Chicago Bears NFL Draft 2021: 5 players to target in Round 4 trade
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears 4th Round Targets: S Tyree Gillespie, Missouri
This past week, the Bears solidified their safety starters for the 2021 season by bringing back veteran Tashaun Gipson to take the field next to Eddie Jackson. Gipson signed yet another 1-year deal as he did last year, and it continues the trend the Bears have established with short-term deals at that position.
In the fourth round, one particular player they could opt to target may end up being a long-term solution at safety. Missouri’s Tyree Gillespie is a guy the Bears could fall in love with due to his potential versatility.
The senior stands 6-feet tall and weighs in around 200 pounds, possessing great size for a defensive back. He’s a physical player who helps out around the line of scrimmage and does well attacking shorter routes in the passing game. At times, Gillespie will find himself in the back field ending plays before they even begin.
Gillespie should come in and play a role on special teams immediately, and might work his way onto the field in certain packages even if they decided to try him as a nickel. Over his past two seasons, Gillespie has totaled 11 passes defended, although no interceptions. Still, his physicality and size bring likable traits and he may wind up fitting best at strong safety.