Player: Cole Kmet Position: TE College: Notre Dame Drafted: Round 2, 43rd Overall
Kmet is a hometown kid from Lake Barrington, Illinois. Went to Saint Viator high school before continuing on at Notre Dame. Kmet is the consensus best tight end in this years draft. He caught 43 passes for 515 yards and six touchdowns in 2019 for the Fighting Irish after missing the first two games of the season with a broken collarbone. The Bears had just two touchdowns from the tight end position last year (Jesper Horstead: 1, Ben Braunecker: 1). Kmet should be able to help immediately alongside free-agent signing Jimmy Graham. This pick fills one of the Bears biggest weaknesses from last season.
Player: Jaylon Johnson Position: CB College: Utah Drafted: Round 2, 50th Overall
With the departure of Prince Amukamara, the Bears needed a cornerback. Johnson, a second-team all-American at Utah was seen by some as a potential first-round talent. There are some injury concerns, but a higher upside pick and good size at 6’0, he will get an opportunity to start and play a lot of man coverage opposite Kyle Fuller.
Player: Trevis Gipson Position: DE/LB College: Tulsa Drafted: Round 5, 155th Overall
Gipson is pick made with intention of getting after the quarterback more. The Bears already signed Robert Quinn this off-season and Gipson is another addition that will help in creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He will probably fit in as an outside linebacker in the Bears scheme, but played DE at Tulsa. He definitely has a shot at the Bears rotation this season.
Player: Kindle Vildor Position: CB College: Georgia Southern Drafted: Round 5, 163rd Overall
The second cornerback taken by the Bears this year. Vildor could begin as a special teams option and provide depth at the cornerback position along with last years sixth-round pick, Duke Shelley. Vildor has decent size at 5’11, 190 pounds and may be needed more if injuries become a problem this year.
Player: Darnell Mooney Position: WR College: Tulane Drafted: Round 5, 173rd Overall
The Bears traded up to pick Mooney, so there is clearly a plan to use him this season. Mooney’s best asset is his blazing speed. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine (tied for 5th fastest with Denzel Mims). Speed is a weapon every team can use and something the Bears haven’t really had recently. Mooney likely fits into the slot and will need to help fill the hole left by Taylor Gabriel’s departure.
Player: Arlington Hambright Position: OG College: Colorado Drafted: Round 7, 226th Overall
The offensive line was a huge cause for concern in 2019 and although I might’ve liked to have seen it addressed earlier, the Bears still drafted two offensive linemen in the seventh-round. The first of is Arlington Hambright. Listed at 6’5, 300 lbs, Hambright will have an opportunity to provide some size on the Bears line.
Player: Lachavious Simmons Position: OT College: Tennessee State Drafted: Round 7, 227th Overall
The Bears last pick of the draft was a second offensive linemen, Lachavious Simmons. SImmons is listed at 6’5, 290 lbs and could play either tackle or guard. Seventh-Round picks tend to be longer shots to make an impact, but with two linemen, the Bears are hoping maybe one might be able to pan out and provide an upgrade from last years line, however I wouldn’t count on it. One positive is that the Bears do have a new offensive line coach in Juan Castillo so there is some new hope for the offensive line in 2020.