Tag: Trevis Gipson

Who will be the Chicago Bears’ rookie of the year in 2020?

Which Bears rookie is poised to help the team the most? Our Bears Wire staff shares their picks for Chicago’s rookie of the year.

The Chicago Bears are looking to rebound following a disappointing season, and they have some rookies that are poised to make an impact in 2020.

While the Bears were without a first-round pick for the second straight year, they did have a pair of second-round selections where they addressed two significant needs with tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Chicago also snagged someone intriguing prospects in the fifth round in edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and receiver Darnell Mooney. The Bears also added a pair of offensive linemen in Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons in the seventh round.

But which Bears rookie is poised to help the team the most in his rookie season? Is it Kmet, who should bring in an instant burst to Chicago’s tight end room? Is is Johnson, who figures to be the favorite to land the vacant cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller? Or perhaps Mooney, who should bring speed to the Bears’ offense?

Our Bears Wire staff shares their picks for Chicago’s rookie of the year, and it’s nearly a clean sweep.

Alyssa: CB Jaylon Johnson

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears got an absolute steal in Johnson in the second round of the NFL Draft, who many had pegged as a first-round talent. He’s a versatile, athletic corner who has a great chance of locking down a starting spot in his rookie year. Johnson is the clear-cut favorite to win the starting job opposite Kyle Fuller, and he has the tools and opportunity to make an immediate impact in his rookie season. And if Chicago’s pass rush returns to its 2018 form, he’ll benefit significantly.

Johnson knows that there were six cornerbacks taken ahead of him in the draft, and that’s a chip that he’s carrying on his shoulders. He’s 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. Bears fans would love nothing better than for all of those to come to fruition.

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Who will be Bears’ surprise rookie gem in 2020?

Bears GM Ryan Pace has managed to snag some late-round gems in the NFL Draft, and perhaps CB Kindle Vildor will add his name to the list.

While Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace hasn’t always landed on his first-round picks, he has managed to snag some late-round gems in the NFL Draft.

Pace is hoping the same is true for his three fifth-round picks, including edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

Bleacher Report believes that Vildor could be the Bears’ surprise rookie gem in 2020, citing his man-coverage and ball skills as favorable for this defense.

The Chicago Bears desperately needed to add quality cornerback depth behind Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine. The team invested second- and fifth-round draft picks in Utah’s Jaylon Johnson and Georgia Southern’s Kindle Vildor, respectively.

Johnson has a chance to start opposite Fuller, while Vildor brings a coveted mentality.

The two-time first-team All-Sun Belt performer will have to beat out a few veterans for reps, but his man-coverage and ball skills should fit favorably in the Bears’ defensive scheme.

Vildor projects to play a significant role on special teams in his rookie season, but general manager Ryan Pace loves what he brings to the cornerback position.

“We stress confidence when we talk about the corner position,” Pace told reporters. “And [Vildor] definitely has that confidence and that playing demeanor that we look for. A skill set that also translates well to special teams, which is going to be important especially in the early part of his development.”

While Vildor isn’t expected to immediately compete for a starting job on defense, the Bears got a developmental cornerback in the fifth round that will see action on special teams.

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Bears rookie Trevis Gipson will benefit from learning from best in Khalil Mack

The Bears are hoping Trevis Gipson develops into a future starter. And learning from one of the best in Khalil Mack certainly doesn’t hurt.

Despite not being able to get to know his new teammates at the Chicago Bears’ facility, rookie pass rusher Trevis Gipson is busy trying to take everything in and get to know his new teammates through this virtual offseason.

One of the guys he’ll get to know well is edge rusher Khalil Mack, who has already reached out to the Bears’ fifth-round pick and let him know he’s there to help him.

“[I’m] being a sponge,” Gipson said, via ChicagoBears.com. “Taking in the right stuff from the right people that have already been a part of the league and just making sure their mistakes that they made I try to avoid those myself.

“It’s really just being open to the new environment, getting to know the people that you’re going to be around. [Veteran outside linebacker] Khalil Mack hit me up; asked me if I needed anything, that he was there for me. [I’m] getting a feel for everybody and being all eyes open.”

Gipson will get to learn from some of the best in Mack and Robert Quinn, who will anchor the Bears’ pass rush. Gipson and veteran Barkevious Mingo will provide depth at pass rusher for Chicago, which will look to step things up following a disappointing outing in 2019.

The Bears are high on what Gipson can ultimately become, as they traded back into the fifth round to select Gipson with the 155th overall pick. While Gipson has a long way to go in his development, his upside is huge. He has all of the tools to become a starter for the Bears down the line. And learning from the likes of one of the best in the game in Mack certainly doesn’t hurt.

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Bears roster comparison: 2019 vs. 2020 defense, special teams

Let’s take a look, position by position, at how the Bears defense and special teams in 2020 compares to 2019.

With the Chicago Bears’ 90-man roster full — although, it can change at any time — we thought we’d take a look at just how much their roster has changed since about this time last season.

Continuing with defense, the Bears return their core group that have been among the top in the NFL over the last two seasons. They’ve also upgraded several positions this offseason, including pass rush and secondary. While there are some depth concerns at a couple of positions, this Bears roster is stacking up nicely where it could possibly rival the dominant 2018 group.

The expectation for Chicago’s special teams is that it’ll look identical with kicker Eddy Pineiro, punter Pat O’Donnell and long snapper Patrick Scales.

Let’s take a look, position by position, at how the Bears defense and special teams in 2020 compares to 2019.

Defensive Line

Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
2019 2020
Akiem Hicks Akiem Hicks
Eddie Goldman Eddie Goldman
Bilal Nichols Bilal Nichols
Roy Robertson-Harris Roy Robertson-Harris
Nick Williams Brent Urban
Jonathan Bullard Abdullah Anderson
Abdullah Anderson John Jenkins
Jonathan Harris Trevon McSwain
Jalen Dalton Lee Autry
Daryle Banfield

The Bears defensive line was arguably the deepest position group on their roster last season, which served them well when Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols struggled with their respective injuries. Nick Williams and Roy Robertson-Harris rose to the occasion during their different absences, alongside one of Chicago’s most under-appreciated players in nose tackle Eddie Goldman. Their depth was certainly tested last season, and they handled the loss of Hicks the best they could’ve been expected to.

Heading into 2020, the Bears are returning the core of their defensive line, anchored by Hicks, Goldman, Nichols and Robertson-Harris. While they lost Williams to the Detroit Lions in free agency — a testament to his breakout season as a seven-year veteran — they did add some depth with former Bear John Jenkins and Brent Urban, who returns after signing with Chicago midway through last season.

Advantage: 2019

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POLL: Who was Bears’ best draft pick in 2020 NFL Draft?

While we don’t know how the Bears’ 2020 draft picks will ultimately pan out, there is certainly potential there.

The Chicago Bears welcomed seven new members to their roster following the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite not having a first-round pick for the second straight season, Bears general manager Ryan Pace was able to find some solid contributors that could develop into starters down the line.

Chicago had a pair of second-round selections, where they added two first-round talents in Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet and Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Kmet was the best tight end prospect in the draft while Johnson was considered by some to be a top-three cornerback talent that dropped to the second round due to injury concerns.

With those second-round picks, the Bears appear to have found two new starters for the 2020 season — players that figure to have immediate impacts in their rookie years.

The fifth round also proved to be lucrative for Pace, where he traded for two additional fifth-round selections to lock up three potential gems in edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and receiver Darnell Mooney. The Bears added depth at pass rusher, where Gipson will get to learn under the best in Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn.

Vildor joins a crowded cornerbacks room, but he also brings some special teams prowess to the table. Chicago also added some speed to their offense with the addition of Mooney. The Bears also added depth on the offensive line with a pair of seventh-round selections in Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons.

While we don’t know how these seven selections will ultimately pan out, there is certainly potential there.

What do you think, Bears fans? Who was Pace’s best draft selection in the 2020 NFL Draft?

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Bears announce rookie, free agent jersey numbers

Chicago announced the jersey numbers for its rookies and free agent additions.

Wondering which number new Bears tight end Cole Kmet will wear on Sundays? The Chicago Bears have the answer for you. The Bears announced jersey numbers for their 2020 rookie draft class as well as their undrafted free agents on Saturday.

The Bears top two selections, Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, will wear numbers 85 and 33, respectively. 2019 sixth-round draft pick Duke Shelley, who wore 33 last season, will switch to number 20.

Edge rusher Trevis Gipson will don number 99, while their other cornerback Kindle Vildor will wear number 46. Their final fifth-round selection receiver Darnell Mooney has number 11. Finally, their pair of offensive linemen Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons will wear numbers 71 and 73, respectively.

The Bears also announced jersey numbers for their newest free agents signed this week. Receiver Trevor Davis will wear number 4, safety Tashaun Gipson has number 38, and defensive tackle John Jenkins will don number 90.

Chicago’s undrafted free agents also got their jersey numbers.

  • 2 Ahmad Wagner, receiver
  • 37o Artavis Pierce, running back
  • 44d Rashad Smith, linebacker
  • 46o Napoleon Maxwell, running back
  • 49d Keandre Jones, linebacker
  • 57 Ledarius Mack, linebacker
  • 60 Dieter Eiselen, guard
  • 63 Lee Autry, defensive tackle
  • 75 Trevon McSwain, defensive tackle
  • 76o Badara Traore, tackle
  • 97 LaCale London, linebacker

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Touchdown Wire gives Bears “B” grade for 2020 draft class

Despite not having a first-round pick for the second straight year, the Bears are garnering some solid grades for the 2020 draft class.

Despite not having a first-round pick for the second straight year — unless you count Khalil Mack — the Chicago Bears are garnering some solid grades for the 2020 draft class.

The Bears welcomed seven new members to their roster, including second-round selections tight end Cole Kmet and potential steal-of-the-draft in cornerback Jaylon Johnson. They also added depth with fifth-rounders edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and receiver Darnell Mooney and seventh-round offensive linemen Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons.

While there are some that aren’t pleased with the Bears’ selections, initial reactions to Chicago’s draft class has been positive. Touchdown Wire certainly feels so, as they’ve given the Bears a “B” grade for their 2020 draft haul.

The Bears didn’t have a first-round pick in 2020 as a result of the Khalil Mack trade, but they were able to get an absolute first-round defender in this draft. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson had minor injury concerns, but he’s one of the smartest, most-targeted, and mistake-proof players at his position in this class, and he should be able to take the field and start right away. Johnson slipped enough from his first-round talent that Chicago were able to take Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, also in the second round. Kmet isn’t the most dynamic tight end in this draft class, especially on intermediate and deep throws, but he’s a good all-round player.

The guy Bears fans might want to get excited about in this class is fifth-round pass-rusher Trevis Gipson out of Tulsa. At 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds, Gipson isn’t developed in his technique, but his raw physical tools explode off the tape.

While giving out grades are premature — we’re certainly guilty — it’s always interesting to see how these draft classes and players ultimately pan out several years down the line. There can be high-ranked draft classes that turn out to be complete and utter failures or low-ranked draft classes that can thrive.

There’s a lot of potential for the Bears’ 2020 draft class — including some potential steals and late-round gems — and it’ll be exciting to see how these newest Bears pan out.

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Bears’ 2020 draft class earn B+ grade from NFL.com

Despite not having a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bears have earned some solid grades for their draft class.

The 2020 NFL Draft has wrapped, and there are plenty of opinions around the NFL landscape surrounding all 32 teams. Although the consensus reaction surrounding the Packers’ draft was that it was abysmal, which certainly makes Bears fans happy.

There’s been a more positive reaction about the Bears’ 2020 draft class. While it’s far too early to start handing out grades for these draft picks, we just can’t help ourselves. And the same goes for everyone else.

Chicago has earned everything from a B+ to a D+ for their early draft class grades, a clear indication that these grades don’t mean anything at this point. Still, it’ll make for a good story a few years down the line — or a nightmare depending on the draft class.

The Bears earned a B+ grade from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter for their 2020 draft class — a B+ for Day 2 and A- for Day 3.

The Bears’ first-round pick this year was held by the Raiders as part of the deal for sackmaster Khalil Mack. They found a talented tight end in Kmet (whom I like more than most), though the pick gives them an absurd amount of depth at the position. Johnson was a good pick later in the second round, as well. Gipson is an underrated player who offered solid value in the fifth round. Vildor has many fans across the league. Hambright is an intriguing prospect with great upside for a seventh-round pick.

While the Bears didn’t have a first-round pick, they still have one of the best players in Khalil Mack leading their top-tier defense. Although, with the selection of Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, Reuter mistakes “absurd amount of depth” at tight end. There are only three tight ends that are locks for the roster right now — Kmet, Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris. The others will be battling for a roster spot and will likely find themselves on the chopping block.

Chicago addressed some needs on defense with the selections of Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who the Bears envision leading the Bears cornerbacks alongside Kyle Fuller for the future. Tulsa edge rusher Trevis Gipson is another underrated player that the Bears nabbed in the fifth-round, and he has all the tools to develop into a contributor down the line.

Sure, the Bears didn’t make a big splash in the 2020 NFL Draft — they only had two picks in the first four rounds. But considering what they were working with — five late-round picks — the Bears addressed some needs and got some possible steals in this draft.

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6 takeaways from the Bears’ 2020 NFL Draft

There’s a lot to digest with this Bears’ draft class, including several implications for this team moving forward in 2020.

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, the Chicago Bears welcomed seven new players to their roster. General manager Ryan Pace addressed several roster needs, including tight end with Cole Kmet, cornerback with Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor, pass rush with Trevis Gipson, receiver Darnell Mooney and offensive line with Arlington Hambright and Lachavious Simmons.

There’s a lot to digest with this Bears’ draft class, including several implications for this team moving forward in 2020.

Here are six takeaways from the Bears’ 2020 draft class.

1. Safety wasn’t a pressing priority in their eyes

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, safety was listed among the top needs for the Bears. With a strong safety spot left to vacate with Ha Ha Clinton Dix’s departure, the Bears were expected to bring in a rookie to start opposite Eddie Jackson.

The stars looked to be aligning for Chicago in the second round. The Bears had some top safeties still on the board when picks 43 and 50 rolled around, and they’d have had their pick of LSU’s Grant Delpit, Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr. and Southern Illinois’ Jeremy Chinn.

Instead, they opted to select tight end Cole Kmet at pick 43, surely a need, but it was definitely a surprise. When pick 50 rolled around, they nabbed one of the draft’s top cornerbacks in Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, which no one could argue with.

“It was a pretty deep corner draft and there was a run on them in the first round,” GM Ryan Pace told reporters. “We tried to stay true to our board as we could and when Cole was there with that first pick, we were excited to get him there at that spot.”

There were still some developmental safeties on the board when Round 5 rolled around, but the Bears opted to forgo safety for edge rusher, cornerback and wide receiver. If anything, it speaks more to the deeper cornerback class than anything.

The Bears feel comfortable, to a degree, with Deon Bush, Jordan Lucas and DeAndre Houston-Carson competing for that strong safety spot opposite Jackson. Not to mention, the Bears could still snag Tony Jefferson on the free-agent market if anything else.

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POLL: How would you grade Chicago Bears’ 2020 draft class?

The Bears 2020 draft class features some potential steals and some late-round gems that could become something down the line.

The Chicago Bears have welcomed the newest members of their roster with their 2020 draft class, which features some potential steals and some late-round gems that could become something down the line for them.

Oh, and they also got a potential Hall of Fame player that is one of the best defensive players in the league.

The Bears were without a first-round pick for the second straight year after a trade for former All-Pro Khalil Mack, who for all intents and purposes has been Chicago’s first-rounder for the last two years. With general manager Ryan Pace known for not always hitting on his first-round picks, Mack is certainly a “safe” choice.

Chicago had two selections in the second round — one from the Las Vegas Raiders in the Mack trade — and they nabbed two first-round talents in tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson. There’s no doubt about it that the Bears got the consensus best tight end prospect in the draft in Kmet, who will be utilized as a class “Y” or in-line tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense.

But they also got a steal in the second round with Johnson, who’s been pegged by some as a top-three corner. He’ll compete for the starting right cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller, and you have to believe he has the upper hand at this point.

The Bears were supposed to have a fourth-round compensatory selection, which they traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for quarterback Nick Foles. So, you could say, that Chicago did draft a quarterback this year in acquiring Foles.

Perhaps Chicago’s strongest moves came in the fifth round, where Pace traded twice to acquire two additional fifth-rounders. That says everything you need to know about the prospects acquired in the fifth round. The Bears drafted Tulsa edge rusher Trevis Gipson — who they traded a 2021 fourth-round pick to select — and his upside is too good not to get excited about.

The Bears also drafted Georgia Southern cornerback Kindle Vildor with their actual fifth-rounder, who presents as an athletic corner with special teams upside. Chicago traded two sixth-round picks to the Philadelphia Eagles to move back into the fifth round to take Tulane receiver Darnell Mooney, who is the speedster the Bears have been waiting for.

To conclude the 2020 draft class, the Bears added two offensive linemen in the seventh round. They added a guard in Colorado’s Arlington Hambright, who’s relatively inexperienced, and Tennessee State’s Lachavious Simmons, a four-year starter that will play tackle. Both will provided much-needed depth on the offensive line.

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How would you grade the Bears’ 2020 draft class?

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