Let’s take a look at our early grades for the Bears’ selections of CB Kindle Vildor and WR Darnell Mooney.
The Chicago Bears selected three rookies in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Considering Bears general manager Ryan Pace utilized a trade to grab two of them, that speaks to their value in the eyes of this franchise.
Chicago added their eighth cornerback — and second in this draft class — when they selected Georgia Southern’s Kindle Vildor with the 163rd overall pick. They also added speed in the form of Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who they traded two sixth-round picks to move up and take him at 173rd overall.
While it’s far too early to begin assigning grades before they step up on the field — and years later — we can’t help ourselves.
Let’s take a look at our early grades for the Bears’ final two selections in the fifth round:
CB Kindle Vildor
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Bears general manager Ryan Pace has said that you can’t have too many cornerbacks on your roster. And he certainly meant it. Following the 2020 NFL Draft, Chicago has eight cornerbacks on their roster.
They added two cornerbacks in this draft — second-round pick Jaylon Johnson out of Utah and fifth-rounder Kindle Vildor out of Georgia Southern.
Vildor is an athletic corner with the ability to play in multiple coverages, and he’s certainly a project for the Bears. Vildor had 9 interceptions, 9 tackles for loss and 25 pass breakups in his final three seasons at Georgia Southern.
While Vildor shouldn’t be expected to immediately compete for that starting right cornerback spot opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller, he’ll serve as a solid special teams contributor, particularly early on in his career.
Pace has managed to find some late-round gems — especially on defense — and perhaps Vildor will add his name to the list down the line. For now, the Bears got a developmental cornerback in the fifth round that will see action on special teams.
Grade: B
What do you think, Bears fans? How would you grade Chicago’s selection of Vildor?
Darnell Mooney, one of the fastest WRs in the draft, gives the Bears a weapon who can take the top off of the defense.
One of the questions heading into the 2020 NFL Draft was when the Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Pace would take advantage of one of the deepest receiver classes in recent memory and select someone who can fill a need in their offense.
Their answer came about halfway through the final day as they selected Tulane WR Darnell Mooney after trading their sixth-round picks with the Philadelphia Eagles to move up and grab him.
Mooney, one of the fastest wideouts in the draft, gives the Bears a weapon who can take the top off of the defense and will fill the void left by the release of Taylor Gabriel in February.
Here are a few things to know about the newest Bears burner:
1. Mooney ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine
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Mooney’s key attribute is of course his speed, and he shouldn’t disappoint when he steps foot on the field. The former Tulane standout ran an official 4.38 40-yard dash, tied for third among all wide receivers who participated, according to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune.
While 40 times aren’t a huge factor in whether or not a player is successful in the NFL, his speed absolutely fills a need in head coach Matt Nagy’s offense.
Chicago found their speedy receiver in Tulane’s Darnell Mooney. Take a look at what the Bears are getting in Mooney.
The one thing that was missing from the Chicago Bears’ offense last season was speed. And general manager Ryan Pace believes that he’s found the guy that’s going to give them just that.
The Bears got a potential steal in Tulane receiver Darnell Mooney in the fifth round with the 173rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. They traded up to snag him in the fifth round, believing that he could be a big contributor to this offense.
Mooney led the Tulane with 48 catches for 713 yards and five touchdowns last season, which is the kind of production that the Bears would certainly love.
Chicago found their speedy receiver in Mooney, who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, which he insists could be even better. Heâs an explosive player that wracks up yards after the catch.
Take a look at what the Bears are getting in Mooney:
Chicago found their speedster at the wide receiver position, making yet another trade to draft wide-out Darnell Mooney.
The Chicago Bears found their speedster at the wide receiver position, making yet another trade to draft wide-out Darnell Mooney.
General manager Ryan Pace traded up to select Mooney with the 173rd overall pick, trading a pair of sixth-round picks (196 and 200) and seventh-round pick (233) with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears also received the 227th overall selection in the deal as well.
Mooney brings an element that was missing from the Bears passing attack in 2019: Speed. The former Tulane standout led the team with 48 catches for 713 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
The trade caught Twitter by surprise, but fans and experts had plenty to say about the team’s latest selection.
OHH MAN. DARNELL MOONEY. #Bears got a potential steal in the fifth round. Electric receiver that understands leverage and stems to work to get open. This was the speed they needed. Still not done yet. One bigger move left to be made..
WR Darnell Mooney is an interesting pick at the end of the fifth round by the Bears. Tulane product has speed, runs very good routes, creates separation. He is skinny and needs to cut down on his drops.
The Bears traded up to land a speedy receiver in Tulane’s Darnell Mooney in the fifth round.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is no stranger to trading in the NFL Draft. After trading a 2021 fourth round pick to the Minnesota Vikings to draft pass rusher Trevis Gipson, Pace traded up to grab a speedy receiver for whichever quarterback lines up under center this season.
The Bears selected Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney with the 173rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. It was Chicago’s third fifth-round selection after starting the day with one fifth-rounder.
Chicago found their speedy receiver in Mooney, who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s an explosive player that wracks up yards after the catch. Mooney combined for 96 catches, 1,706 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns with Tulane.
The Bears traded picks 19, 200 and 233 to the Philadelphia Eagles for picks 173 and 227. Chicago has two selections left in this draft in the seventh round with picks 226 and 227.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney
The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded with talented wide receivers, which should give teams plenty of options to get fantastic value in the middle and later rounds.
One such player who has the skills to make a big impact at the next level, no matter where he’s drafted? Tulane’s Darnell Mooney.
An explosive playmaker who burned up the track at the NFL Scouting Combine, Mooney recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience in Indy, how he attacks defensive backs of different sizes, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
DM: It was a great experience. There’s nothing like it. It can be kinda hectic. I spoke to some friends that have been to the combine before. I had a rough idea of what to expect. They told me that it can be a little bit of a time crunch. Our combine was a little unique though. It lasted five days for us, I think that’s a little bit longer than some of the previous ones. It was pretty cool overall.
JM: You got some attention with your 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds. What do you think is the overall impression that you left out there?
DM: I think I left a great impression. I’m a fast learner, and I love to finish what I start. My speed result was exactly what you saw on film. There’s no discrepancy there. I’m able to maintain my speed level throughout the course of an entire game. What you see is what you get.
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JM: Do you think you turned a lot of heads out there?
DM: Yeah, I definitely did. Everybody was wondering what I was gonna run. I know a lot of NFL scouts and coaches were watching closely for that result. It’s funny, I see myself as more of a route technician than a speed guy. I know that I’m a fast player and everybody wanted to see what my time would be.
When I was running routes during the on-field work, all of the scouts or coaches that were on the field looked at me and said, “Wow, you can really run routes.” That feedback has remained consistent all throughout my FaceTime meetings. Every team I’ve met with has brought up how I ran routes at the combine. I hang my hat on route running, not speed. The speed is a bonus. That’s how I look at it anyways.
JM: How do you describe your play style?
DM: I’m very dangerous with the ball in my hands. I’m an explosive play-maker. The defense had to account for me every time that I stepped onto the field. They had to game-plan for me and they had to know where I was lined up at all times. I definitely make my presence felt out there. I always feel like I’m in a groove. The more touches I get, the more dangerous I become. I feel like I did my best work later in the game. I always try to make it tough on the defense.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in before COVID-19 shut everything down?
DM: I had a private workout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I had a few others lined up, but the Buccaneers one was the only one that actually happened. They came down to Tulane and we did a workout. We also did some board work after the workout. We were able to get that in before the spread of virus shut everything down.
JM: Which teams have you met with via FaceTime?
DM: I’ve met with almost every single team in the NFL. There’s been about four teams that I haven’t met with, and I can’t disclose them at this time. I can confirm that the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings are on the list of teams that I have met with. There’s a very long list of teams that I’ve met with.
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JM: Do you attack those bigger cornerbacks any differently than you do the ones who are more similar to you in size and stature?
DM: When it comes to cornerbacks, it depends on how long they are. In college, I kinda learned what I like to do versus those longer guys. I played college football for four years and I understand what my plan of attack should be. I tend to go a little wider on those longer guys. Over the last year, I started to get more comfortable being a little aggressive with them. I try to get into them when they can’t use their length as much. It works in my favor. I’ve never really looked at it as a weakness of mine. Whether I lined up inside or outside, I feel comfortable no matter what.
JM: Who are some of the best cornerbacks that you’ve gone up against?
DM: I have to mention one of my teammates, first and foremost. Thakarius Keyes always gave me a rough time in practice. Reggie Robinson II from Tulsa was a good one as well. He’s a very long guy and he understands how to use his length.
JM: Why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on Darnell Mooney?
DM: I’m not a risk. I understand that NFL draft picks are long-term investments. I’m a great investment. You’re gonna get a great return on your investment with me. You’re getting somebody that’s gonna work hard and make plays for you. I’m a playmaker. You’re gonna get everything you expected out of me, and more. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.
