Pick 1.10 Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan.
The Bears stayed put at pick 10 and selected tight end Colston Loveland. The way the board fell in the top 10 value wise tight end made the most sense here. Loveland brings versatility and size to the Bears tight end room, can line up just about anywhere, and proves to be a very underrated blocker. While not a flashy pick from the outside like many fans wanted, Loveland will be a 600+ yard season receiver as well as a major threat in the redzone. Many expected Penn State tight end Tyler Warren to be the pick. At end of the day the Bears select their guy and get yet another weapon for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Grade A
Pick 2.39 Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri.
At pick 39, they selected wide receiver Luther Burden III. Burden once projected as a first-round pick, he boasts game changing playmaking ability after the catch, 4.4 speed and Head Coach Ben Johnson can use him in an array of different ways. On top of Offensive snaps, I believe Burden can be a key player on special teams potentially returning kicks and punts. With DeAndre Carter’s exist, the bears returner slots are more than open for competition.
Grade B
Pick 2.56 Ozzy Trapilo, Tackle, Boston College.
After a slight trade down with Buffalo the Bears feel comfortable selecting Tackle Ozzy Trapilo. While he’s got experience at both left and right tackle, he’s a better fit anchoring the right side. General Manager Ryan Poles was asked in his pre-draft presser about the possibility of moving former first round pick Darnell Wright over to the left side, he definitely left the door open there. With the addition of Trapilo in round 2, one has to wonder if that is more of possibility. This guy has the makings of a long-time solid starter in this league, I believe he’s got a chance to be the week 1 starting right tackle for the Chicago Bears.
Grade B+
Pick 2.62 Shemar Turner, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M.
Bears once again address the trenches this time going defensive tackle. Turner has provides great interior rush potential, coming off a series of injuries I believe Chicago got a great value pick. Turner joins a revamped defensive line lead by Sweat, Dexter, Billings and newly signed free agent additions in Grady Jarret and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Grade B
Pick 4.132 Ruben Hyppolite II, Linebacker, Maryland.
Back-to-back picks on the defensive side of the ball, a head scratching pick to some fans, as many big boards had him as a priority UDFA. This has Richard Hightower written all over it, the Bears Special Teams Coordinator. Hightower covets exactly the type of player Hyppolite is, his rare speed makes him a perfect fit for special teams snaps this year as he sits and learns behind Edwards and Edmunds. Some may consider it a reach, at the end of the day getting a special teams contributor in round 4 is a solid value, and Chicago did just that.
Grade C+
Pick 5.169 Zah Frazier, Cornerback, UTSA.
I consider cornerback one of Chicago’s better position groups, they add to it in round 5 here. Frazier turns 25 in October this year, a one year starter in college and on the older side as far as prospects go isn’t my favorite combo in a prospect, though his speed and ball hawking stand out on tape, Frazier nabbed 6 interceptions last season, something Chicago always preaches and that won’t change with well-respected Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen.
Grade D+
Pick 6.195 Luke Newman, Guard/Center, Michigan State.
Offensive line depth is always a position of need, Bears get just that in versatile lineman Luke Newman, he can slot in at Guard or Center which gives him a decent chance to make the 53-man roster as a rookie, if not he will be a prime practice squad candidate.
Grade C
Pick 7.233 Kyle Monangai, Running Back, Rutgers.
Many thought Chicago would prioritize running back early, after some runs on backs seemingly driving a few trade downs, they finally address the running back position in the 7th round. Monangai joins a thin room with projected starter Swift and Roschon Johnson still in the mix, he projects to make the 53 man roster as RB3/4.