The NFL draft can always be a wild weekend as jobs are created and lost in an instant. Some players were on the bubble of starting or unsure of their status and turned out to be winners of the weekend.
Braxton Jones
Jones re-signed after a rocky fourth season that featured too many injuries. Still, early in his career he was a capable starter at tackle. The team needs someone to fill in for Ozzy Trapilo, who is unlikely to play this year. This led to speculation that the team would draft a tackle high. By not taking a tackle at all, it gives Jones the inside track to start week 1.
Khaliff Raymond
The Bears lost D.J. Moore and Olamide Zaccheus. So, while Luther Burden will replace what Moore took with him, they still need contributions from their depth receivers. Raymond was signed because Ben Johnson trusts him, so he always had a good path to the roster. However, unless Zavion Thomas is better than everyone realizes, this may have been a good draw for Raymond as Thomas will struggle to push him from the third receiver spot.
Kyle Monangai
This could be both Monangai and D’Andre Swift. Swift has one year left on his deal, and Monangai was a late pick with limited work. The team could have easily drafted a running back higher than Monangai went last year, and he would take the lead when Swift leaves. However, they are running it back with their two running backs. Another winner is Roschon Johnson, who may make the roster again due to limited competition.
Austin Booker
The Bears were heavily rumored to take a pass rusher high, or even at all, in the NFL draft. This likely would have said more about Dayo Odeyingbo than Booker, but Booker would have been stuck in his rotational role or even pushed out if Odeyingbo were healthy and productive. Now, Booker is likely to finish second amongst edge rushers in snaps, and at the very worst, he is going to be a third-down rusher.
Gervon Dexter
There were rumors all offseason that Gervon Dexter was going to be traded. Then, the rumors spread that Chicago would draft a defensive tackle to groom behind Dexter for when he left next year. The Bears took Jordan van den Berg, but not until round 6. He is not going to push Dexter. They have depth here, but one player is clearly going to lead the team in snaps, and that player is Dexter.
The Bears added talent this weekend, but they also made it easier to see where returning players stand. For a young roster, that kind of clarity matters once things get real.
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