2021 NFL Draft: Bears take NT Khyiris Tonga in the seventh round

The 6-2, 325-pound Tonga, who had 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss in his career at BYU, could provide rotational depth on the defensive line behind returning starter Eddie Goldman.

By Mark Potash

BYU nose tackle Khyiris Tonga (95) had 12 passes defensed in his college career, including five last season.

The Bears selected Brigham Young nose tackle Khyiris Tonga in the seventh round (250th overall) of the NFL Draft.

The 6-2, 325-pound Tonga was a three-year starter for BYU, with 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss. He was a team captain last season, when he had 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and five passes defensed.

The Bears expect starting nose tackle Eddie Goldman to return in 2021 after opting out last season because of concerns about the coronavirus, but are looking to replenish their depth after losing Roy Robertson-Harris and Brent Urban in free agency. With Bilal Nichols, who started at nose tackle in place of Goldman last season, moving back to end, Tonga figures to be a candidate to add interior depth on the defensive line.

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