Bleacher Bums Forum

I was big on Kmet until I saw the highlights of Hopkins.  And a CB who has had surgery 3/4 last years???   In the second round we are picking someone with injury questions?  Pace has to go, sorry.

Brycen Hopkins?  Has he even been drafted yet?   Maybe tomorrow.

Flex tight end with enough route acumen and separation quickness to open throwing windows, but modest ball skills and below-average hands can turn potential completions into drops. Hopkins' issue with catch consistency has been ongoing and is unlikely to change as a pro. While the athletic talent looks good in space, there was a noticeable drop in production and opportunities when matched against man-cover talent. Hopkins could be viewed as a one-dimensional slot tight end with Day 3 draft potential, but his issues as a pass-catcher could limit his long-term prospects.

1. COLE KMET, Notre Dame (6-5 ½, 262, 4.68, 1-2): Kmet reminded one scout of ex-Cowboy Jason Witten (6-5 ½, 260, 4.67). “If you want an all-around guy, kind of a Kyle Rudolph-type guy, he’s it,” said another scout. “He’s faster than Kyle, but he doesn’t have the ball skills. He’s had some durability issues. He’s got great intangibles. He can run. He can catch. He doesn’t have an elite trait but you really love the body type and everything about him.” Third-year junior with 60 catches (43 in 2019) for 691 (11.5) and six TDs. “He’s not a talent like Vernon Davis or Evan Engram,” a third scout said. “He’s more of a throwback, classic Y tight end. He’s solid. He won’t fail.” From Lake Barrington, Ill. “I don’t see a great blocker and I don’t see a great receiver,” said a fourth scout. “I see a guy that’s more of a U. I don’t see a great Y. He reminds me a lot of the (Drew) Sample guy that came out last year out of Washington and plays with the Bengals. Some of the workout (numbers) were better than the player he is. I don’t see first round. I think he’s always going to be a solid No. 2 (tight end), maybe a good No. 3.” Wonderlic of 28.

This is the Bears who have been cursed at TE since Ditka and cursed at QB since the modern era began......

How an organization can be so bad at evaluating these two positions for so long is mind boggling. Its either extreme bad luck or intentional stupidity

The Bears badly needed a cornerback that has the capability of starting right away and Jaylon Johnson has a chance to do exactly that. The Utah cornerback got on the field early as a freshman and became a two-year starter before skipping his team’s bowl game this past season and declaring for the draft. At 5-11, 193 pounds with a 74 3/8 wingspan, Johnson has ideal NFL size and could have been a first round pick if not for lingering shoulder issues.

Strengths: Johnson has outstanding ball skills and great feet to move smoothly in tight coverage. His long arms pop on the tape, especially in man-to-man coverage. He tracks the ball in flight and delivered seven interceptions in his college career, returning two for touchdowns. Johnson has the speed to close and recover. He’s a very competitive player and not afraid to come up in run support. Against USC in 2019, Michael Pittman essentially avoided Johnson's side and did his damage against other defenders. Though Johnson  played on the left side of Utah's defense the majority of the time, he started to shadow opposing No. 1 wideouts mid-way through the 2019 season and showed he could play both sides in the Pac 12 title game. As a bonus, he’s young, having just turned 21 earlier this week.

Weaknesses: Johnson takes chances and sometimes he gets burned as a result. Penalties have been an issue. Three shoulder surgeries, including one after the Combine are a concern, but also contributed to him being available to the Bears at No. 50.

Ryan Pace's take: “Jaylon has a really good combination of size, athleticism and awareness. He’s that physical, press corner that uses his size really well. He uses his strength to his advantage, to re-route receivers. Jaylon is a really intelligent player, plays the game with excellent instincts and awareness, and you can see it in the way he plays. And Jaylon’s another guy with outstanding football makeup, really high football character. This is a guy who is driven and passionate. (There are) a lot of stories about his work ethic and just his professional approach to the game. So we feel real strong about the physical talent but also the makeup."

Bears trade up to 155...

Trevis Gipson - DE - Tulsa

163 - Kindle Vildor - CB - Georgia Southern

Bears gave a 2021 4th rounder to get the Gipson draft spot.

Developmental.  Quick.  5th ranked DE but I think he projects to OLB to backup Quinn and Mack

Overview
He's quite raw and in the dead center of his developmental phase, but it's hard not to get excited by the traits and flashes. Gipson was a late bloomer so he is still a little behind in his fundamentals and technique. He doesn't have go-to moves and counters, but the rush is real with a long, explosive first step and the athleticism and length to win the edge and harass the pocket. He needs better hand usage and lower body strength to handle himself at the point of attack, but he is a rangy tackler. Gipson isn't NFL-ready yet, but he's a potential diamond in the rough as a long-limbed defensive end in odd or even fronts.

NFL Comparison
Roy Robertson-Harris

They should have been trading down to acquire picks but that's the Bears for ya.....