he had 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. Fits more as a 3-technique tackle and is undersized for nose tackle, but the Bears believe he can handle the nose because of his superior strength. Bench pressed 225 pounds a Scouting Combine-record 49 times, and his strength carries over to the football field. Combination of strength and quickness makes him a disruptive force. Although not considered a great pass rusher, he had 14 sacks in three seasons. Attended Timpview H.S. in Provo. Born on the island of Vav’u in the Tongan Islands.
Round 3/93 — Chris Conte, S, 6-2½, 197, California
Played cornerback for three seasons, mostly as a backup, but switched to safety as a senior and became a full-time starter for the first time and was first-team All-Pac-10. Excellent height to match up with the biggest receivers but had only 2 career interceptions. Good speed (4.59 in the 40) but not great. Gets high marks for aggressiveness, tackling and run support but lacks some instincts and range as a free safety, where the Bears envision playing him. Has a frame big enough to add weight and has some experience as a cornerback but does not project to that position in the NFL. Third on the team with 72 tackles last season. Good athlete with a 35½-inch vertical and 10-foot-7-inch broad jump. Attended Loyola High School in Los Angeles.
Round 5/160 — Nathan Enderle, QB, 6-4, 240, Idaho
Four-year starter with a 17-29 won-loss record. Best season was as a junior, when he completed 61.5 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Had 22 TD passes last season but 16 interceptions with a weaker supporting cast. Played in a pro-style offense and is a student of the game and a hard worker on the field and in the meeting room with prototypical size and a strong arm. But he could do a much better job in the weight room. Does not do a good job of sensing or avoiding the rush and lacks the speed or athleticism to escape pressure. Considered a long-range project who will not be ready for prime time for a couple years. Was a college roommate of Bears FB Eddie Williams and served as best man at his wedding. Began as a pre-med student but graduated from the school of art and architecture. Also competed in baseball, basketball and track at North Platte (Neb.) High School.
Round 6/195 — J.T. Thomas, LB, 6-1, 241, West Virginia
Started all 39 games at weak-side linebacker in his final three seasons with the Mountaineers, earning All-Big East honors in 2009 and ’10. Finished second on the team in tackles in each of the past two seasons with 73 last season and 76 as a junior. Good speed (4.68 in the 40) and has decent cover ability but lacks the size and strength to take on blockers, although he did 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench at West Virginia’s pro day. Could immediately contribute on special teams and will need to if he makes the final roster. Father, J.T. Thomas Sr., played linebacker at West Virginia from 1994-95. Attended Blanche Ely H.S. in Pompano Beach, Fla., where he was friends with Bears CB Joshua Moore. Resides in Fort Lauderdale.
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