The Chicago Bears are ten games into the season. They are now past the first half and onto the back end. So, how have the Bears rookies looked at the halfway point of the 2023 season? Have they been better or worse than what we expected back in the spring when they were drafted?
Chicago Bears Round 1 Darnell Wright
Darnell Wright has shown everything Chicago Bears fans could want from someone who is a top-ten pick and a potential cornerstone for the future. He has had his issues and slip-ups in moments, but for a rookie, and considering the competition he has faced, you have to respect the year he put together.
In week one, he saw Rashan Gary, and while he lost a rep, he had plenty of wins. He lost to Shaq Barrett here and there in wee one as well, and while he did well against George Karlaftis, the Chiefs got the best of him with Chris Jones.
He allowed a sack to Montez Sweat but looked good as a run blocker in that game. He did similar against Danielle Hunter and then faced Maxx Crosby the week after.
The big names did not stop as he faced Cameron Jordan when the Chicago Bears played the Saints. Finally, the Panthers had a weak spot on the edges due to injury, and the Bears ran heavily on them.
Wright could use the bye after the gauntlet of pass rushers he has been through. Still, he has shown promise in both areas and should be a trusted starter.
Darnell Wright first half grade: B+
Chicago Bears Round 2 Gervon Dexter
One of the big questions with Gervon Dexter has been his playing time. In a lost season, the rookie has only played more than 40% of the snaps just five times. The team relies on a rotation, but it is clear that they do not trust Dexter against the run.
Dexter played over 40% of the snaps in three of the Bears' wins, and his best two games were against Washington and Carolina, when he had eight pressures combined. When the Bears lead, and he can get after the passer, he has shown flashes, but they trail, he shows nothing.
Dexter has 163 snaps in passing downs and 78 against the run. He is only defending the run on 32.3% of his snaps. A lot of those snaps came in the first three weeks, too. From week four and on, the Bears have played Dexter against the run 22.8% of the time.
The flashes in pass rush are fine but need to come more often. The run defense is obviously an issue. With Justin Jones being a free agent and likely gone, will the Bears play Dexter more in an effort to see him develop? Or, is Matt Eberflus coaching for his job, hindering the growth of Gervon Dexter in the process?
Gervon Dexter Grade: C-
Chicago Bears Round 2 Tyrique Stevenson
The good news about Tyrique Stevenson is that he has started every game for the team. He has left a couple of games with injuries and has shown up on the practice report, but he has been reliable.
There are some things to clean up in his game, though. Like any rookie cornerback, he is going to be tested often. Mike Evans gave him a proper introduction to the NFL, as he gave up over 100 yards in the loss.
In week five, Washington targeted him often, and he lost a few reps to Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin. The following week, Jordan Addison beat him for a touchdown. The Raiders went after him relentlessly. He lost to Davanate Adams early but bounced back. Still, Jakobi Meyers beat him as well.
He gave up a touchdown to Taysom Hill, and a few catches to Chris Olave, but he has calmed down in recent weeks. Still, it is clear that teams will throw at him in an effort to avoid Jaylon Johnson.
He has been feisty and attacks the ball, but at the same time, he is taking his lumps.
Tyrique Stevenson Grade: C-
Chicago Bears Round 3 Zacch Pickens
Zacch Pickens is looking more and more disappointing. He has only gone over 30% of the snap share in two games, and one of them was week two. Against the New Orleans Saints, he played just 17.5% of the snaps and against the Carolina Panthers, he was at 20%. They are two of the four lowest snap totals of his career.
Pickens does have two pressures in the past two weeks, but the Bears are not showing an effort to work him in more.
Zacch Pickens grade: D+
Chicago Bears Round 4 Rochson Johnson
Roschon Johnson has typically been used as a third-down, passing down back. Johnson has 27 pass blocking snaps, whole Khalil Herbert has 16 and D’onta Foreman has 17 Foreman has allowed more pressures on ten fewer snaps than Johnson.
Johnson has been fine but not overly dynamic as a runner. He missed weeks six and seven with a concussion and has been eased back in over recent weeks. Still, with Foreman running strong and Herbert coming back from an injury, he will not get extended work as the year goes on.
Roschon Johnson Grade: C
Chicago Bears Round 4 Tyler Scott
Tyler Scott has started to get going in recent weeks, but a lot of that is injury-related. Scott was playing under 20% of the snaps in the first five weeks of the season. Then, Chase Claypool got traded, and Equanimeous St. Brown got hurt. The team had to move onto Tyler Scott, who had his role increased.
Scott played 59%, 56%, 57%, and 59% of the snaps in the four weeks that St. Brown was out. However, once St. Brown came back, he went down to 39%, and that may decrease after St. Brown is involved even more.
Still, Scott also had his highest yards per route run in week 10, with 1.15. Since week six, he is averaging 0.77 yards per route run. Before that, he was down at 0.49. He also has four rushes for 25 yards insince week six. What will his role be with St. Brown returning, though?
Tyler Scott Grade: C+
Chicago Bears Round 5 Noah Sewell
Noah Sewell has played 25 defensive snaps. To be fair, 12 have come in the past three weeks, but the Bears also essentially eliminated the SAM Role because of the Tremaine Edmunds injury because Jack Sanborn was much more trusted in that role.
Sewell does have 212 special teams snaps.
Noah Sewell grade: C+
Chicago Bears Round 5 Terell Smith
Jaylon Johnson got injured in week three and missed weeks four and five. That allowed Terell Smith to play 163 snaps. He played well and was not overly targeted, which is great. He also had a few great tackle reps.
It was interesting timing, but Smith got sick once Jaylon Johnson returned. So, he was going to move to the bench but instead moved to the IR. He has not returned since week five.
Terell Smith Grade: B-
Chicago Bears Round 7 Travis Bell
Travis Bell was signed to the Atlanta Falcons roster due to injuries.
Travis Bell Grade: F
Chicago Bears Round 7 Kendall Williamson
Kendall Williams is at least still on the practice squad, so while losing Bell gets them an F, Williamson gets an incomplete.
Kendall Williamson Grade: I