Ex-Player Warns Tyrique Stevenson To Chicago Was Bad For The NFL

Ryan Poles had never traded up in the draft through the first seven rounds as GM of the Chicago Bears. That streak finally came to an end last month when he moved up five spots from 61st overall to 56th. His target was a surprising one, selecting Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. That was a surprise to some experts. While there was no denying his athletic ability and spurts of excellent play, he also had some ugly tape whenever asked to play in zone coverage. It felt like a reach.

One former player begs to differ. Matt Bowen of ESPN holds the opposite view. Not only does he think Stevenson has plenty of positive qualities, but he also doesn't think he could have landed in a better situation than Chicago.

Why he is a perfect fit: It's the play demeanor and the coverage fit in Matt Eberflus' defense that have me excited about this match. Stevenson shows the physical coverage skills to match up with boundary X receivers in the Bears' nickel sets, which would allow Kyler Gordon to stay inside at the slot position. Plus, Stevenson can reroute in Cover 2, jamming and sinking. And he will hit in the run game, too. He had 68 tackles and three interceptions over the past two years.

Chicago is building a secondary with urgent and aggressive defensive backs, and Stevenson fits that profile.

Bowen is a fan of the Bears' 2023 draft class in general, but Stevenson was his favorite pick. That isn't a surprise since the man is a former defensive back himself. If what he says is true, then Chicago may have one of the better secondaries in the league this season.

Tyrique Stevenson hopes to alter a rough legacy.

Miami used to be a school that regularly produced quality cornerbacks in the NFL. However, over the past two decades, they've had multiple disappointments at the position. The last player to reach a high level was Duane Starks, who was drafted way back in 1998. No corner drafted from the program since 2000 has managed to start more than five seasons in the league. Stevenson hopes to be the one that breaks that streak. It sounds like he'll be in an ideal setup to do so.

He couldn't ask for a better coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams is a defensive backs specialist with years of experience. Cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke is a grizzled NFL veteran who developed multiple Pro Bowlers. If Tyrique Stevenson takes their instructions, he has a chance to become an outstanding player in this league. He has all the makings of a star. The Bears can seriously use such a development with the array of good receivers they have to face in this division.