Tag: 2020 draft grades

Grading the Bears’ selection of CB Jaylon Johnson

The Bears drafted Utah CB Jaylon Johnson with the 50th overall pick. See how Johnson graded out.

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Heading into the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears had needs at both cornerback and safety. You could argue that cornerback was move pressing, and general manager Ryan Pace proved just that with his selection.

Luckily for Chicago, a first-round talent in Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson fell to them with the 50th overall pick.

The selection itself is a showing of great faith in Johnson, since this is the earliest that the Bears have taken a cornerback since they selected Kyle Fuller in the first round back in 2014. In fact, Pace hasn’t drafted a cornerback high than the sixth round since the beginning of his tenure in Chicago. And it’s easy to see what Pace loves about Johnson.

Johnson is an instinctive cornerback that brings a competitive edge and toughness to the position. Coupled with his intelligence and ball skills, Johnson is the kind of cornerback prospect that has the ability to make an immediate impact as a starter.

Johnson has all the physical traits, but he’s also a high-character guy with an impressive work ethic, which are the kind of guys that Pace and Matt Nagy like to bring to the team.

The concern with Johnson isn’t his talent or character — it’s his injury struggles. Johnson has had three surgeries on his shoulders in the last four years — including most recently to repair a torn labrum following the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. The word from Johnson’s doctor is that he is ahead of schedule, according to The Athletic.

Assuming Johnson is cleared to go for his rookie season, he’ll have to compete for the starting job opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller, where he’ll battle the likes of Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns. But you figure, at this point, Johnson has the upper hand.

There are concerns about Johnson’s shoulder injuries. But, ultimately, Johnson is a top-three cornerback talent that the Bears snagged in the second round.

Grade: B+

What do you think, Bears fans? How would you grade Chicago’s selection of Johnson?

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Grading the Bears’ selection of TE Cole Kmet

The Bears selected TE Cole Kmet with their first selection in the 2nd round. How does he grade out?

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The Chicago Bears have made no attempt to hide their attempts to fix the tight end position. And they used their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to do so with the selection of Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet with the 50th overall pick.

When grading this pick, it’s important to look at the player — not just the frustrations that come with drafting a tight end in the second round. While there were other prospects still on the board at areas of need for Chicago, the Bears did address an offensive need. The Bears might’ve had nine tight ends on their roster, but other than Jimmy Graham, they’re not on the same level.

Simply put, Kmet is the best tight end in this draft class. Probably the only tight end worthy of a first or second-round selection. And the Bears got him.

Kmet is a big tight end that has the ability to block and be a threat in the passing game. While Matt Nagy’s scheme utilizes the move tight end, expect Kmet to be a big part of what this Bears offense does.

The Bears have got their starting move and in-line tight ends with Graham and Kmet, and the hope is that they’ll be able to breathe life into a position that desperately needs production.

While Kmet is far from a finished product — he needs to become a stronger blocker — he has a ton of upside and will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact on the Bears.

Grade: B

What do you think, Bears fans? How would you grade Chicago’s selection of Kmet?

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