Despite not having a first-round pick for the second straight year — unless you count Khalil Mack — the Chicago Bears are garnering some solid grades for the 2020 draft class.
The Bears welcomed seven new members to their roster, including second-round selections tight end Cole Kmet and potential steal-of-the-draft in cornerback Jaylon Johnson. They also added depth with fifth-rounders edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and receiver Darnell Mooney and seventh-round offensive linemen Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons.
While there are some that aren’t pleased with the Bears’ selections, initial reactions to Chicago’s draft class has been positive. Touchdown Wire certainly feels so, as they’ve given the Bears a “B” grade for their 2020 draft haul.
The Bears didn’t have a first-round pick in 2020 as a result of the Khalil Mack trade, but they were able to get an absolute first-round defender in this draft. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson had minor injury concerns, but he’s one of the smartest, most-targeted, and mistake-proof players at his position in this class, and he should be able to take the field and start right away. Johnson slipped enough from his first-round talent that Chicago were able to take Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, also in the second round. Kmet isn’t the most dynamic tight end in this draft class, especially on intermediate and deep throws, but he’s a good all-round player.
The guy Bears fans might want to get excited about in this class is fifth-round pass-rusher Trevis Gipson out of Tulsa. At 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds, Gipson isn’t developed in his technique, but his raw physical tools explode off the tape.
While giving out grades are premature — we’re certainly guilty — it’s always interesting to see how these draft classes and players ultimately pan out several years down the line. There can be high-ranked draft classes that turn out to be complete and utter failures or low-ranked draft classes that can thrive.
There’s a lot of potential for the Bears’ 2020 draft class — including some potential steals and late-round gems — and it’ll be exciting to see how these newest Bears pan out.
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