Tag: Tre Roberson

Don’t sleep on Bears rookie CB Jaylon Johnson in 2020

There are high expectations for what Bears CB Jaylon Johnson can accomplish in his rookie season.

Despite not having a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears were able to snag two first-round talents in tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round.

Both selections addressed a need on the roster, and both Kmet and Johnson are expected to see significant playing time as rookies. NFL.com’s Dan Parr examined 25 rookies poised for success in 2020, and Johnson was among them.

Artie Burns and Kevin Toliver are the other options to start opposite Kyle Fuller. In other words, the Bears need Johnson to step up and win that job. The good news is he’s up to the task. Perhaps his history of shoulder surgeries — the most recent one coming in March — scared some teams off and explains why he was available late in Round 2 (50th overall) after many had him pegged as a first-round pick.

Regardless, it’s a great value for a Chicago secondary that gets a feisty corner with the toughness, strength and instincts the team covets. Bears fans shouldn’t have to worry about whether Johnson can defend the island, as the former Ute has shown he can more than hold his own in single coverage over the past couple seasons, recording the FBS’ fifth-best passer rating when targeted (51.4) and the second-best explosive play rate allowed (10.9%), per Pro Football Focus.

Johnson was pegged by many as a top-three cornerback in the NFL Draft, but there were teams concerned by his shoulder injuries that passed on him, which allowed him to fall to general manager Ryan Pace in the second round.

The Bears are looking for a starting right cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller, and Johnson appears to be the clear-cut favorite to win the job in 2020, where he’ll compete with the likes of Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns, among others.

There were six cornerbacks taken ahead of Johnson in the 2020 NFL Draft, and it’s a chip that he carries on his shoulders. He’s determined to prove those teams wrong while also aiming to accomplish some significant milestones in his rookie season, including winning the starting job, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and winning a Super Bowl.

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Bears’ 3 most exciting roster competitions heading into summer

There will be no shortage of roster competitions to watch on both offense and defense heading into training camp.

Despite having a roster that is loaded with talent, the Chicago Bears have several key positions that will have competitions for starting gigs. And while organized team activities will not be able to provide any opportunities for players to stand out, the NFL remains hopeful that training camps can go on as planned.

The Bears, on paper, figure to have one of the league’s best defenses. Names like Eddie Jackson, Khalil Mack, and Akiem Hicks headline Chuck Pagano’s defense, but there is one position in particular that will be intriguing to monitor.

Elsewhere on offense, the Bears will have several battles for roster spots, including quarterback, wide receiver and tight end.

Let’s take a look at the three most exciting roster competitions to watch heading into training camp.

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5 questions we have following Bears’ 2020 NFL Draft

There are still some unknowns continuing through this offseason as a result of the Bears’ 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft in the books, but the work has only begun for the Chicago Bears ahead of the scheduled start of the regular season.

While the Bears addressed some issues on their roster — including cornerback, tight end, pass rush and wide receiver — there are still some unknowns continuing through this offseason as a result of the draft.

Here are five questions we have following the 2020 NFL Draft:

1. What’s the plan at strong safety?

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the draft, there was a strong belief that the Bears were going to bring in a strong safety to pair with Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson. When guys like Antoine Winfield Jr., Grant Delpit and Jeremy Chinn were still on the board when Chicago’s second-round picks rolled around, it was a surprise when the Bears chose to bypass a safety for a tight end and cornerback.

The Bears currently have four safeties that figure to battle for that strong safety job — Deon Bush, Jordan Lucas, DeAndre Houston-Carson and Kentrell Brice. But none of those guys inspire confidence on a starting basis in the secondary.

Bush figures to be the favorite to win the job. But if the Bears were confident that Bush was the guy, they wouldn’t have brought in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix last season. There are still some safety prospects on the free-agent market, including Tony Jefferson, that the Bears could bring in. Otherwise, it’s likely we’re going to see Bush or Lucas opposite Jackson in 2020.

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5 things to know about new Bears CB Jaylon Johnson

Get to know the Bears’ newest cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who should become a fan favorite on defense.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace completed Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson with the 50th overall pick in the second round.

The selection fills a void on an elite defense left by the release of veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara. The former Ute will compete for the starting spot opposite Pro-Bowl corner Kyle Fuller with players such as Kevin Toliver II, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns.

Here’s a few things to know about the newest Chicago Bear:

1. Johnson has allowed just 3 touchdowns in his college career

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Johnson faced stiff competition in the PAC 12 over the last three years. From receivers such as USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. and N’Keal Harry, to quarterbacks like Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Washington’s Jake Browning, the defensive back has been challenged on more than one occasion. He’s also embraced it – proving he’s a lockdown defender.

According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson played 1,256 snaps in coverage, allowing just three touchdowns. That’s one touchdown given up every six and a half NFL games when offenses average 64 plays per game.

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2020 NFL Draft: Bears addressed two needs on offense, defense in 2nd round

The Bears might not have had a first-round pick, but they managed to snag two first-round talents in the second round.

The Chicago Bears might not have had a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, but they managed to snag two first-round talents in the second round.

While many will criticize the selection of tight end Cole Kmet in the second round, the Bears ultimately got the best tight end prospect in this draft class. Kmet is easily the most NFL-ready tight end in a weak class, and now he’ll get to play for his hometown Bears.

Kmet will assume the in-line tight end role, where he’ll help block in the run game and serve as a pass-catching weapon in Matt Nagy’s offense, for whichever quarterback lines up under center.

Following the addition of Jimmy Graham in free agency, Bears general manager Ryan Pace is banking on Kmet and Graham to right the fallacies of Chicago’s tight end group.

The Bears also addressed a need in the defensive backfield at cornerback with the selection of Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, who can be plugged in as an immediate starter.

Following the release of Prince Amukamara, the Bears have filled the hole at right cornerback opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. Johnson is a physical corner that will challenge receivers

While the Bears have three other cornerbacks on their roster that were vying for the starting spot — Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns — Johnson figures to have the clear upper hand in the competition for the starting job.

Chicago doesn’t have another pick until Day 3, where they’ll have five draft selections barring any trades. The Bears have one pick in the fifth round at No. 163, as well as two selections in the sixth round (No. 196, No. 200 ) and seventh round (No. 226, No. 233).

Heading into Day 3, the Bears still have roster needs at safety, offensive line, wide receiver, running back and quarterback. Pace is known for drafting some late-round gems, which will certainly be the hope for Saturday’s selections.

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2020 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Jaylon Johnson with 50th overall pick

The Bears added a top cornerback prospect in Utah’s Jaylon Johnson with the 50th pick in the NFL Draft.

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While the Chicago Bears didn’t have a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, they did have a pair of second-rounders to address some roster needs on offense and defense. And they got an absolute steal in the defensive backfield.

The Bears selected Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson with the 50th overall selection, addressing a hole in the secondary vacated by the departed Prince Amukamara.

In 2019, Johnson had 36 tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions, including one for a touchdown for the Utes.

Following the release of Amukamara earlier this offseason, the Bears were looking for a running mate opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller at right cornerback. And they found him in Johnson, who been praised for his physicality and athletic build that allows him to stack up against bigger, physical receivers. He’s developed into a shutdown cornerback in his junior season with Utah.

The Bears have a few cornerbacks already on the roster — including Kevin Toliver and newcomers Tre Roberson and Artie Burns — and Johnson figures to have the edge in what should be a top position battle to watch in training camp.

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Bears slated to meet with Auburn CB Javaris Davis on Wednesday

The Bears have an open starting cornerback spot to fill opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller, and perhaps that’ll be Auburn’s Javaris Davis.

The Chicago Bears have a pair of starting defensive back jobs they’ll be looking to fill, and general manager Ryan Pace will certainly look to the 2020 NFL Draft to fill them.

The Bears will surely be in the market for a cornerback, and they’ve met with several during this pre-draft process. Chicago is slated to meet with Auburn cornerback Javaris Davis virtually on Wednesday, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

Following the departure of Prince Amukamara earlier this offseason, Chicago is looking to fill the vacancy opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. Davis is an athletic corner with good ball skills and body control, and he could surely be someone that could line up opposite Fuller in 2020.

But he’ll have to win the starting job among a slew of other players. Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns will be competing for the starting spot — possibly alongside a rookie.

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5 cornerbacks that Bears could target in 2020 NFL Draft

The Bears have a starting CB spot up for grabs, and GM Ryan Pace would serve well to look at this year’s talented cornerback class.

While defense isn’t the concern with the Chicago Bears, there are two starting jobs that need to be filled in the defensive backfield. Following the release of Prince Amukamara this offseason, the Bears have a vacant cornerback spot opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller.

While the Bears have some guys on the roster that will compete for the starting job, including Kevin Toliver and newcomers Tre Roberson and Artie Burns. But general manager Ryan Pace would serve well to look at this year’s talented cornerback class.

Let’s take a look at five cornerbacks Chicago could target in the NFL Draft:

1. Damon Arnette, Ohio State

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

While Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah has everyone talking, it’s his teammate Damon Arnette that’s also gotten some attention. Arnette’s physicality helps him in run support, and he succeeds in press coverage. Arnette is an instinctive and versatile cornerback that could complement Fuller in the secondary, as well as contribute on special teams.

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Mississippi State CB Cameron Dantzler held pre-draft meeting with Bears

It wouldn’t be a surprise for Bears GM Ryan Pace to use a 2nd-round pick to bring in a young CB prospect to compete for a starting job.

Armed with a pair of second-round picks, the Chicago Bears have several positions they could target in the upcoming NFL Draft. With two vacancies at cornerback and safety, Chicago could certainly make a defensive move early with pick 43 or pick 50.

The Bears recently met virtually with one of the draft’s top cornerback prospects in Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

Following the release of Prince Amukamara earlier this offseason, the Bears are looking for a cornerback to start opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. While they could look in-house for Amukamara’s replacement — including Kevin Toliver and newcomers Tre Roberson and Artie Burns — it wouldn’t be a surprise for general manager Ryan Pace to use one of those second-round picks to bring in a young corner prospect to also compete.

Maybe that could be Dantzler, who is projected to be a Day 2 prospect. Dantzler was one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC and fared well against some of the top SEC talent in LSU and Alabama.

Last season, despite starting just nine games, Dantzler tied for a team-best two interceptions and eight pass breakups, as well as 40 tackles, including two for loss.

While Dantzler thrives in the passing game and isn’t likely to give up explosive plays, he does need to work on doing a better job with his tackling.

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CB Kyle Fuller dubbed Bears’ best 1st-round draft pick since 2010

While the Bears haven’t fared well in the 1st round in the last decade, there have been some success stories like CB Kyle Fuller.

When it comes to first-round draft picks in recent memory, the Chicago Bears just don’t know how to pick them. So perhaps it’s a good thing that they don’t have a first-round pick for the second straight season.

For the Bears, it’s felt like bust after bust, including most recently outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and receiver Kevin White.

The jury is still out on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll be another first-round bust the Bears can add to their collection.

While the Bears haven’t fared well in the first round in the last decade, more often than not, there have been some success stories. Among them right guard Kyle Long, cornerback Kyle Fuller and inside linebacker Roquan Smith.

Bleacher Report believes that Fuller has been Chicago’s best first-round draft pick dating back to 2010.

Since being drafted 14th overall in 2014, Fuller has been a starter at corner from nearly day one. With the exception of a 2016 season wiped out by a knee injury, Fuller has started all but two games over five years.

The 28-year-old has 18 career interceptions, including seven in 2018 (which tied for the NFL lead). In each of the past two seasons, the former Virginia Tech standout has been named to the Pro Bowl.

While Fuller’s career got off to a shaky start, he grew into a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Bears and, along with Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson, anchors Chicago’s secondary.

Fuller led the Bears in interceptions with seven in 2018 — which also tied for the NFL lead — and he once again led Chicago with three picks in 2019. While it was a dip from the previous year, he’s proven to be a takeaway machine for the Bears in the secondary.

The Bears will be looking to replace his former running mate opposite him at cornerback. With Prince Amukamara’s release as a cap-casualty, Chicago will be looking to bring in someone to pair with Fuller.

That starter might already be on the roster in third-year corner Kevin Toliver or newly-acquired cornerbacks Tre Roberson and Artie Burns. Or, perhaps, Chicago will turn to the NFL Draft for a young player to start Day 1.

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