As a Week 18 showdown with Green Bay looms large, all focus has shifted to getting in the way of a Packers playoff bid. The Detroit Lions accomplished that feat this time last season and many Bears fans find solace in that comparison. Truthfully, it means nothing. However, Chicago has improved tremendously in the back half of this season, as did the Lions in 2022. The comparison does offer some validity in certain aspects, such as the young talent that has made an impact for both franchises in the midst of rebuilds. The 2022 draft class showed general manager Ryan Poles has an eye for talent, especially in late-round selections. He strengthened that notion in 2023 with what seems like another hit on a bevy of rookies.
2023 Chicago Bears Rookie Review
Round 1, Pick 10
Darnell Wright – Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
The offensive tackle out of the University of Tennessee was Ryan Poles’ “first” first-round selection of his Bears tenure. With 16 games under his belt, the rookie has cemented his status as a franchise right tackle for this organization. Like any other rookie, Darnell Wright has areas in which he can improve, but the young tackle has run a gauntlet of elite pass rushers and interior defenders this season and held up fairly well. Rashan Gary, Vita Vea, Chris Jones, Maxx Crosby, and Danielle Hunter are among that list.
PFF has Wright with a 61.4 player grade, with his pass blocking at 61.0 and run blocking at 64.8 grades. As they say, iron sharpens iron and the rookie faced some of the best early on in his career, which only benefits him.
Round 2, Pick 53
Gervon Dexter Sr. – Defensive Tackle, Florida
Admittedly, the rookie defensive tackle started slow. Early in the season, Gervon Dexter Sr. was hindered by a snap count and a different defensive coordinator, while also kicking a slow get-off that was taught in Florida’s system, which was a factor in his draft stock.
Fast forward 17 weeks and Dexter has steadily improved each week. Against Atlanta, he put up his best performance of the year with 1.5 sacks, two hits, and four total tackles. The get-off was seemingly exaggerated and went away with time, as the front office and coaching staff expected.
His knock at the moment is his ability to play the run. That is evident by Dexter’s 38.3 PFF run defense grade and head coach Matt Eberflus’ latest comments when asked about the young defensive tackle.
Matt Eberflus on rookie Gervon Dexter: "He's really just on the rise."
Mentioned the need to be more consistent against the run going forward, but loves how the second-round pick has developed this year as a pass rusher. Cited putting Dexter alongside Montez Sweat as something…
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) January 3, 2024
Round 2, Pick 56
Tyrique Stevenson – Cornerback, Miami
A reminder that the Bears traded up from 61 to obtain the services of the defensive back out of the University of Miami. Lauded as a physical corner who excels in man coverage, Tyrique Stevenson, like many rookie cornerbacks, struggled early in coverage. However, it is worth noting the Bears’ defense played often in zone coverage for much of the first few weeks of the season, which may have factored into his early struggles.
Now, Stevenson has garnered national attention. Recently voted as NFC Defensive Player of Week 18, the Bears rookie cornerback has racked up 4 interceptions, 15 passes defended, a forced fumble, and 79 combined tackles on the year, per Pro Football Reference.
Tyrique Stevenson on winning NFC defensive player of the week honors: "I’m still surprised. Everybody just keeps walking up saying congratulations, so I’m just waiting to hear from my mom to see how she’s going to react to it."
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) January 3, 2024
Stevenson has provided dependability and more in the secondary alongside Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson, which is a major development for a unit that experienced woes in the season prior.
Round 3, Pick 64
Zacch Pickens – Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
Zacch Pickens was drafted to be a decent rotational piece for this Bears defensive line that had little to no depth in 2022. He’s done just as expected, although it doesn’t show on the stat sheet. Lester Wiltfong Jr. of Windy City Gridiron lists snap counts every week for the Bears and Pickens has ranged from 20-31 percent of snaps since Week 12.
Round 4, Pick 115
Roschon Johnson – Running back, Texas
“Bijan’s backup” was the mantra for the Texas product the Bears opted to select in Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite this, in his time with Chicago, Johnson has shown flashes of explosive, play-making ability and is reliable as a pass-catcher. The rookie running back has seen an increase in workload throughout the year not only because of his ability, but due to his strengths as a blocker in the backfield as well.
Round 4, Pick 133
Tyler Scott – Wide Receiver, Cincinnati
Adding blazing speed and a downfield target for Justin Fields this offseason in Tyler Scott had many excited for 2023.
Unfortunately, when the opportunity has knocked his season for the rookie wide receiver, Scott has been unable to answer. Drops have been the main concern, as his routes have been smooth and polished and separation is easily made.
There is still so much time and room for development from the young offensive weapon and fans should have faith that Scott will put it together sooner rather than later.
Round 5, Pick 148
Noah Sewell – Linebacker, Oregon
The fifth-round draft pick out of Oregon has the potential to be a quality linebacker in the National Football League. However, he’s simply buried beneath a very talented Bears linebacking corps. Noah Sewell has provided quality depth for Chicago and plays a quality role on special teams.
Round 5, Pick 165
Terell Smith – Cornerback, Minnesota
Some might say the rookie corner out of Minnesota was the hidden gem of Ryan Poles’ second draft class. Truly, Smith has battled his way into Chicago’s secondary rotation and provided quality depth and starts both regularly and in place of fellow rookie corner Tyrique Stevenson due to injury/sickness.
Smith played 78% of the snaps in the Week 17 win against Atlanta, further proving he’s become an invaluable addition to this Bears defense.
Late Round Additions
Round 7, Pick 218
Travis Bell – Defensive Tackle, Kennesaw State
Bell was signed to the Bears practice squad following the draft but did not make the active roster. He has since been signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, released, and claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Round 7, Pick 258
Kendall Williamson – Safety, Stanford
Williamson was signed to the Bears practice squad following the draft and remains on the Bears practice squad.
UDFA Tyson Bagent – Quarterback, Shepherd University
The only noteworthy undrafted free agent for the Bears is Tyson Bagent. Bears fans saw the rookie in action mid-season as a result of Justin Fields’ thumb injury. Consequently, Bagent steered the ship for 4.5 games and managed a record of 2-2 in that span. For a Division 2 undrafted free agent, Bagent exceeded expectations and showed qualities fitting that of an NFL backup quarterback.
Overall, this year’s draft class shows the improvement this roster has made. Continually adding rookie talent to an improving roster will help develop a winning football team in Chicago.
Main Photo: [Scott Galvin] – USA Today Sports
