Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft: Ryan Pace worked magic in late rounds
By Ryan Heckman
BYU. player. Pick Analysis. Khyiris Tonga. 7. 861. Scouting Report. DT
With their last pick in the draft, a pick they received in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, the Bears take a big man at a big position of need. Going into the draft, they did not have a true backup nose tackle. Now, they do. Playing behind Eddie Goldman for the immediate future will be BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga.
Tonga was a nice late-round find that we’ve actually mocked to the Bears previously. As a pro, he will be an excellent backup at the very least. That’s his floor. As long as he’s behind Goldman, that’s where he’ll stay. But, Tonga should see the field ever so often to spell Goldman — and it’ll probably be on early downs.
The Bears got a huge, wide frame in Tonga. He naturally eats up space, therefore he’s looked at as a strong run stuffing defensive tackle. Tonga won’t provide much in terms of pass rush, but that’s not why the Bears drafted him.
Once again, this pick was about value and need. Both came into play. Pace knew he needed a guy to back up Goldman, and he got him. Tonga will make this football team, and he’ll make an impact. As a seventh rounder, that’s more than a team can ask for.
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Looking at past seventh-round picks by Pace, not many of them have even made the team or made an impact. Pace nailed his last pick of the draft with Tonga.