The Chicago Bears are wasting no time getting their rookies to work for the 2020 season. The team inked all seven of their 2020 draft selections to four-year deals on Tuesday, the day rookies are allowed to report to training camp (and for COVID-19 testing).
Signed.
Sealed.
Let's get to work, rooks!— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 21, 2020
Here’s a look at Chicago’s 2020 draft class that signed four-year deals with the team:
- Round 2 (43): TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
- Round 2 (50): CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
- Round 5 (155): OLB Trevis Gipson, Tulsa
- Round 5 (163): CB Kindle Vildor, Georgia Southern
- Round 5 (173): WR Darnell Mooney, Tulane
- Round 7 (226): OL Arlington Hambright, Colorado
- Round 7 (227): OL Lachavious Simmons, Tennessee State
The Bears addressed two roster needs with second-round selections tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, both of whom are expected to contribute in their rookie seasons.
Kmet will occupy the starting “Y” tight end role, where the Bears can utilize his blocking and pass catching ability. Johnson will compete for the starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller, where he’ll have to compete with veterans Tre Roberson, Kevin Toliver and Artie Burns. But with his athleticism and ball skills, Johnson is the favorite to win the starting job.
General manager Ryan Pace has been known for his late-round gems, and he targeted three fifth-rounders in this year’s draft. He added some depth at pass rusher with Tulsa’s Trevis Gipson, a versatile cornerback and special teams contributor in Kindle Vildor and a speedy wideout in Tulane’s Darnell Mooney.
Pace used both of his seventh-round selections on developmental offensive linemen in Colorado’s Arlington Hambright and Tennessee State’s Lachavious Simmons.
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