Bears 2020 NFL Draft class: Meet the rookies

The Sun-Times spent the NFL’s long offseason breaking down the Bears’ draft picks — and an undrafted free agent with a famous name. As the Bears prepare to report to training camp later this month, here’s a primer about the most notable names in their 2020 draft haul:

Round 2

Pick 43: Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet

Bears coach Matt Nagy said he can tell the local product “has that ‘want,’” even from team meetings. “I can’t trick him,” Nagy said.

Pick 50: Utah CB Jaylon Johnson

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham compares Johnson favorably to safety Eric Weddle, probably the best defensive player he’s ever coached.

Round 5

Pick 155: Tulsa OLB Trevis Gipson

In five years, Gipson gained 60 pounds and went from an unknown recruit to a worthy NFL project. Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery detailed the discipline it took to make the journey.

Pick 163: Georgia Southern CB Kindle Vildor

The best game of Vildor’s college career came against his most worthy opponent: Clemson. That helped convinced Bears scouts the small-college player could make the leap to the NFL.

Pick 173: Tulane WR Darnell Mooney

One skill that could help Mooney with the Bears: he “turned a bad throw into a good catch” as a speedy threat in college, Tulane coach Willie Fritz said.

Round 7

Pick 226: Colorado OL Arlington Hambright

Hambright played for three teams in four years, but his athleticism made him a worthy bet.

Pick 227: Tennessee State OL Lachavious Simmons

The Bears like the versatility of the small-school player known as “Pig.”

Undrafted

Buffalo LB Ledarius Mack

Buffalo coach Lance Leipold said Khalil’s little brother “has not come close to reaching his ceiling yet — and he has the drive and the work ethic to achieve that.”