Chicago Bears: 7 things to do with the draft class over the final five games

The Chicago Bears must promote Thomas Graham Jr. to the active roster

In place of Duke Shelley, who went on IR with a hamstring injury after the loss to the Ravens, third-year player Xavier Crawford has stepped into the starting nickel cornerback role.

On a third-and-2 at Chicago’s 23-yard line late in the second quarter against Arizona, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray threw a pass to running back James Conner in the flat. Crawford closed the distance and was in a position to make the tackle at the line to gain.

Instead, Crawford whiffed on the tackle and Conner scored. The Cardinals went up 21-7.

Crawford, clearly, isn’t the future at the nickel corner spot, and Shelley hasn’t done much to solidify himself as the starter moving forward. But the case is still out there for sixth-round draft pick Thomas Graham Jr.

On Tuesday, the Bears protected Graham on the practice squad, which could indicate Chicago may flex him to the roster, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain.

If this is what the Bears are planning on doing, it would be the right decision. That being said, Graham playing at nickel corner against the Packers would be highly unlikely and an overall tough situation to make a regular-season debut.

But the Bears should look at all their options at the position, and as of now, Graham is still an unknown, which could be better than what the Bears have seen as of late.