2014 NFL Draft grades: Chicago Bears select Kyle Fuller

The Chicago Bears drafted Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller with the 14th pick in the 2014 draft.

The Bears had been pegged to take Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald ever since he dominated at the Senior Bowl after a highly-decorated final season with the Panthers and equally impressive showing at the NFL combine, but he was taken one pick before the Bears to the St. Louis Rams.

With Donald off the board, the Bears had their choice of the top safety in the draft between Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor or the No. 2 cornerback in the draft and went with Fuller who could initially play safety and shift to cornerback when Charles Tillman’s contract expires after next season.

Fuller has been a name that crept into the conversation in recent weeks following a visit to Halas Hall and bringing some versatility and great length at the position.

The Bears were going defense in this draft, but the player and the position remained in flux with cornerback, safety and even linebacker all possibilities.

Considering Tim Jennings and Tillman are advanced in age and Tillman has one year left on his deal, the drafting of the 6-foot, 190-pound Fuller who runs a 4.49 40 gives the team a corner of the future and perhaps a free safety of the present.

Mike Mayock said Fuller is the cornerback most ready to play in the NFL, so you have to love the pick. He can play nickel, outside or at safety and considering the quality quarterbacks in the division, you have to shore up the secondary.

Donald would have been a grand slam, but Fuller is at least a two-run home run.

Grade: A-