Matt Forte SELECTED BY: Chicago Bears Round 2(13)

SI Grade 3.85 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Full-time starter the past two seasons after seeing extensive action with the first team during his freshman and sophomore campaigns. Awarded All-Conference and All-American honors last year after posting 361/2127/23 with 32/282 as a receiver. Junior-year totals included 163/859/8 on the ground with 28/360/2 as a pass-catcher.

POSITIVES: Nice-sized interior runner who took his game to another level last year. Patient, runs with good vision, and picks his way through the inside. Finds the open lanes on the field, rarely brought down by the first defender, and breaks several tackles. Picks up yardage off initial contact. Runs with good lean, shows surprising agility around the corner, and gets through the tight creases of the defense. Runs hard on the inside delivering blows and even makes defenders miss in a small area. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes and an adequate receiver out of the backfield. Picks up blocking assignments.

NEGATIVES: Cannot run to daylight in the open field and possesses just an average burst. Not a creative runner who makes something out of nothing.

ANALYSIS: Forte is a running back who carries the ball with authority, displaying both strength and football instincts. He does the little things well and has enough skill to develop into a starter at the next level.