Chicago Bears: Round Two Cornerback Targets

If the Chicago Bears were to go cornerback in the second round Isaiah Oliver and Carlton Davis could be strong options still available

Despite signing Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara this offseason, cornerback is still the defensive position in which the Chicago Bears have shown the most predraft attention to. Denzel Ward has been linked to the Bears in the slot, but many outside names have as well. The Bears may be thinking long term and an extra depth outside piece at some point. If they pass on Denzel Ward in round one, who are two cornerbacks that fit the mold in round 2?

Isaiah Oliver, Colorado

Ryan Pace has drafted just one cornerback since being named General Manager of the Chicago Bears. There is a microscopic sample size as to what Pace looks for in his cornerbacks. However, when looking at his one draft pick, and their big free agent splash signing, Prince Amukamara two things to stand out, both stood well over 6′ tall.

Vic Fangio’s defense has always been attached to long and tall cornerbacks, so when slimming the list, especially in a high upside round like the second, this is the type of cornerback Pace could be targeting.

Isaiah Oliver does not only fit the bill in size, he also is a player the Bears have been reaching out to former coaches about to get information on. One glance at Oliver’s combine performance and you can easily see that Pace is again drawn to the long and tall cornerback.

Oliver is long and tall with elite reach, hands, and height. He comes from a family that features a father who spent time in the NFL and as a decathlete. For his elite size, Oliver is fast, strong and agile.

Despite having just three career interceptions, Oliver is able to use his combination of size, athleticism and ball skills to make consistent plays on the ball deep down the field.

Below, Oliver is able to break off from zone and run free into the middle of the field. Watch how quickly he is able to make up ground down the field.

This was one of his three interceptions. Oliver has underrated ball skills.

He has the speed to stay stride for stride with his man down the field. Oliver is also able to read his man, get his head turned around and use his hand-eye to pick up the ball and knock it away at the last second.

Below is perfect form down the field. He plays the receiver, gets his body turned around and completely boxes his man out down the field. The high upside to make these plays down the field against bigger receivers could push him into the first round.

However, there is some ironing out to do in his game. Oliver is not the most instinctual corner when it comes to recognition and understanding. Below, he is taking the deep third in zone. However, without a receiver on his side, he gets caught up with his eyes in the backfield. The slot receiver is able to roam across the field free as Oliver has to turn awkwardly and recover on an easy completion.

Oliver also has issues in terms of tackling and understanding angles. There are a lot of instances where his physical abilities are able to overcome his mental mistakes. The question is whether or not those mistakes will kill him in the NFL.

Still, that is a fair reason not to look into Oliver at 8. In the second round, the upside is absolutely worth investing in. Colorado cornerbacks have had recent success in the NFL and Oliver could be the next in that line.

Carlton Davis, Auburn

Davis, like Isaiah Oliver, checks the height, weight, length measurements that should have the Bears gushing in the second round. However, as shown in his athletic profile, he is a bit different stylistically from Oliver.

Davis is not as fast and athletic. However, he is much more physical. Where Isaiah Oliver plays a trail technique to force deep passes and defend comebacks, Davis plays to keep you in front of him, and it usually starts with a jam at the line of scrimmage. His reach comes into play early and his physicality to keep his man at arm’s length throughout the route disrupts any chance of the pass is complete.

On top being an extremely physical cornerback, Davis is a smart and instinctive cornerback. He can make up for some of the plays that Oliver can make with athleticism by being in the right spot ahead of time. Watch Davis playing off coverage below. With two routes breaking off near each other about ten yards down the field Davis does a good job of staying in position and breaking into his zone with the receiver. Finally, the length and physicality come into play as he knocks the pass away.

Davis is taking the short underneath here. Watch his eyes. He reads the play, passes off the outside route and jumps the underneath, forcing another incompletion.

Davis can also be looked at as a vocal leader on the field as well. With motion, Davis is able to recognize the play. He calls it out to his cornerback and points out the running back underneath as well. He jams the slot receiver, and breaks off to the sideline, perfectly defending the play.

Of course, there is a reason Davis may not go in round one. He is a bit tight and struggles to change speeds when it comes to comebacks and curls. He also does not have the best ball skills down the field.

Oliver may have a slightly higher ceiling with his ball skills and overall athleticism. However, Davis, with his physicality, size, and understanding is a safer bet and a player who can get on the field next season.

Given the Chicago Bears looking more for the future with this pick than 2018 impact, it may not be surprising that they view Oliver higher. However, right now, the better prospect is likely Davis.

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