Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft: Ryan Pace worked magic in late rounds

Chicago Bears (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears, Dazz Newsome
Chicago Bears (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
6

Dazz Newsome

WR | North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels Logo

This was one of the better late-round picks of the entire draft. North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome was ranked in the top 100 prospects by several experts out there, yet fell all the way into the hands of the Bears at pick 221.

Newsome’s arrival means Anthony Miller is going to have some competition for his job in the slot, should the Bears decide to keep him around. Newsome is a fun player to watch for many reasons.

This kid has incredible footwork that will allow him to get open with ease in the slot. He’s got those choppy, quick-working feet that pop off the screen on tape. He’s more quick than fast, having run a 4.57 in his 40. But, his play speed is far more impressive than his straight-line speed.

The Bears needed a wide receiver badly, and many figured they’d take one here in the sixth. Thankfully, Newsome was still available. Somehow, some way, he was still on the board.

Over the past two seasons, Newsome ranked in the top 15 in broken tackles by a wide receiver — and he wasn’t even technically the no. 1 guy in North Carolina. That was Dyami Brown. But, Newsome seemed to make a play every time he got the football. He fights for extra yardage and is incredibly difficult to bring down.

Quite frankly, Ryan Pace came away with a third or fourth round talent in the sixth round. This could end up being one of his best picks over his time in Chicago. The value here was tremendous.