Although the Chicago Bears finished with the worst record in the NFL last season, optimism remains high within the organization. The team lost eight of their games by ten points or less, so they were in plenty of games throughout the season. However, Chicago could not find that extra oomph to win games in crunch time.
That extra boost has been found in the offseason after the Bears traded the #1 pick to the Carolina Panthers for picks and WR D.J. Moore. Then, Chicago received an extra pick in next year's draft by moving down from 9 to 10. Plus, the Bears went bonkers in free agency by signing linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, offensive lineman Nate Davis, TE Robert Tonyan, and running backs D'Onta Foreman and Travis Homer.
Nevertheless, Chicago still has many holes to fill. After the wheeling and dealing of Bears GM Ryan Poles, the team ended up with 10 picks in this year's NFL Draft. Here is a look at the selections.
Round 1, Pick 10: Darnell Wright - OT - Tennessee. 6'5", 333 lbs.
Wright ended up on the All-SEC first team at right tackle. He is able to play at either left tackle or right tackle. Wright will start right away on the offensive line.
Round 2, Pick 22: Gervon Dexter Sr. - DT - Florida. 6'6", 310 lbs (55 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT).
Dexter is the type of run-stuffing defensive tackle that the Bears need at this time because they finished 31st in rushing defense. He will be given every opportunity to start this season.
Round 2, Pick 25: Tyrique Stevenson - CB - Miami (FL). 6'0", 198 lbs (7 pass breakups, 2 INT).
Stevenson has the strength to deal with bigger receivers. He should see plenty of time as a back-up cornerback.
Round 3, Pick 1: Zacch Pickens - DT - South Carolina. 6'4", 291 lbs (42 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 batted down passes).
Pickens will add depth at defensive tackle in order for the Bears to be able to bring more pressure up the middle.
Round 4, Pick 13: Roschon Johnson - RB - Texas. 6'0", 219 lbs (554 yds rushing, 5 TD, 128 recv yds, 1 TD).
Johnson adds depth at running back behind Khalil Herbert and Foreman.
Round 4, Pick 31: Tyler Scott - WR - Cincinnati. 5'10", 177 lbs (54 rec, 899 yds, 9 TD).
Scott will be a long-distance threat in the Bears passing game in multiple receiver sets with Moore and Darnell Mooney.
Round 5, Pick 13: Noah Sewell - LB - Oregon. 6'1 1/2", 246 lbs (56 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 pass breakups).
If Sewell is able to find his form from two years ago (114 tackles in 2021), then he will be a valuable back-up inside linebacker.
Round 5, Pick 30: Terrell Smith - CB - Minnesota. 6'0 1/2", 204 lbs (4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 5 pass breakups).
Smith could possibly see some time in nickel packages as a blitzer or in coverage against taller receivers.
Round 7, Pick 1: Travis Bell - DT - Kennesaw State. 6'0", 310 lbs (5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 blocked kick).
Bell will be given time to develop since two defensive tackles were drafted ahead of him.
Round 7, Pick 41: Kendall Williamson - DB - Stanford. 6'0", 203 lbs (50 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups).
Williamson will be given time to develop since two defensive backs were drafted ahead of him.
Overview: The Bears increased their depth at defensive tackle and in the secondary, but they really needed to draft a pass rusher with one of these picks. Grade: C+.
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