The Chicago Bears drafted 10 avid gamers in closing month’s NFL draft, from Darnell Wright at No. 10 to Kendall Williamson at No. 258. The Tribune spoke to each draft select’s college coach for additional notion.
No. 10: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Bears beloved what they seen from Darnell Wright that day on the Tennessee campus, and three weeks later they made him the No. 10 select inside 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 take care of. 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
Common supervisor Ryan Poles handed on the consensus best defensive take care of inside 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 inside the second spherical, choosing 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 educating 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 best way he initiatives inside the NFL. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 56: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Common supervisor Ryan Poles has made quite a few strikes to boost the Bears secondary since he took over in January 2022. In closing yr’s draft, he added cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker inside the second spherical. And late closing 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 attempting to double-dip at defensive take care of on Day 2 of the NFL draft. That’s merely the best way it labored, and now they’ve a chance to rebuild the doorway with youth from the inside out.
The Bears chosen South Carolina defensive take care of 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 decisions 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 closing season with 2½ sacks, and his disruptive first step supplies hope he can enhance 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’ development 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 inside the fourth spherical closing month. The Bears think about they’re bringing in a participant who may additionally assist them in some methods on and off the sector.
Texas working backs coach Tashard Alternative seen all of the strategies Johnson can impact a gaggle 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 inside the draft.
Alternative 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 intensive receiver Tyler Scott. A fifth-round select in closing month’s draft, Scott was a Junior Olympian in observe as a toddler together with being a burner as a highschool working once more.
After he purchased to high school at Cincinnati, he remodeled to intensive receiver and closing season produced 54 catches, 899 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Bearcats.
The Bears felt fortunate to select Scott as late as they did (No. 133) and envision him becoming 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 inside the linebackers room.
Earlier than the Bears drafted Sewell out of Oregon inside 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 inside the second spherical and circled once more for Minnesota’s Terell Smith in Spherical 5 at No. 165 normal.
Typical contemplating is Stevenson will get the first shot to be a starter inside the nickel package deal deal, nevertheless the Bears think about Smith has upside and might compete to be inside 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 feel 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 development and prospects for an knowledgeable 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 prospect 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 inside 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 individual. I didn’t need him to go away 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 an identical affinity for Bell and what he meant to the varsity’s program. Bohannon spoke to the Tribune regarding the defensive take care of’s development and prospects for an knowledgeable career. Learn additional proper right here.
No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S, Stanford
One in all most likely probably the most impactful draft picks Ryan Poles made in his first yr as Bears regular supervisor was choosing safety Jaquan Brisker inside the second spherical of the 2022 draft.
Poles waited until the seventh spherical to select a safety this yr, drafting Stanford’s Kendall Williamson with the 258th select, citing his velocity and fluctuate.
Whereas the Bears plugged in Brisker immediately, they shouldn’t should strain 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 explicit 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 school, spoke to the Tribune regarding the safety’s development and prospects for an knowledgeable career. Learn additional proper right here.
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