The Chicago Bears drafted 10 avid gamers in ultimate month’s NFL draft, from Darnell Wright at No. 10 to Kendall Williamson at No. 258. The Tribune spoke to each draft select’s faculty coach for additional notion.
No. 10: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Bears beloved what they observed from Darnell Wright that day on the Tennessee campus, and three weeks later they made him the No. 10 select throughout the draft, locking him in as a doable starter for his rookie season and previous.
Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee labored with Wright for two seasons and sees high-end NFL potential for the big cope with. Elarbee spoke to the Tribune not too way back to provide notion into Wright’s sport and wiring. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 53: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
Basic supervisor Ryan Poles handed on the consensus most interesting defensive cope with throughout the draft — Georgia’s Jalen Carter — and that switch shall be evaluated for some time. However the Bears purchased a youthful participant with upside on the place throughout the second spherical, deciding on Florida’s Gervon Dexter with the 53rd select.
David Turner, at current the defensive place coach at Mississippi State, coached that place for the Gators from 2019 by way of 2021. He was part of not solely recruiting Dexter, however moreover instructing him for Dexter’s first two seasons in Gainesville, Fla.
Turner spoke to the Tribune not too way back to provide notion into Dexter’s sport and the way in which he initiatives throughout the NFL. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 56: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Basic supervisor Ryan Poles has made various strikes to boost the Bears secondary since he took over in January 2022. In ultimate yr’s draft, he added cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker throughout the second spherical. And late ultimate month, he used one different second-round select on Tyrique Stevenson, a 6-foot, 198-pound cornerback who carried out two seasons at Georgia and two at Miami.
Now Stevenson is anticipated to compete for having fun with time at nook with Gordon and Jaylon Johnson.
Miami secondary coach Jahmile Addae coached Stevenson for his remaining season with the Hurricanes, all through which Stevenson had two interceptions and 9 passes defended.
Addae spoke with the Tribune this month to share his experiences working with Stevenson. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
The Bears weren’t primarily making an attempt to double-dip at defensive cope with on Day 2 of the NFL draft. That’s merely the way in which it labored, and now they’ve a possibility to rebuild the doorway with youth from the inside out.
The Bears chosen South Carolina defensive cope with Zacch Pickens with the first variety of Spherical 3 (No. 64), 9 picks after selecting Florida’s Gervon Dexter. Whereas it could appear redundant, veterans Justin Jones and Andrew Billings are on one-year contracts and with out future selections on the place, the Bears practically assuredly would have been signing or drafting tackles subsequent offseason.
Pickens had a career-high 42 tackles for the Gamecocks ultimate season with 2½ sacks, and his disruptive first step supplies hope he can improve the within cross rush.
Jimmy Lindsey, South Carolina’s defensive place coach the ultimate two seasons and now at LSU, spoke to the Tribune about Pickens’ progress proper right into a draft prospect. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 115: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Bears regular supervisor Ryan Poles talked about he was “shocked” working once more Roschon Johnson was nonetheless on the board when the Bears drafted him throughout the fourth spherical ultimate month. The Bears take into account they’re bringing in a participant who can also assist them in some methods on and off the sector.
Texas working backs coach Tashard Selection observed all of the strategies Johnson can impact a bunch as Johnson totaled 93 carries for 554 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022 as a result of the backup to Bijan Robinson — the No. 8 select throughout the draft.
Selection spoke not too way back to the Tribune about what sort of participant and chief Johnson will likely be for the Bears. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 133: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Velocity. That’s the first phrase on every scouting report for Bears rookie in depth receiver Tyler Scott. A fifth-round select in ultimate month’s draft, Scott was a Junior Olympian in observe as a baby together with being a burner as a highschool working once more.
After he purchased to highschool at Cincinnati, he remodeled to in depth receiver and ultimate season produced 54 catches, 899 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Bearcats.
The Bears felt fortunate to pick Scott as late as they did (No. 133) and envision him turning into a dynamic weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. Former Cincinnati receivers coach Mike Brown, who’s now at Wisconsin, can’t say ample about Scott’s velocity and methodology to the game.
Brown spoke to the Tribune not too way back to relay his experience with Scott and supply notion on the rookie’s expertise set. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 148: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Rookie Noah Sewell joins the Bears at an intriguing time throughout the linebackers room.
Earlier than the Bears drafted Sewell out of Oregon throughout the fifth spherical, regular supervisor Ryan Poles signed free brokers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards to affix second-year linebacker Jack Sanborn. Now Sewell arrives in order so as to add depth to the place.
Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi labored with Sewell for his remaining season with the Geese as he wrapped up a three-year career that included 215 tackles, 20½ tackles for a loss, 7½ sacks, two interceptions, 11 passes defended and three compelled fumbles.
Lupoi spoke not too way back with the Tribune about Sewell’s strengths and potential. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 165: Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota
With a necessity for depth at cornerback to affix Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, the Chicago Bears drafted Tyrique Stevenson throughout the second spherical and circled once more for Minnesota’s Terell Smith in Spherical 5 at No. 165 common.
Standard contemplating is Stevenson will get the first shot to be a starter throughout the nickel bundle deal, nonetheless the Bears take into account Smith has upside and might compete to be throughout the mix.
“What’s particular about him is he’s form of made that regular ascent?” co-director of participant personnel Trey Koziol talked about. “So, after we have a look at drafting gamers, it’s like, can you continue to get extra out of them? Are they nonetheless on that developmental upswing? And I believe that’s the place Terell actually stood out.”
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck described Smith as a participant who was at all times pushing to reinforce. Fleck spoke to the Tribune regarding the cornerback’s progress and prospects for an professional career. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 218: Travis Bell, DT, Kennesaw State
Even after selecting two defensive tackles on Day 2 of the NFL draft, Bears regular supervisor Ryan Poles couldn’t resist the possibility to scoop up a third.
There was an extreme quantity of about Travis Bell’s make-up and hustle that drew Poles to the participant, so the Bears chosen him throughout the seventh spherical with the No. 218 select, together with a developmental participant from the FCS stage to the place group.
“That is most likely one in every of my favourite human beings,” Poles talked about of the Kennesaw State product. “He’s a particular particular person. I didn’t need him to depart after his 30 go to and he didn’t need to depart both. There’s one thing totally different about this man. He’s passionate in regards to the recreation.”
Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon described a similar affinity for Bell and what he meant to the varsity’s program. Bohannon spoke to the Tribune regarding the defensive cope with’s progress and prospects for an professional career. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S, Stanford
One among most likely essentially the most impactful draft picks Ryan Poles made in his first yr as Bears regular supervisor was deciding on safety Jaquan Brisker throughout the second spherical of the 2022 draft.
Poles waited until the seventh spherical to pick a safety this yr, drafting Stanford’s Kendall Williamson with the 258th select, citing his velocity and range.
Whereas the Bears plugged in Brisker immediately, they shouldn’t should stress Williamson onto the sector with veteran Eddie Jackson nonetheless in place. However the Bears should plan for the long run and create a depth chart, and Williamson’s traits make him a doable core specific teams performer for coordinator Richard Hightower.
Over the ultimate two seasons, Williamson totaled 117 tackles, six tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception, 9 passes defended and two compelled fumbles.
Lars Anderson, Stanford’s defensive coordinator all through Williamson’s 5 years on the college, spoke to the Tribune regarding the safety’s progress and prospects for an professional career. Learn additional proper right here.
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