SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 24: Khyiris Tonga #95 of the Brigham Young Cougars celebrates after his blocked field goal against the Utah Utes in the first half of a game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears realized they must enter win now mode to keep their jobs. However, who are some late round gems from the Windy City class ?
It’s hard to actually give a complement to somebody who has been given multiple chances. That said, give it up for Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace. Sometimes taking a risk is worth all the backlash from years before.
The Bears were aggressive in the 2021 NFL Draft starting on Thursday night. Moving up nine spots to grab Ohio State’s Justin Fields was a move that caused the internet to explode. The trade up again for Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins proved that Chicago isn’t playing around.
Nor should they. If Pace and Matt Nagy struggle, this is a team that has a franchise quarterback, and will keep him over the coach and general manager without question. Looking back at Chicago’s roster, they filled two of the biggest holes from being front-fledged playoff contenders.
Still, winning on Day 3 separates the poor front offices from the elite ones. What will Chicago be entering the 2021 season? Here’s three sleepers that could transform into stars for the Windy City franchise.
3 Sleepers from the 2021 Bears Draft Class
3
Khyiris Tonga
DT BYU
If the Bears continue to run a 3-4 defense, they need to add depth behind Eddie Goldman at the nose tackle role. Someone who can be a bull-rusher up the middle might only come in handy down the line.
Tonga’s production has been impressed about the position despite playing Limited teams in 2020. What might be the biggest difference between him and another late round edition is his effectiveness when trying block a pass at the line of scrimmage. He had 12 pass deflections during his time with the Cougars and won most of his one-on-one battles.
Goldman opted out last season, so who knows if he will be the same player the Bears thought he was in 2019. Bilal Nichols can handle some production, but you draft the long term replacements in the later rounds.
Don’t expect Tonga to be Day 1 starter, but is tremendous value in the selection. This might be the one player who is not considered a boom or bust right away and given time, could become a Pro Bowl talent.