We all know it takes more than a single season to accurately assess the success of any draft class. Our own Josh Sunderbruch does a phenomenal job of explaining why this is and looking back at a more reasonable benchmark. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take a moment to look back and see how the early returns are looking and if any selection would have been better spent elsewhere. What better class to assess than one of the more impactful ones we have seen in Chicago for some time? In this series, I will go through each pick in each round and assign what I believe to be the best pick, worst pick and players that could have been selected instead.
Round 2 – Pick 62
Shemar Turner, DL
When Chicago spent their third 2nd round pick on the DL from Texas A&M, it was immediately debated where he would line up. Having him listed at DT despite playing plenty of snaps at DE in college, it seemed that debate was over. And I will be the first to admit that I had hopes of a Henry Melton type of impact for Turner at 3T for Dennis Allen’s defense. Granted, it took Melton a few years to become the impact player he would eventually morph into, but alas, hope springs eternal on draft day. Suffice it to say, I was a bit shocked to notice Turner get most of his playing time out at DE. Losing starter Dayo Odeyingbo certainly played a role into this decision, but the fact Turner found himself more involved on the edge was noteworthy.
While I immediately noticed, and appreciated, the fire with which the 6’3”, 290lb former Aggie played with, he failed to add any juice to the pass rush, which was a huge need for the 2025 Bears, and he only posted a mere 6 tackles with 2 TFL in 74 total snaps before tearing his ACL in week 8. I liked what I saw from the 23-year-old in limited action and was eager to see him grow in this defense. But the fact that he was our only draft pick between pick numbers 60 and 132, and there was so much other talent on the board, I did not feel like drafting a tweener DL was the best choice. Had we planned to move back into the 3rd round? Sure. And perhaps Bears’ GM Ryan Poles planned just that and was unable to land a deal worth making. All things considered, I feel like this is a pick that Poles wishes he had back, and I would agree.
Other Potential Options:
Kaleb Johnson, RB – Pittsburgh Steelers pick 83
Wyatt Milum, OL – Jacksonville Jaguars pick 89
Josaiah Stewart, EDGE – Los Angeles Rams pick 90
Jared Wilson, G/C – New England Patriots pick 95
Xavier Watts, S – Atlanta Falcons pick 96
Cam Skattebo, RB – New York Giants pick 105
Deone Walker, DT – Buffalo Bills pick 109
CJ West, DT – San Francisco 49ers pick 113
Jack Sawyer, EDGE – Pittsburgh Steelers pick 123