The Chicago Bears hold seven picks in this year’s draft. They have the 10th overall pick, 39th, 41st, 72nd, 148, 233 & 240. Thanks to what they were able to accomplish thus far in the offseason, they are not in a position where they are drafting strictly for need. They can take a “best player available” approach with all their picks.

Over the next several weeks I’ll spotlight every position group, with the exception of quarterback (the Bears won’t draft one) and specialists (aka kickers, punters and long snappers).

In this piece, I’ll take a look at defensive backs.

CORNERBACKS

The Bears have two solid cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and nickelback Kyler Gordon, and one question mark.

Tyrique Stevenson got off to a promising start in 2024, but much like the entire Bears season, he fell apart after the Hail Mary loss to Washington.

I feel like the Bears will draft a cornerback in this draft, in what round depends on how they feel about Stevenson.

First Round

In these pieces I’m trying to focus on players that have a realistic chance of being drafted by the Bears. That’s why this will be my only mention of Colorado’s Travis Hunter.

Michigan’s Will Johnson may be there at ten, and if the Bears have lost faith in Stevenson then this would be a fine pick.

Texas’ Jahdae Barron is worthy of a first round pick, but he’s best suited for nickelback and the Bears have a pretty good one in Kyler Gordon.

Day Two

There’s some good corners that will be available on day two of the draft. Taking a corner in the second round would seem to show a complete lack of faith in Stevenson, while a third round corner, or later pick would serve to put him on notice.

East Carolina’s Shavon Revel has all the physical attributes and measurables to become an early starter in the NFL. He has been mocked in the first round, but he did suffer a season ending knee injury last September which could push him into day two.

Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison has great ball skills. He’s excellent in zone but struggles a bit in man coverage.

Ole Miss’ Trey Amos is also better in zone than man coverage, and he’s a subpar run defender.

Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas has shown good traits and improvement in his college career. He needs more seasoning, but he has the potential to be an above average outside corner.

Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston possesses blazing speed and good ball skills, he’s a threat to take any interception to the house. His slight build could pose an issue against bigger receivers and he doesn’t offer much in run support.

Iowa State’s Darien Porter is good athlete and he’s shown the traits to be a quality NFL cornerback, he also adds value on special teams. He’s an older prospect and still needs seasoning, though.

Ohio State’s Denzel Burke is a strong run defender and he’s decent in zone, but struggles in man coverage.

Virginia Tech’s Dorian Strong is an average athlete and lacks top end speed, but his coverage skills are above average in zone and man.

Day Three Prospects

Day three is when I think the Bears are most likely to pick a cornerback. There will still be some decent prospects available and most offer special teams value as well.

• Cobee Bryant, Kansas
• Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
• Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
• Justin Walley, Minnesota
• Zah Frazier, UTSA
• Mello Dotson, Kansas
• Jermari Harris, Iowa
• Isas Waxter, Villanova
• Jason Marshall Jr, Florida

SAFETIES

On the surface, safety doesn’t look like a need for the Bears, but there are question marks. Kevin Byard’s age, for one. He had a decent first season in Chicago, but he’s not the Pro Bowl caliber player he once was.

Then there’s the troubling concussion history of Jaquan Brisker. He suffered a concussion in Week 5, against Carolina, his fourth known concussion of his NFL career. He didn’t play another snap during the season. The Bears have to be a little bit concerned.

The Bears depth at safety is okay, but bringing in another might not be a bad idea. They shouldn’t do it in the first round, however.

Day Two

There are two safeties that have first round grades in this draft. Georgia’s Malaki Starks & South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori. Of the two, Emmanwori is the most likely to slip into the second round, and also the one I’d prefer. The chances, though, are slim.

Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts has been a popular pick for the Bears in mock drafts. I like Watts, but picking him in the second round probably means missing out on either a left tackle, edge rusher or running back.

Texas’ Andrew Mukuba, Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr & Ohio State’s Lathan Ransom are realistic third round targets.

Mukuba is the better pass defender, Winston the better run defender, while Ransom is a good combination of the two.

Day Three Prospects

I think the Bears could still find an eventual starting safety on day three of the draft. Here’s some names to watch:

• Billy Bowman, Oklahoma
• Jonas Sanker, Virginia Tech
• Jaylen Reed, Penn State
• Malachi Moore, Alabama
• Sebastian Castro, Iowa
• Kitan Crawford, Nevada
• Craig Woodson, California

Depending on how the Bears feel about Tyrique Stevenson, safety is the bigger need. If Will Johnson is available at ten, he’d be hard to pass up. Instant upgrade and he’d give the Bears a pair of lockdown corners, to go with one of the better nickelbacks in the NFL.

I haven’t seen any mocks with the Bears going Johnson, but I think it could be one of those under the radar possibilities.

The Bears won’t address safety in the first round, but there is a good chance they do on day two. Emmanwori probably doesn’t make it to day two, but if he does they’d have to think long and hard about it.

Personally, I think round three would be the earliest they address the secondary, but there is a possibility someone will be available at one of their earlier picks that they have a high grade on.