Chicago Bears Rookie Review through 5 weeks

Where do the Chicago Bears rookies stand heading into week six

After five weeks we have been able to get a glimpse into the Chicago Bears 2020 draft class. While these games surely do not define them, they do set the base of expectations for their careers moving forward. So, where do these rookies stand. Has their perception changed since being drafted.

Cole Kmet

There are two groups of thought when it comes to Kmet so far. One group of Chicago Bears fans claims he is already a bust, the other says that rookie tight ends struggle early and not to worry. Like most things, the reality is likely in between. No, Kmet playing about 20 snaps per game early into his career does not mean he is a bust.

At the same time, he has not played well in those 20 snaps, and even coming from someone with low expectations, it is fair to say that he has struggled to get off of the starting blocks. Kmet has started to be more involved in special teams, which shows he is starting to earn more trust. However, his snap totals have remained similar, and he has not shown much to earn more playing time yet. You do not have to write him off, but it is fair to note that Kmet has not looked good yet.

Stock Down 

Jaylon Johnson

Johnson had no offseason and was banged up in training camp, but he started week one. He saw Marvin Jones often and held his own. The following week, he was excellent against Darius Slayton. Olamide Zaccheus beat him a few times in week three, but Johnson was playing to keep everything in front of him. Zach Pascal beat Johnson for a 30 yard catch, but that was the extent of the damage, and while the great Mike Evans found the end zone on him, Evans did not explode on him either.

Johnson has been everything the Chicago Bears could have asked for. He has struggled with routes that go over the middle of the field, and double moves off of them. However, he has been shut down deep down the field and against the sidelines. This has been his specialty, and as he grows he should continue to excel.

Stock Up 

Trevis Gipson

Gipson has only played 13 snaps on defense and three on special teams. He was active week one and week four, but has been a healthy scratch in three of the Chicago Bears five games. On one hand, the Chicago Bears did not expect to need Barkevious Mingo and James Vaughters on the field so often, and that has held back Gipson.

On the other, he has not beat out a lower end name such as Vaughters for snaps. The bigger issue is that he has not caught on with special teams. Lower drafted players need to make a living on special teams to gain trust on defense. He is another player where you are not worried, but would have liked to see him show special teams value.

Stock Down 

Kindle Vildor

Vildor has taken advantage of his special teams chances. While he has only played one defensive snap, he has been active for every game. He has played 40 special teams so far, earning most of his time as a kick coverage player. It is not much, but these signs of growth are better than being inactive.

Stock Up 

Darnell Mooney

Mooney has played 200 offensive snaps for Chicago already. He has been targeted at least three times in each game, which four, five, and nine target games as well. He has put up 15 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown. Mooney has slid right into the Taylor Gabriel role, and the Bears have seen no drop off. He has squared off with the likes of Amani Orwariye, Corey Ballentine, Blidi-Wreh Wilson, Rock-Ya Sin, and Jamel Dean.

While he has out-snapped Miller, Miller has better per snap and per route metrics with very similar stats so far. Still, when the debate for your fifth round rookie is whether he is your number two or three wide receiver, he is making progress.

Stock Up 

Arlington Hambright

Hambright has not been active yet for Chicago. He is their end of the roster lineman and he does not play special teams, so it is tough to find a role. However, he was developmental as it was, and with the injury to James Daniels we will learn very quickly if the Bears trust him enough to be a backup on game days.

Stock Up

Lachavious Simmons

Simmons was picked behind Hambright and while Hambright is on the roster, he is on the practice squad. The roles could reverse very quickly, but after five weeks, there has not been much to see.

Stock down.