The Chicago Bears have been known for their efforts on the defensive side of the ball for generations and new head coach Ben Johnson and Bears GM Ryan Poles added another intriguing piece to the defense with their fifth-round pick on Saturday.
With the No. 169 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago elected to take former University of Texas-San Antonio standout defensive back Zah Frazier. Frazier, a former basketball player, has great combination of size and speed as he stands 6'3" and recorded the fifth-fastest 40-yard-dash among cornerback prospects at the NFL Draft Combine by running a 4.36.
Frazier won't challenge for a starting job as a rookie but he could very well shake things up on the depth chart behind Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson. One player in particular could be feeling the heat a bit more than others once training camp opens later this year.
Bears Just Put Veteran DB Terell Smith on Notice With Zah Frazier Pick
Smith, a fifth-round pick by Chicago in the 2023 NFL Draft, is still under contract on his rookie deal through the 2026 season but the addition of Frazier to the fold in the defensive backfield should be a clear signal that the time to perform is now.
In 14 appearances during the 2024 campaign, which included a pair of starts, Smith recorded just 14 tackles but did reel in one interception. When you consider the fact that Frazier finished the 2024 season at UTSA with six interceptions, which ranked second-best among all FBS players, the former University of Minnesota standout's position in the rotation moving forward is anything but certain.
Frazier's size and speed made him worth the gamble for Chicago in the fifth-round and, if he finds a way to put it all together now that football will be his sole focus, he could turn into a key piece of the puzzle on defense for the Bears.