LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) — Bears general manager Ryan Poles has often preached the virtue of selecting the best player available on his team's draft board. The Bears' seven-player class in this NFL Draft showcased that philosophy.
The Bears didn't address their biggest positional needs on the second day of the draft but liked their prospect haul as they added depth to their roster and long-term upside. Here's a breakdown of the newest Bears.
Round 1, No. 25 – Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman stood out above the other intriguing options for the Bears in the first round. He was a standout at Oregon who will bring versatility to the back end of Chicago’s defense. Thieneman should pair well with newly signed safety Coby Bryant and will give Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a dynamic chess piece to make an instant impact.
Scout’s take
“We talk about taking the air out of the offense. His ability to close on the football, both in the run and the pass, stood out really, really quick. And this guy’s obsessed with football, he plays fast, he’s extremely fast, a great leader, violent in the way that he plays the game; everything that we’re looking for.”
— Poles
Quote to note
"If I can utilize my speed, I can go get that ball."
-- Thieneman
Round 2, No. 57 – Iowa center Logan Jones
The Bears found their long-term answer at center following Drew Dalman's retirement. It’s simply a matter of when Jones will step into the starting role. Veteran Garrett Bradbury was acquired in March to be the starting center. At the least, there should be competition at this position in training camp.
Scout’s take
"A captain, a leader, grown man, pro-ready habits. We talk about all the things you can see on tape — the athleticism, the strength, the scrappy play temperament and all that stuff, but it’s really the intangibles too that stood out.”
— Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol
Quote to note
“Just seeing the way he handled his business, the way he operated, the way he played the game. He's somebody I looked up to, for sure."
— Jones on the influence of three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum on him
Round 3, No. 69 – Stanford tight end Sam Roush
The tight end position wasn’t a need for the Bears, but they were thrilled to find Roush on the board early in the third round. Now, the Bears are making plans to continue using multi-tight end sets to take advantage of the talents of Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet and Roush, who each bring a different element to their offense.
Scout’s take
“He's a big man, and when you see him in person, he definitely looks the part. He runs off the ball. He's got physicality at the point of attack. He's another guy that looks to finish. You see the intensity where there's buy-in in the run game, which a lot of times at the college level can be hit or miss, especially for somebody who's been used in the pass game like he has. So to have the combination of those two things, and I think you saw that with Colston last year too. Somebody who can go and be a factor in the pass game, but it's going to give you the same kind of effort on the backside of his own run. I think that's really special.”
— Koziol
Quote to note
“I’m going to come in and I’m going to compete. Iron sharpens iron. Make the room better. I’m really excited to learn from those guys."
— Roush
Round 3, No. 89 – LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas
Bears head coach Ben Johnson knows what he wants in his team's offensive identity, and it includes having weapons all over the field. Thomas certainly fits that mold.
Thomas logged a 4.28 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He’s a dynamic threat for the Bears to utilize in the upcoming season and a player with the upside to continue improving. Thomas was projected as a later-round pick by many. His value in special teams is part of why the Bears were drawn to him in the third round.
Scout’s take
"Teams are going to have to worry about him whenever he's on the field."
— Bears assistant director of college scouting Francis Saint Paul
Quote to note
“It didn’t really surprise me. It was more like I told you so to everybody else.”
— Thomas on his 4.28 time
Round 4, No. 124 – Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad
After three consecutive picks of offensive players, the Bears shifted their focus back to defense in the fourth round by adding Muhammad, who's. considered a developmental prospect with high upside. That sounds like a task for highly regarded Bears defensive backs coach Al Harris. Muhammad should get the chance to compete for a starting role at cornerback.
Scout’s take
“The ability to play man, stick at the top of routes is one of his strengths. And then continuing with that instincts and zone coverage too is also a strength of this player. So, kind of a combo guy that can do a couple different things for us on defense.”
— Bears national scout John Syty
Quote to note
"When it's time to put your nuts on the floor, you got to go dominate. I mean, it's just like second nature. When it's a big game, shoot, we ’bout to get up for it.”
— Muhammad
Round 5, No. 166 – Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott
Linebacker was an understated need for the Bears this offseason after veteran Tremaine Edmunds was released and with T.J. Edwards recovering from a fractured fibula. Elliott is an athletic linebacker with speed and good instincts who should immediately step into a special teams role as a rookie and provide depth while continuing to develop.
Scout’s take
“He can run. He’s instinctive. He’s got good size as well. So, he kind of plays a couple different positions, can play Sam for us, can play Mike for us. And then his play style translates well for us to special teams. We really like all those things with him, just the versatility he can provide for us.”
— Bears West Coast area scout Reese Hicks
Quote to note
“Everything that comes with football and opportunities it's provided me with, it's just unbelievable. It's just something that it's easy to wake up to. I love the game of football and putting all of the work in, extra work. Everything it takes is just something I truly love.”
— Elliott
Round 6, No. 213 – Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg
The Bears dealt away their two seventh-round picks in order to land van den Berg, a first-team All-ACC defensive tackle at Georgia Tech. He logged 44 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and three sacks last season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
