TOP PROSPECTS FOR 1991

For the last few years, people have been saying the current draftwas the worst in recent memory. This year they really mean it. EvenBears personnel director Bill Tobin, who called each of the last fewdrafts "about average," is saying this one is below average.

Pro Football Weekly projected what this draft would have lookedlike if underclassmen had not been drafted last year. Seven of thetop eight were last year's underclassmen. Only Notre Dame's RaghibIsmail, the one highly touted underclassman this year, made the topeight.

But the NFL will allocate its new players with all the usualfanfare today and tomorrow. Rookies will win roster spots in thesummer, as always. The best bets to do so are the ones who go in thefirst three rounds. Most of the prospects rated in that range arelisted below.

The strongest position is wide receiver, with halfback,defensive back and quarterback coming next. Of the Bears'first-round preferences, offensive linemen are better than defensivelinemen, but defensive linemen are one of the draft's biggestweaknesses.

The following grades were based on evaluations of pro footballpersonnel specialists.