Darnell Wright is positioned to enter Week 1 as Chicago’s right tackle starter. Given that he was drafted 10th overall, that is not exactly a surprise. But the Bears’ No. 56 overall pick is also on track to open the year as a first-stringer.
Chicago’s third draft choice this year, Tyrique Stevenson will have a clear onramp to begin his career with the 1s. The Miami product spent the offseason program working as a first-team option on the outside, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com notes, adding he is primed to begin the season as a boundary starter opposite Jaylon Johnson.
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The Bears’ Ryan Poles–Matt Eberflus regime has devoted significant draft resources to the cornerback spot, having now taken Stevenson and Kyler Gordon in consecutive second rounds. Gordon began his career as a starter and remained in that role for each of the 14 games he played during his rookie season. Gordon operated as both an outside and slot defender last season, but the Bears are planning to slide last year’s No. 39 overall pick to a full-time slot role. This will clear a path for Stevenson.
ESPN’s Scouts Inc. viewed Stevenson as a quality value choice for the Bears at 56, having slotted the 6-foot cover man as this year’s No. 41-ranked prospect. A high-end recruit who transferred from Georgia, Stevenson spent his final two college seasons with the Hurricanes. He earned third-team All-ACC acclaim last season, playing primarily on the outside.
Stevenson following through on this path will give the Bears three first- or second-year starters in their secondary. Johnson, who is going into a contract year, and safety Eddie Jackson represent the veteran wing of the team’s DB crew. Chicago’s plan to go with a Johnson-Stevenson-Gordon trio at corner will relegate Kindle Vildor, a 2020 fifth-round pick who has started 21 games over the past two seasons, to a reserve role. Pro Football Focus viewed Vildor as making progress in 2022, tabbing him just outside the top 75 at the position. The 25-year-old corner will represent experienced depth for a Bears team that does not have a second-contract presence at this spot. The team also used a fifth-round pick on a corner, bringing in Minnesota’s Terell Smith.
The Bears ranked last in scoring defense and in defensive DVOA last season, opening the door for new personnel to commandeer roles. Stevenson stands to join free agent linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards as high-profile new starters on defense.
The Bears had the 2nd best defense in the NFC North while being ranked 29th overall…lol. When Patrick Mahomes saw he had those defenses on his schedule this season, he must have thought Christmas had come early.
Bears D was one of the worst in the league. They still don’t have a pass rush so they’ll need all those CBs to cover.
The Bears DE’s aren’t all here yet. They’ll get somebody better on Cut down day. Somebody that another team can’t afford. Or they’ll make a trade. But being a rookie corner in the NFL isn’t tons of fun. Especially with the stupid PI rules.
Cutdown players can’t make other rosters. That’s not who you want as your starters.
A young solidified secondary is a good place to start.