Chicago Bears 2020 NFL Draft grades: Cole Kmet fills a big need
Best pick: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Johnson could have been a top-25 pick so to get him in the second round when the Bears didn’t have a first round pick to use, this feels like a first-round pick, even though it’s not. That said, Johnson is going to start opposite Kyle Fuller and give the Bears some much-needed youth at the position. Johnson is a true junior who started since his freshman year and is still just 21 years old.
Worst pick: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
This not about Kmet, but more so about the decision not to trade down to acquire more picks. The Bears needed the quantity of picks to try and add some cheap talent to the roster that has holes that weren’t or can’t be filled in free agency. The Bears may have been able to take Kmet with their No. 50 pick or they might have been able to use No. 43 on a safety.
The Bears tight ends were collectively the worst group in the NFL last year. Trey Burton was a massive disappointment and was released. Adam Shaheen is an even bigger bust but remains on the roster for now. Signing the veteran Graham in free agency was interesting because of the price and his production in recent years, but getting Kmet to complement Graham will be vital for Nick Foles who should love the red zone and big-body presence Kmet brings to an offense that desperately missed it.