The 2023 NFL Draft is officially over, and while it will be impossible to grade the Chicago Bears' draft class for at least a few seasons, it appears that this rebuilding organization found a handful of dependable players who will start or contribute on the field shortly. Outside of first-round pick Darnell Wright, who has the chance to start at right tackle immediately in his rookie season, the Chicago Bears added several quality prospects such as Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Roschon Johnson, Tyler Scott, and Tyrique Stevenson.
Stevenson, who measures in at 6'0" and 200 lbs out of the University of Miami, was a notable draft selection on Friday for a couple of reasons. First, Stevenson was selected with the 56th overall selection in the second round, a pick that the Bears got back from the Carolina Panthers via the trade for the first overall pick (the pick originally belonged to the San Francisco 49ers, but Carolina acquired it in return for Christian McCaffrey).
But perhaps more important than how the Bears were able to add Stevenson is the place and manner in which they selected him. Historically speaking, the Chicago Bears have had great success drafting defensive backs in the second round, at least in recent history, and while it is too early to tell how Stevenson's career in Chicago will wind up, there is certainly a precedent for the Miami product to flourish in Chicago, despite being available deep into the second round.
Since the 2000 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have selected eight defensive backs in the second round, including the newest addition in Tyrique Stevenson. Considering how the other seven players have panned out, there should be a lot of excitement surrounding the former Cane's future in Chicago.
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.
Chicago Bears 2020 Draft: Jaylon Johnson, CB (50)
Similar to the 2022 Draft, the Chicago Bears entered the 2020 Draft with two second-round selections after trading their first-round pick the prior season. Near the middle of the second round, the Chicago Bears found former Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Three years later, Johnson has been a full-time starter at the outside cornerback position since joining the Bears. In that time, Johnson has started 39 games, recording one interception, 31 pass breakups, and 125 total tackles. Johnson has never allowed a 60% or greater completion percentage when targeted in any of his first three professional seasons. In 2022, Johnson allowed just one passing touchdown after allowing 10 over his first two seasons combined and appears to be a foundational piece of the defense moving forward.
However, Johnson is not the only lanky lockdown corner who wears number 33 that the Bears selected in the second round. But before we get to Peanut, there are more defensive backs between Johnson and Tillman who Chicago found in the second round.
Chicago Bears 2006 Draft: Danieal Manning, S (42), Devin Hester, DB (57)
In 2006, the Chicago Bears again had two second-round selections after not having a first-round pick, and just as they would do 16 years later, the team added two defensive backs at the top of their draft.
An eventual five-year starter at the safety position, the Chicago Bears found a small school gem in Abilene Christian's Danieal Manning. Before eventually joining the Houston Texans in 2011, Manning accumulated seven interceptions, 26 pass breakups, and 245 total tackles in Chicago, while also contributing as a part-time kick returner.
The other returner the Bears drafted in the second round of 2006 is much more decorated, and while Miami's Devin Hester never translated as a defender for Chicago, he was drafted as a cornerback out of college, adding to the team's history of second-round defensive backs. Hester excelled in his role on special teams as the main returner, shattering numerous records during his eight-year tenure in Chicago.
Chicago Bears 2003 Draft: Charles Tillman, CB (35)
A 12-year Chicago Bears veteran, Charles Tillman certainly had a great NFL career after being selected near the top of the second round in 2003. As a Bear, Tillman recorded over 150 starts, producing 36 interceptions, 133 pass breakups, a ridiculous 42 forced fumbles thanks to the "Peanut Punch", and over 750 solo tackles.
In Chicago, Tillman helped anchor one of the premier defensive units of the decade, helping the Bears reach the Super Bowl at the end of the 2006 season. One of the most prolific cornerbacks of his generation, Tillman undoubtedly surpassed the expectations of a second-round selection. Still, he also had the pleasure of playing in front of one of the better safeties of the era in another second-round selection just three seasons prior.
Chicago Bears 2000 Draft: Mike Brown, S (39)
In nine years with the Chicago Bears, Mike Brown started 99 games where he logged 17 interceptions, 43 pass breakups, seven sacks, and seven defensive touchdowns. As a Bear, Brown was a reliable and talented safety and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro nomination. On the back end of the defense, Brown was an integral part of the team's success in the early 2000s and was the first second-round selection for Chicago in the 21st century.
If history repeats itself, this Chicago Bears secondary could be dangerous
In the early years of this century, the Bears built their secondary in the second round, and around 20 years later, the current roster seems to be doing the same thing. Currently, the 2023 projected starters include four second-round defensive backs, and in their short careers, every player is either living up to or surpassing the expectations of a Day 2 selection.
With Tyrique Stevenson slated to start opposite Jaylon Johnson, there is a real chance that this new-look Bears' secondary is a real problem for opposing offenses for years to come, and while it is too early to say if this is the type of unit that can lead the Bears to post-season success, the good news is that there is precedent within the organization for this group to be successful. Hopefully, Stevenson, Gordon, Brisker, and Johnson can mirror what this team accomplished in those positions nearly 20 years ago.