Skoronski Starts Run To Solid A Grade

It’s rare for reviewers to assign A grades to draft classes. But Pro Football Focus’ software provides a road map to how Bears General Manager Ryan Poles can ace his second draft.

Barring further trades, the Bears will have 10 picks after sending No. 1 overall to Carolina. Four of those come within the first 64 picks, and conventional wisdom says Poles will do as he has been hinting — use the highest picks to beef up pass protection for Justin Fields and add impact players for Matt Eberflus’ defensive line.

This is the no-brainer path for a team that had a -38 sack differential while going 3-14 in Fields’ second season. But Poles may have a trick or two up his sleeve. Who thought he would pass on wide receiver and the offensive line to take a cornerback and a safety with his first two picks a year ago?

Here’s how our recent grade-A mock draft turned out on PFF:

No. 9 — Tackle Peter Skoronski, Northwestern. This PFF mock had four quarterbacks drafted ahead of the Bears, leaving lots of choice on the line. Georgia’s Jalen Carter wasn’t one of those, however, as Detroit nabbed him with the sixth pick. Skoronski rates slightly higher than Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Georgia’s Broderick Jones although Johnson could be the pick if the Bears see Skoronski more as a guard. PFF grade for this pick: A.

No 53 — Interior lineman Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin. After watching 43 picks go by, Poles is most likely to grab the best player available on the side opposite from his first-round pick. In this mock Georgia Tech’s highly regarded edge rusher Keion White almost slipped to the Bears but was picked off by Tampa Bay at 50. The 6-4, 309-pound Benton is praised for his quickness and violent hands, helping him compile an 83.5 pass-rushing grade last season. PFF grade: A-.

No. 61 — Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell, Houston. It’s hard to imagine Poles saying no to a deep threat who compiled 2727 passing yards and 29 touchdowns the last two season. He’s badly undersized (5-8, 165) but PFF says he “moves across the field like he’s being controlled by a joystick.” Will he be the second coming of Tyreek Hill or just another Velus Jones? PFF grade: B.

No. 64 — Center Luke Wypler, Ohio State. Poles did not address this need in free agency knowing Sam Mustipher failed to grab hold of a position he took over when Cody Whitehair moved to guard. Wypler is considered a little on the small side at 6-3, 303 but started as a redshirt freshman and sophomore on a strong line, declaring for the draft early. He received 80-plus grades in both pass blocking and run blocking. PFF grade: A.

No. 103 — Cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU. Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon and Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez must tempt the Bears in the first round but the line needs are too glaring to ignore. Hodges-Tomlinson, like Dell seemingly too small to be effective (5-8, 178) is a speedy, explosive hitter who forced 21 incompletions last season and had six touchdowns over the last three seasons. He’s a playmaker, like his uncle, LaDainian Tomlinson. PFF grade: A+.

No. 133 — Running back Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State. Continuing the trend, Poles grabs another guy who is available here only because of his size (5-5, 179), which did not stop him from running for 2970 yards the last two seasons. He caught 92 passes for another 841 yards in ’21 and ’22, which suggests he’ll be useful to Fields. Tulane’s Tyjae Spears is an intriguing option if he’s available. If Spears and Vaughn are gone, Poles could go a different direction here and grab Northwestern pass-catching back Evan Hull a couple picks later (and Spears being selected at 95). PFF’s mock has Hull lasting until the 196th pick. PFF grade: B-.

No. 136 — Interior lineman Kobie Turner, Wake Forest. Size (6-3, 290) is a question but Turner dominated in the ACC after transferring from Richmond. He earned strong grades as a pass rusher and a run stopper. PFF grade: A+.

No. 148 — Safety Anthony Johnson Jr., Iowa State. He excelled after switching from corner to safety last season. He played at least 600 snaps three years in a row, showing his durability. The Bears could nab Hull here if they have not already selected a running back. PFF grade: A.

No. 218 — Quarterback Stetson Bennett, Georgia. He made doubters look foolish while throwing 64 touchdown passes in 37 games the last three years, including four in the national championship victory over TCU. Prepare to hear ESPN’s commentators debate if he’s this year’s Brock Purdy. PFF grade: A+.

No. 258 — Linebacker Troy Brown, Ole Miss. The Bears added linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards as free agents after watching the undrafted Jack Sanborn thrive last season. But the 6-1, 220-pound Brown is a run-stopper who rarely misses tackles. He put down good tape against Alabama late in the season. PFF grade: A.