Tag: Dazz Newsome

LOOK: Bears 2021 draft class assembles at rookie minicamp

The Bears’ entire 2021 draft class was present and ready to get to work as rookie minicamp kicked off at Halas Hall.

Arguably the most anticipated rookie minicamp in recent memory officially kicked off on Friday for the Chicago Bears. Though much of the focus was on their prized first-round quarterback Justin Fields, the entire 2021 draft class was present and ready to get to work as we inch closer to the start of the season.

Offensive tackle Teven Jenkins, running back Khalil Herbert, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, cornerback Thomas Graham Jr., wide receiver Dazz Newsome, offensive tackle Larry Borom and Fields (pictured left to right below) all got together for a photo during practice.

A number of undrafted free agents joined the seven draft picks for practice for the three-day camp. Fields and Jenkins spoke to the media following practice on Friday and talked about how the city as embraced them over the last couple of weeks.

“It’s awesome, from the get-go I could just tell the love from the Bears fans and how passionate our fans are,” Fields said.

Jenkins shared similar thoughts. “I’m having a lot of good times with Bears fans, especially on Twitter.”

Fans will hopefully get more looks at the entire class later in the offseason when training camp begins, but there’s certainly a lot of buzz surrounding these seven rookies.

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WATCH: Highlights of new Bears WR Dazz Newsome, the human highlight reel

The Bears added more speed on offense with the selection of WR Dazz Newsome in the sixth round. Take a look at his highlights.

The Chicago Bears added more speed on offense with the selection of North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome with the 221st overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Newsome is another speedy weapon for new franchise quarterback Justin Fields and veteran Andy Dalton, who will likely start the season. Newsome ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at his pro day. Coupled with Darnell Mooney and Marquise Goodwin, there’s a ton of speed in Chicago’s receivers room.

While the Bears didn’t use a high draft pick on a receiver, they did get a steal with Newsome in the sixth round. He brings athleticism and speed to the position, and some have called him a human highlight reel.

Take a look at what the Bears are getting in Newsome:

https://youtu.be/uIh7j_5g2oc

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2021 NFL draft grades: Experts are loving what the Bears did

Here’s a collection of all of the grades for the Bears’ 2021 draft class, and most experts believe Chicago won this draft.

The 2021 NFL draft is officially in the books, and the Chicago Bears came out of it with some great prospects, including their potential franchise quarterback in Justin Fields.

General manager Ryan Pace was praised for his selections of Fields and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins in the first two rounds, and Pace finished off Day 3 with some great value picks that have experts everywhere singing his praises.

Here’s a collection of all of the grades for the Bears’ draft class from various sports outlets and, spoiler alert, everyone thinks Chicago won this draft.

Grading each of the Bears’ 7 picks from 2021 NFL draft

Here’s a round-up of all of our grades for each of the Bears’ seven selections in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Chicago Bears welcomed seven new players to their roster this weekend during the 2021 NFL draft, including two of the top prospects in the draft class in quarterback Justin Fields and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins.

While it’s far too early to start evaluating this draft class before they’ve even hit the field, it’s fair to wonder if, down the line, we might be looking back at this 2021 draft class as Bears GM Ryan Pace’s best.

Here’s a round-up of all of our grades for each of the Bears’ seven selections in the 2021 NFL draft.

Grading the Bears’ selection of WR Dazz Newsome

The Bears added more speed at wide receiver with the selection of Dazz Newsome. Here’s how we graded the pick.

The Chicago Bears selected North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome with the 221st overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, another potential steal for GM Ryan Pace in the later rounds.

Newsome’s best season with the Tarheels came in 2019, when he racked up 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns. He followed that up with 684 yards and six touchdowns in 2020.

Heading into the draft, wide receiver was a big need for the Bears. Outside of Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, we don’t really know what we’re getting. The Bears did add veteran Marquise Goodwin this offseason, and he figures to serve the role Ted Ginn Jr. couldn’t last season. The addition of Newsome might signal the end of Anthony Miller in Chicago, where trade rumors were swirling before the draft.

While the Bears didn’t use a high draft pick on a wideout, they got a steal with Newsome in the sixth round. He brings athleticism and speed to the position, and some have called him a human highlight reel.

Chicago is also getting some special teams help with Newsome, who has experience returning punts in college. Over the last three seasons at North Carolina, Newsome averaged 11.1 yards on 48 punt returns, including one return for a touchdown. With running back Tarik Cohen returning from a torn ACL, Chicago could look to get Cohen off punt returns, and Newsome could be his replacement.

Newsome is another speedy weapon that’s been added on offense for new quarterback Justin Fields and Andy Dalton, who will likely start the 2021 season. At his pro day, Newsome ran a 4.38 40-yard dash. The fact that Chicago was able to get Newsome in the sixth round was a steal, and some are wondering if we could have another Mooney on our hands.

Grade: A

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Bills show level of interest in WR prospect Dazz Newsome (report)

Buffalo Bills show interest in 2021 NFL Draft prospect, UNC WR Dazz Newsome.

The Buffalo Bills have expressed some interest in North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome. According NYUP, the Bills will have a pre-draft virtual meeting with the wideout and will be at his pro day:

A four-year player at UNC, Newsome fits the profile that Bills head coach Sean McDermott has previously desired in players. As a senior, not an underclassman, Newsome would potentially come to Buffalo a bit more seasoned than other draftees.

Newsome’s numbers dropped a bit in 2020, but as a junior, the 5-foot-11 receiver had 72 catches, 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games.

According to The Draft Network, Newsome projects as a slot receiver and return man in the NFL. While the Bills do have Cole Beasley as a slot playmaker right now, they could stand to land a more youthful prospect to back him up. Beasley will also be 32 next season and in 2022, he could be a potential cap casualty.

Such a projection is well further into the future, though. In the short term, Newsome could replace Andre Roberts. Buffalo’s return man is a pending free agent. Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, who also returned kicks, is a free agent as well.

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Colts’ 7-round mock draft: Trading up for a QB

A full mock with a trade up.

The Indianapolis Colts are still a few months away from the 2021 NFL draft, which is currently scheduled to take place at the end of April. Until then, the mock drafts will be seen early and often.

While free agency—an aspect that will change draft plans—has yet to arrive, we can still take a look at what avenues the Colts can take. In our last mock draft, we did the traditional simulation without any trades. That isn’t the case here.

In this mock draft, using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine, we traded up from the No. 21 pick to the No. 7 pick with the Detroit Lions. This is a popular choice for the Colts so it was interesting to see what the rest of the draft looked like when moving up to get a potential franchise quarterback.

Without further ado, here is our latest seven-round mock draft for the Colts:

Mock draft watch: Browns build pass defense in Draft Wire’s latest 3-rounder

Two good pass defenders and two WRs make up the projected haul

Our good friends at Draft Wire have released their latest projections for the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. Who will the Browns land when they step to the podium in Public Square in downtown Cleveland next spring?

In the first round, the Browns tab Oregon safety Jevon Holland with the No. 16 overall pick. Holland is a nifty coverage safety who also doubles as the Ducks’ primary return man. He’s at his best marking TEs and RBs in the passing game, an area of concern for the Browns right now.

Chazz Surratt, a do-it-all type of linebacker from North Carolina, comes to Cleveland in the second round. He started his UNC career as a quarterback (he was their initial replacement for Mitchell Trubisky) before finding his rightful home at linebacker.

Another Tar Heel, wideout Dazz Newsome, is the projection in the third round. Newsome brings an explosive element to the slot receiver position. It’s Michigan WR Nico Collins as the Browns’ second pick in the third round, acquired from the Saints.