Ex-Bears Scout Thinks Ryan Poles Pulled Off 3 Robberies In The Draft

One of the biggest tricks of the NFL draft is finding valuable players at favorable prices. Landing a good player in the 1st round is fine, but the best teams tend to find them in later rounds. When he took over the Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles demonstrated some of this ability last year. Nabbing Braxton Jones in the 5th round was a big bonus for the team. He also got special teams contributors in the 7th round with Trenton Gill and Elijah Hicks. It was hoped the young GM could build on that early success going into his second draft.

He'd have some good opportunities to do so. Thanks to some crafty trades, the Bears ended up with two 4th and two 5th round picks. That offered Poles a great opportunity to land some quality talent that might've slipped through the cracks. Former team scout Greg Gabriel watched loads of tape on every prospect Chicago added. He came to a quick realization. Poles probably had the best third day of any GM in the entire NFL.

Three of those four picks weren't just good but outright thefts.

"In my opinion, both fourth-round draft picks were steals. Running back Roschon Johnson was the first fourth-rounder selected by the Bears, and I felt he was clearly a second-round talent. Yes, Johnson was a backup RB at Texas, but the player he played behind was Bijan Robinson, who was perhaps the best running back in a Draft since Saquon Barkley was selected six years ago. Had Robinson not been at Texas, Johnson would have easily been a 1,500-yard rusher and probably a second-round pick. There isn’t a weakness in his game.

The second fourth-round pick was wide receiver Tyler Scott who, on the hoof, looks like a clone of Darnell Mooney. They are almost the exact same size and speed, but in watching tape, Scott is a better “home run” threat than Mooney was coming out. At Cincinnati, he was a big play waiting to happen. He further strengthens an already much-improved wide receiver room.

Fifth-round pick Terrell Smith, the corner from Minnesota, was also a steal. I first watched tape on Smith back in early October, and his play was so good that as a member of the East-West Shrine Bowl Advisory Bowl, I highly recommended Smith to be invited to the game. During the week of practice before the game, Smith was clearly the best corner on the field as he jumped out every day in practice. The addition of Smith and second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson give the Bears awesome depth at the corner position."

Rave reviews for Ryan Poles' work aren't exclusive to Gabriel.

Several draft experts have praised the Bears for their work on Day 3. Noah Sewell, the other 5th round pick, also has his share of fans. If what they say is true, it is a safe bet that at least two of those four players will become quality contributors. Johnson feels like the safest bet. Running backs tend to find success earlier than most other positions. He has a well-rounded skill set and has certain qualities Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman lack. That is why the Texas product likely sees the field first.

Scott and Smith will have to do a little more to earn opportunities. Ryan Poles pieced together a solid top trio at wide receiver with Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and D.J. Moore. Scott must battle Dante Pettis, Velus Jones, and Equanimeous St. Brown for playing time. As a 2nd round pick, Tyrique Stevenson figures to get the nod for starting at cornerback alongside Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Smith must surpass Kindle Vildor and Jaylon Jones to get more looks.

This is exactly how Poles wants it—talented players in roster-wide competitions. The cream rises to the top.