Chicago Bears: 5 reasons Ryan Pace nailed 2021 NFL Draft

4. The Chicago Bears saw Ryan Pace get extreme value late in the draft

When people talk about finding “late-round gems,” a lot of the time they mean players who have a real chance to stick on the roster and potentially see the field. Late-round gems are guys that, instead of being more of a lock for the practice squad, can crack the roster and earn a full year’s pay on the 53.

Pace didn’t just find gems in the late rounds, but guys who can come in and start right away. In Thomas Graham Jr., Pace drafted someone who very well could be the team’s starting slot corner. Graham is a player who came up with a whopping 28 passes defended in his last two seasons — that number is astounding for any type of prospect.

In Dazz Newsome, Pace found a receiver who was graded as a fourth-round talent by many outlets. Yet, he was also found in the sixth and could come in and take Anthony Miller’s playing time immediately.

The Khalil Herbert pick was head-scratching at first if you didn’t know why he was taken. As a kick returner, Herbert averaged nearly 27 yards per tote. That’s why Pace took him. He will instantly take over the void left by Cordarrelle Patterson — that’s a starting role.

Late in the seventh, Pace found his backup to Eddie Goldman with Khyiris Tonga. Very rarely do you see four late-round picks in which you already know have nearly a sure-fire shot to come in and make an impact right away. These are players that could not only be activated every single week but play meaningful snaps.