Chicago Bears: Reviewing Poles’ Moves During Draft Weekend

 The Chicago Bears had a busy weekend during and after the NFL Draft. Here is a review of general manager Ryan Poles’ moves.

The Chicago Bears had an eventful weekend. General manager Ryan Poles did a good job of adding tough, athletic players who embody head coach Matt Ebeflus’ HITS principle.

Poles felt the Bears were weak in the trenches. That was true since they ranked last in sacks given up and sacks recorded. He set out to change that.

Poles added strength in the trenches by adding Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, and Travis Bell. In Wright, he got the right tackle needed to protect quarterback Justin Fields. He is a big, athletic, and mean lineman who can stay with any pass rusher.

By selecting three defensive tackles, in addition to the free agent pickups, Poles is setting up a situation in which the Bears’ defensive line will wear down opponents. The Bears were in eight one-score games last season and lost seven of them. Many times the defense just wore down and teams easily gashed the middle of the line. That won’t happen again.

Poles also strengthened the secondary. He added two cornerbacks, Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith. Both are tall defenders who are good tacklers as well. They also have the speed to keep up with any receiver.

In addition to the two corners, Poles also selected Kendall Williamson, a safety. He is a hard hitter who provides good run support. He still needs to improve his pass coverage but could be a good depth piece.

Poles also continued to overhaul the linebackers unit. He added Noah Sewell to add depth in the middle linebacker spot. He also helps provide good run support, something that the Bears sorely needed.

Finally, Poles added speed and athleticism to the offense. Roschon Johnson is a tough-minded runner who can avoid tacklers or run over. He will start out as a special teams specialist. With his running and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield he could quickly contribute to the offense.

In Tyler Scott, the Bears get a speedy, big-play receiver. He can contribute in a number of ways. He could run the jet sweep effectively. Moreover, he can succeed at all three levels. He can take a short pass like a screen and take it for a big play. Additionally, he can make moves and create separation in a medium-yard pass. Finally, he can blow past defenders and make the play deep. In fact, during his time in college, he averaged 44.6 yards per touchdown play.

Poles wasn’t finished after the draft

Poles was not finished adding to the roster once the draft ended. Afterward, he signed nine undrafted prospects.

Here is the list of undrafted prospects:

Andre Szmyt, K, Syracuse

Andre Szmyt was the highest scorer in Syracuse’s history. He hit on 81 percent of his field goals attempted. He also averaged about 62 yards per kickoff.

Szmyt comes in to give Cairo Santos some competition. Santos missed some critical field goals in 2022 and had a moment in which he wasn’t confident enough to attempt another one.

Having competition from Szmyt could rev Santos’ competitive spirit and have him play better. Remember, former Chicago Bears legendary kicker Robbie Gould also went through a dry spell and he credited the Bears cutting him with reigniting his career.

Of course, Szmyt could ultimately do great and win the job, At any rate, it will be exciting to see this battle.

Micah Baskerville, LB, LSU

Poles continues to overhaul the linebackers unit. In Eberflus’ defense, the linebackers are crucial for success. The unit is faster and more athletic with the additions of T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. He added depth with Sewell and hopefully with Micah Baskerville.

Baskerville did not feel his stats were good enough after his senior season so he took advantage of the extra year given due to COVID. It helped him as he recorded 89 total tackles, one sack, and a pick-six.

He hopes to duplicate what Jack Sanborn did. Sanborn went undrafted but still ended up being a starter. Baskerville can provide good depth.

Robert Burns, RB, Connecticut

Picking up Johnson in the fifth round filled up the running backs room. However, Poles wants the Bears to continue to have the best rushing attack in the league.

Robert Burns will have a difficult road to make the team. Second-year player Trestan Ebner could be in trouble, however.

Tyson Bagent, QB, Sheperd

Justin Broiles, S, Oklahoma

De’Jahn Warren, CB, Jackson State

The next two signees are likely the best candidates to make the team and actually contribute on the field. First up is De’Jahn Warren out of Jackson State.

In limited play last season, quarterbacks had a passer rating of just 49.8 when targeting him. He is 6-foot-1 and weighs 185 pounds and has the speed and footwork to defend receivers. He has a 4.29-40 so he has blazing speed. Additionally, he tackles well.

Warren has a good feel and anticipation for a play. He diagnoses it quickly and makes a play. He needs more polishing but could end up being a huge pickup for the Chicago Bears.

Gabe Houy, OL, Pittsburgh

The next candidate with a good chance of making the team is Gabe Houy from Pittsburgh.

One of the things that Poles wanted from his offensive linemen was some meanness. Houy has plenty of that. He is 6-foot-6 and weighs 325 so he has great size.

One of the reasons Bouy went undrafted was because he played out of position at Pitt. He played tackle but is better suited to kick inside at guard. He could eventually provide good depth there.