Ryan Poles Delivers Another Exciting Curveball In 5th Round

After the Chicago Bears made their top three picks on the offensive side of the ball, it has become apparent that GM Ryan Poles is now determined to help the defense as things progress. It started with defensive tackle Shemar Turner late in the 2nd round. Then, in the 4th, they added speedy linebacker Ruben Hyppolite. Now he's taken another calculated swing on traits in the 5th. This time, it's UTSA cornerback Zah Frazier, a 6'3 kid with 4.36 speed who finished last season with six interceptions. Dennis Allen loves long, athletic ballhawks. Frazier fits the bill perfectly.

UTSA also has a growing reputation for developing cornerbacks. Tariq Woolen came from there not too long ago and has become an excellent player. Frazier has a similar ability. He was a star on the JUCO circuit with 13 pass breakups and three interceptions in 2020 and 2021. It isn't clear why he didn't get much playing time in 2022 or 2023, but he made the most of his 2024 season as a starter. Watch his games against East Carolina and North Texas. Wide receivers had no answer for him.

Ryan Poles likely acquiesced to Allen with this pick.

The Bears GM has never been shy about adding cornerbacks. He does it every year, considering it a premium position. In this case, Allen has a specific type of player he wants at the position. The defensive coordinator runs a system dependent on man coverage, allowing him to be more aggressive at the line of scrimmage. Look to his Saints defenses in the late 2010s with Marshon Lattimore and others. Frazier is that type of athlete, and he'll have a superb coach guiding the way with Al Harris. Ryan Poles is trusting his coaching staff with this one, and understandably so. He will compete with Terrel Smith for a primary backup spot and go from there.