Chicago Bears NFL Draft: Jordan Wyatt reminiscent of Eddie Jackson

Draft Profile

While evaluating Jordan Wyatt, and speaking with him about his path to the NFL Draft, his story is reminiscent of a current Chicago Bear who recently went through the same process. Of course, I’m talking about Eddie Jackson.

You may recall Jackson was an incredibly productive playmaker at the University of Alabama before suffering a fractured leg early in his senior season. As a result, he fell to the fourth round where Pace scooped him up. The rest, as they say, is history.

Similarly, Wyatt was a dynamic playmaker in college who, because of injuries, is likely to be underrated in the Draft, and could fall right into the Bears’ lap. And it would be a gift if he did. The versatile ballhawk finished his time at SMU with 10 interceptions (5 of which were returned for touchdowns) and 8 forced fumbles.

Although not invited to the NFL Combine, Wyatt had an outstanding Pro Day, turning in numbers that would have had him among the leaders in the defensive backs category. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash and turned in a 4.13, 20-yard shuttle and a 6.68 L-drill. Those final two times would have been good for 13th and 3rd respectively among defensive backs. When we sat down recently, Wyatt mentioned he had strained his hamstring during the last 15 yards of his 40-yard dash, so these numbers are even more impressive considering he posted them with a strained hamstring.

His Pro Day results didn’t just demonstrate his outstanding agility and explosiveness but also confirmed he is completely healed from the torn ACL that he suffered towards the end of the 2017 season.

Wyatt also has the versatility to play all over the defensive backfield including on the boundaries, in the slot and even the safety position. For a general manager like Pace who values that kind of versatility, he has got to be intrigued by what Wyatt brings to the field.

He’s also a player with incredible character and work ethic. He was so respected by his teammates and coaches, that he was selected to wear No. 23 last season in honor of former SMU standout Jerry LeVias. Each season, one player is selected to wear the number of LeVias, the first African-American to receive a scholarship in the Southwestern Conference. The player selected must embody the values and character of SMU football.

We talked about that and much more when we sat down recently.