The Chicago Bears drafted 10 gamers in final month’s NFL draft, from Darnell Wright at No. 10 to Kendall Williamson at No. 258. The Tribune spoke to every draft choose’s school coach for extra perception.
No. 10: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
The Bears beloved what they noticed from Darnell Wright that day on the Tennessee campus, and three weeks later they made him the No. 10 choose within the draft, locking him in as a possible starter for his rookie season and past.
Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee labored with Wright for 2 seasons and sees high-end NFL potential for the large deal with. Elarbee spoke to the Tribune not too long ago to supply perception into Wright’s sport and wiring. Read extra right here.
No. 53: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
General supervisor Ryan Poles handed on the consensus finest defensive deal with within the draft — Georgia’s Jalen Carter — and that transfer shall be evaluated for a while. But the Bears bought a younger participant with upside on the place within the second spherical, selecting Florida’s Gervon Dexter with the 53rd choose.
David Turner, at present the defensive position coach at Mississippi State, coached that place for the Gators from 2019 via 2021. He was a part of not solely recruiting Dexter, but additionally teaching him for Dexter’s first two seasons in Gainesville, Fla.
Turner spoke to the Tribune not too long ago to supply perception into Dexter’s sport and the way he initiatives within the NFL. Read extra right here.
No. 56: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
General supervisor Ryan Poles has made a number of strikes to spice up the Bears secondary since he took over in January 2022. In final yr’s draft, he added cornerback Kyler Gordon and security Jaquan Brisker within the second spherical. And late final month, he used one other second-round choose on Tyrique Stevenson, a 6-foot, 198-pound cornerback who performed two seasons at Georgia and two at Miami.
Now Stevenson is anticipated to compete for enjoying time at nook with Gordon and Jaylon Johnson.
Miami secondary coach Jahmile Addae coached Stevenson for his remaining season with the Hurricanes, throughout which Stevenson had two interceptions and 9 passes defended.
Addae spoke with the Tribune this month to share his experiences working with Stevenson. Read extra right here.
No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
The Bears weren’t essentially trying to double-dip at defensive deal with on Day 2 of the NFL draft. That’s simply the way it labored, and now they’ve an opportunity to rebuild the entrance with youth from the within out.
The Bears selected South Carolina defensive deal with Zacch Pickens with the primary number of Round 3 (No. 64), 9 picks after choosing Florida’s Gervon Dexter. While it may seem redundant, veterans Justin Jones and Andrew Billings are on one-year contracts and with out future choices on the place, the Bears nearly assuredly would have been signing or drafting tackles subsequent offseason.
Pickens had a career-high 42 tackles for the Gamecocks final season with 2½ sacks, and his disruptive first step provides hope he can increase the inside cross rush.
Jimmy Lindsey, South Carolina’s defensive position coach the final two seasons and now at LSU, spoke to the Tribune about Pickens’ growth right into a draft prospect. Read extra right here.
No. 115: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Bears normal supervisor Ryan Poles mentioned he was “shocked” working again Roschon Johnson was nonetheless on the board when the Bears drafted him within the fourth spherical final month. The Bears consider they’re bringing in a participant who may also help them in some ways on and off the sector.
Texas working backs coach Tashard Choice noticed all the methods Johnson can have an effect on a group as Johnson totaled 93 carries for 554 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022 because the backup to Bijan Robinson — the No. 8 choose within the draft.
Choice spoke not too long ago to the Tribune about what kind of participant and chief Johnson will be for the Bears. Read extra right here.
No. 133: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Speed. That’s the primary phrase on each scouting report for Bears rookie extensive receiver Tyler Scott. A fifth-round choose in final month’s draft, Scott was a Junior Olympian in observe as a child along with being a burner as a highschool working again.
After he bought to school at Cincinnati, he transformed to extensive receiver and final season produced 54 catches, 899 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Bearcats.
The Bears felt lucky to pick out Scott as late as they did (No. 133) and envision him changing into a dynamic weapon for quarterback Justin Fields. Former Cincinnati receivers coach Mike Brown, who’s now at Wisconsin, can’t say sufficient about Scott’s velocity and method to the sport.
Brown spoke to the Tribune not too long ago to relay his expertise with Scott and provide perception on the rookie’s talent set. Read extra right here.
No. 148: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
Rookie Noah Sewell joins the Bears at an intriguing time within the linebackers room.
Before the Bears drafted Sewell out of Oregon within the fifth spherical, normal supervisor Ryan Poles signed free brokers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards to affix second-year linebacker Jack Sanborn. Now Sewell arrives so as to add depth to the place.
Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi labored with Sewell for his remaining season with the Ducks as he wrapped up a three-year profession that included 215 tackles, 20½ tackles for a loss, 7½ sacks, two interceptions, 11 passes defended and three compelled fumbles.
Lupoi spoke not too long ago with the Tribune about Sewell’s strengths and potential. Read extra 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 within the second spherical and circled again for Minnesota’s Terell Smith in Round 5 at No. 165 general.
Conventional considering is Stevenson will get the primary shot to be a starter within the nickel package deal, however the Bears consider Smith has upside and can compete to be within the combine.
“What’s special about him is he’s kind of made that steady ascent?” co-director of participant personnel Trey Koziol mentioned. “So, when we look at drafting players, it’s like, can you still get more out of them? Are they still on that developmental upswing? And I think that’s where Terell really stood out.”
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck described Smith as a participant who was always pushing to enhance. Fleck spoke to the Tribune in regards to the cornerback’s growth and prospects for an expert profession. Read extra right here.
No. 218: Travis Bell, DT, Kennesaw State
Even after choosing two defensive tackles on Day 2 of the NFL draft, Bears normal supervisor Ryan Poles couldn’t resist the chance to scoop up a 3rd.
There was an excessive amount of about Travis Bell’s make-up and hustle that drew Poles to the participant, so the Bears chosen him within the seventh spherical with the No. 218 choose, including a developmental participant from the FCS stage to the place group.
“This is probably one of my favorite human beings,” Poles mentioned of the Kennesaw State product. “He is a special person. I didn’t want him to leave after his 30 visit and he didn’t want to leave either. There’s something different about this guy. He is passionate about the game.”
Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon described an analogous affinity for Bell and what he meant to the varsity’s program. Bohannon spoke to the Tribune in regards to the defensive deal with’s growth and prospects for an expert profession. Read extra right here.
No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S, Stanford
One of probably the most impactful draft picks Ryan Poles made in his first yr as Bears normal supervisor was selecting security Jaquan Brisker within the second spherical of the 2022 draft.
Poles waited till the seventh spherical to pick out a security this yr, drafting Stanford’s Kendall Williamson with the 258th choose, citing his velocity and vary.
While the Bears plugged in Brisker instantly, they shouldn’t must pressure Williamson onto the sector with veteran Eddie Jackson nonetheless in place. But the Bears must plan for the longer term and create a depth chart, and Williamson’s traits make him a possible core particular groups performer for coordinator Richard Hightower.
Over the final 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 throughout Williamson’s 5 years on the faculty, spoke to the Tribune in regards to the security’s growth and prospects for an expert profession. Read extra right here.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com