Kyler Gordon Drafted by Bears: Chicago's Updated Depth Chart After Round 2

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVApril 29, 2022

Mindy Small/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears selected Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon with the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.

Below, we'll take a look at what their defensive depth chart looks like after the selection:

LDE: Trevis Gipson, Jeremiah Attaochu, Charles Snowden

DT: Khyiris Tonga, Angelo Blackson, Auzoyah Alufohai

DT: Justin Jones, Mario Edwards Jr., LaCale London

RDE: Robert Quinn, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Sam Kamara

OLB: Nicholas Morrow, Noah Dawkins

ILB: Roquan Smith, Joe Thomas

OLB: Caleb Johnson, Ledarius Mack

CB: Jaylon Johnson, Thomas Graham Jr., Michael Joseph

CB: Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor, Lamar Jackson, BoPete Keyes

FS: Eddie Jackson

SS: DeAndre Houston-Carson, Dane Cruikshank

While Jaylon Johnson had a solid season for the Bears in 2021, the rest of the position group was a bit of a mess. Kindle Vildor began the year as the starter but was ultimately benched. He was replaced by Artie Burns, who was up-and-down and wasn't re-signed by the Bears this offseason.

Thomas Graham Jr. showed flashes of potential last year after being elevated from the practice squad, and he could push for the starting gig. After that, the pickings are slim.

Courtney Cronin @CourtneyRCronin
Bears allowed 31 passing TDs in 2021, tied for 2nd most allowed in franchise history (31 in 2015, 34 in 2014). Per NFL Next Gen Stats, a cornerback was the nearest defender on 27 of the Bears 31 passing TDs allowed, most in the NFL.<br><br>Suffice to say this pick fills a big need.

Courtney Cronin @CourtneyRCronin
Colts defense was predicated off turnovers. It's a point of emphasis as Matt Eberflus installs his defense in Chicago, something the Bears need work on. Chicago had a -13 differential in takeaways in 2021 (3rd worst). Indy was +14, tied with Dallas for the most in the NFL.

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Tom Fornelli @TomFornelli
If you’re confused why the Bears went with a corner instead of OL or WR, did you see the team’s depth chart at corner when Jaylon Johnson wasn’t at camp this spring?

So while Bears fans might have preferred the team address a lack of playmakers for young quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback was an enormous need.

As for Gordon, NFL Network's Lance Zierlein compared him to Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, noting that he "lacks polish and needs to play with better route recognition and anticipation, but if those elements click, his ball production could be near the top of the league as one of the top playmakers in the game."

B/R's Scouting Department also compared him to Jones, adding that he "does his best when he's able to see the routes develop in front of him and can see the quarterback throw the ball. With adequate speed, he sometimes struggles when matched against faster receiving threats."

Gordon isn't a lock to be a quality starter, or to even win the starting job this season, but second-rounders aren't guarantees. But he fills a huge need for the rebuilding Bears at a premium position. It's hard to argue with that process.