NEWSLETTER
Ryan Poles’ first draft class as Chicago Bears GM yielded three immediate rookie starters — not bad when you consider how little draft capital Poles was working with when he took the job in January 2022.
As we gear up for training camp in 2023, it looks like Poles’ second draft class could take the baton from last year’s group and run with it.
NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter put together a projected All-Rookie Team and the Bears are well-represented. First-round pick Darnell Wright and second-rounder Tyrique Stevenson (both top-60 picks in last April’s NFL Draft) make the cut for Reuter. And for good reason.
Wright was the second offensive lineman taken off the board and had a strong case for being OL1 in a class without a certified standout at the top of the rankings. The Tennessee product has experience on both sides of the line, but was at his best playing right tackle — where he’ll line up in Chicago when things get going in Week 1. Reuter sees Wright with a major task ahead of him in having to protect quarterback Justin Fields and clear space for a running game that features Khalil Herbert, newcomer D’Onta Foreman, fellow rookie Roschon Johnson, and the occasional Fields scamper. But it’s hard not to believe Wright won’t be up for the challenge.
Keep in mind that Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus hasn’t been shy about pushing rookies early. And to this point, Wright is no exception. The team put together an aggressive development plan for Wright during the offseason training program. For what it’s worth, Wright was been thriving despite the challenges put in front of him. We know better than to put too much stock into what happens before the pads come on. But the arrow is so clearly pointing up for Wright.
Stevenson was the 56th overall selection and was a top-10 cornerback prospect based on our pre-draft composite rankings. And in a class that was loaded with stud prospects at cornerback and safety, Stevenson was one of the first 10 defensive backs to be chosen in the draft. To me, that speaks volumes about what the Bears’ decision-makers thought of Stevenson as a prospect and who he could become as a rookie. Also: The Bears swung a trade up in the second round to take Stevenson, which really says a lot about how they felt. It also suggests the Bears were wanting to beat someone to the punch who they believed would take Stevenson before he got to their early third-round pick. With that being said, I’m #NotAScout. But the things Stevenson did as a cornerback at Miami that made him such an alluring prospect tend to be what makes quality corners in the pros.
MORE: These Tyrique Stevenson Highlights Have Me Excited About the Chicago Bears Defense
Stevenson, who is already making a strong first impression, has tape that shows a strong and aggressive playmaker with a knack for making big plays on the ball. Receivers in the NFC North and around the NFL will make it tougher than it was in the ACC. Being a rookie cornerback is never easy. However, Stevenson plays with the bravado one needs to be a successful cornerback at the next level. And, hey, Stevenson will be challenged well before he even gets to the season opener against Green Bay. He’ll square off against D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool during training camp. In other words, Stevenson will be tested before we even get to Week 1.
In the end, it doesn’t take much to envision Wright and Stevenson shining as rookies from the get-go. And in 22 days, we’ll get to see both youngsters take their first steps at the Bears’ first open training camp practice. See ya there!
