The 2021 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday as teams added depth to their rosters in rounds 4-7. The Chicago Bears -- after selecting Justin Fields and Teven Jenkins on the first two days -- added five more talented players on the final day.
Chicago made seven total picks in the draft -- Fields, Jenkins, Larry Borom, Khalil Herbert, Dazz Newsome, Thomas Graham Jr. and Khyiris Tonga. Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy added weapons at wide receiver, running back and offensive line for Fields. Five of their seven selections were offensive players.
Here's the latest draft news and information about each of the Bears' selections:
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Bears select Khyiris Tonga with final pick at No. 250
The Bears concluded the 2021 NFL Draft by selecting BYU defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga at No. 250 overall.
At 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, Tonga is a nose tackle who was often double-teamed at BYU. In 47 career games for the Cougars, Tonga totaled 130 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss.
Tonga will add depth to a Bears defensive line led by Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols and Brent Urban.
NFL
Bears snag CB Thomas Graham Jr. at No. 228
The Bears selected Oregon defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. with the No. 288 pick in the seventh round.
Graham Jr. was a three-year starter in Eugene who opted out of the 2020 season. He had 182 total tackles (143 solo), eight interceptions and one touchdown during his Ducks career.
While he isn't the fastest corner, Graham Jr. possesses the tools to produce in a zone scheme and can also contribute on special teams.
Bears draft UNC speedster Dazz Newsome with No. 221 pick
The Bears took a flier on a dynamic slot receiver in North Carolina's Dazz Newsome with the No. 221 pick in the sixth round.
Newsome had 188 catches for 2,435 yards and 18 touchdowns in his last four seasons in Chapel Hill.
He's a solid route-runner who demonstrates excellent separation, quickness and outstanding ball skills.
Newsome also brings value on special teams as a proven punt returner.
Bears grab RB Khalil Herbert at No. 217
The Bears added another back to their crowded backfield by selecting Virginia Tech's Khalil Herbert with the No. 217 pick in the sixth round.
Herbert began his college career at Kansas, playing 35 games and rushing for 1,735 yards over his three-year career with the Jayhawks.
The 5-foot-9, 210-pound back transferred to Blacksberg in 2020 and became the first Hokie since 2015 to rush for over 100 yards (1,204).
Herbert has the ability to excel inside the tackles but also the speed and change of direction to produce as an outside zone runner. He joins David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen and Damien Williams in the RB room.
Bears add OL Larry Borom at No. 151
The Bears continued to add more power in the trenches, drafting Missouri offensive tackle Larry Borom with the No. 151 pick in the fifth round.
The 6-foot-6, 322-pound lineman was a two-year starter for the Tigers, helping lead them to their first College Football Playoff ranking since 2018. Borom projects as a guard in the NFL will add depth to the Bears' offensive line.
Bears trade up to No. 39, select Teven Jenkins
For the second time in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bears traded up, this time to the No. 39 pick to select Oklahoma State offensive tackle Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins should provide some much-needed protection for Justin Fields as Chicago prepares to build around their future franchise quarterback.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman was a projected first-round pick who fell to the second round. His big frame, high tenacity and work ethic should make him a stalwart on Chicago's offensive line for years to come
Bears select Justin Fields after trading up to No. 11
The Bears made a huge splash in the first round by trading up for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. In the deal with the Giants, the Bears gave up the the No. 20 overall pick, a 2022 first-round pick, 2022 fourth-round pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick.
Fields starred at Ohio State for the Buckeyes after transferring from Georgia in 2019. In 22 career starts for Ohio State, Fields threw for 63 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He joins a Bears team fresh off a Wild Card appearance in 2020, where they lost to the Saints.
This is the highest the Bears have taken a quarterback since selecting Mitchell Trubisky second overall back in 2017. Fields will compete with newly-signed quarterback Andy Dalton for the starting role on Matt Nagy's squad. Nick Foles is also on Chicago's roster at quarterback.
With the No. 20 overall pick they received from the Bears, the Giants selected Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
Packers go defense with No. 29 overall pick
Rumors of Aaron Rodgers' unhappiness didn't sway the Packers in the first round, as the team selected Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes with the 29th overall pick. This marks the fifth time in the last six years that the Packers selected a defensive player with their first draft pick. In three seasons (31 games) for the Bulldogs, Stokes totaled 78 tackles, four interceptions and 22 passes defended.
Vikings trade down from No. 14 overall pick
While the Bears traded up, the division-rival Minnesota Vikings decided to move down in the first round. The Vikings dealt the Nos. 14 and 143 overall picks to the New York Jets in exchange for Nos. 23, 66 and 86 overall. With the 14th pick, the Jets selected USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.
With the 23rd overall pick, the Vikings selected Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw. Darrisaw is a protected left tackle at the pro level. He started every game for the Hokies in 2019 and 2020 and was named First-team All-ACC in 2020.
49ers draft Trey Lance with No. 3 overall pick
After weeks of speculation about which signal caller the 49ers would target, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch selected North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Lance only played one game in 2020, as North Dakota State postponed the rest of its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, Lance threw for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions. He also rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 scores, leading the Bison to their third consecutive FCS championship.
With Lance off the board, the Bears could turn their attention to Justin Fields or Mac Jones, who are the best QBs available.
Report: Aaron Rodgers unhappy with Packers
Aaron Rodgers reportedly informed the Green Bay Packers that he does not want to return to the team. The Packers have been monitoring the situation and had head coach Matt LaFleur, president Mark Murphy and general manager Brian Gutekunst meet with Rodgers at various points during this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers reportedly contacted the Packers on Wednesday about a potential trade for Rodgers but were quickly turned down.
Rodgers has been at the center of trade rumors since the Packers selected Jordan Love with the No. 26 pick in the 2020 draft. ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reported in January that Rodgers wanted a new contract in the ballpark of Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson's deals.
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