(670 The Score) The Bears selected Southern offensive lineman Ja'Tyre Carter, Cal safety Elijah Hicks and North Carolina State punter Trenton Gill in the seventh round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Carter was a second-team all-SWAC selection last season after starting in 11 games for Southern. He's the program's first draft pick since 2004.
The Bears' selection of Carter at No. 226 overall marked their fourth addition on the offensive line in this draft. Chicago also selected Southern Utah tackle Braxton Jones, San Diego State guard Zach Thomas and Illinois center Doug Kramer.
The 254th overall pick, Hicks was converted from cornerback to safety at Cal. He had 72 tackles and three interceptions last season.
Taken at No. 255, Gill averaged 45.1 yards per punt as a senior with the Wolfpack in 2021.
The Bears made 11 selections in the 2022 NFL Draft, the first led by new general manager Ryan Poles.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.