The Chicago Bears had five picks on day three. They traded up for Larry Borom, who provides much-needed depth across the offensive line. However, their next pick was a running back. While Khalil Herbert will be behind David Montgomery, Damien Williams, and Tarik Cohen.
Still, this signified that from this point they were not necessarily looking for starters or week one contributors. However, with these picks, they were able to fill needs, mostly on special teams.
Herbert did not do it often, but after transferring from Kansas to Virginia Tech, he became a vaunted kick returner. His vision and big-play ability combine and give him a shot to replace Cordarelle Patterson on the RB depth chart, but also as a kick return option.
Dazz Newsome has won multiple special teamer of the week awards for the Tar Heels while at UNC. He is more of a punt returner than a kick returner, which helps him compliment Herbert. The Bears had issues here when Tarik Cohen went down and may move Cohen out of the role to keep him healthy.
Lastly, the Bears drafted Khyiris Tonga from BYU. While a defensive tackle does not impact special teams in the same way as someone like Newsome or Herbert, there is a legitimate shot for Tonga to make the roster due to his special teams.
We had highlighted that Tonga has huge mitts, and blocking passes is something he excels at. He batted five balls down at the line of scrimmage last season and blocked a kick.
In the middle of a kick block group, Tonga will get his chances to plow right up the gut and get his hands on kicks in the NFL. This is such a small detail, but if he can save a point or two every year that goes a long way for a seventh-round pick.
You may not see these three lighting up the field for your fantasy team or stuffing the stat sheet. However, the Chicago Bears added three players who can immediately make the active roster because they provide on the third phase of football.