New Chicago Bears cornerback is now part of a franchise, 20-year tradition

Chicago Bears 2022 Draft: Kyler Gordon, CB (39), Jaquan Brisker, S ( 48)

In Ryan Poles' first draft as the Chicago Bears general manager, the team was without a first-round selection after trading up for Justin Fields the previous year. Nonetheless, with two top 50 selections in the second round, the Bears added two defensive backs in Washington corner Kyler Gordon and Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker.

Gordon had a promising rookie season, where he showed flashes of talent and ball skills while still figuring out his role on the back end of the Bears' defense. As a rookie, Gordon started in all 14 games that he was available for and recorded three interceptions, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and 71 total tackles despite splitting time on the boundary and in the slot.

Brisker potentially had an even stronger rookie season, starting in all 15 games that he was available for while contributing one interception, two pass breakups, four sacks, one forced fumble, and 104 total tackles from the strong safety position. Alongside Eddie Jackson, Brisker so far seems to be a great complement, playing well both in the defensive backfield and in the box.

With Gordon slated to move to the slot full-time in 2023 and Brisker returning to the strong safety role, both of these second-round picks did enough as rookies to be relied upon as starters in their second seasons. The most recent second-round picks to serve in the Bears' secondary join a player drafted around the same spot just two years prior.