A win over the Kansas City Chiefs has improved the preseason record to 2-2 for the Chicago Bears. They arguably played their best game yet, taking a commanding 24-10 lead into halftime against most of the Kansas City starters with their own backups. A big reason for that wasn’t hard to see. That was the 2018 Bears draft class.
It’s one thing to declare the Bears had a good draft back in May. All people had to go by back then were assurances from the experts and college highlights. Things change fast when playing actual NFL games, even if they are the preseason. Suffice to say this group of young men did not shrink in the slightest at the challenge.
Through four games, the tape and production both tell the same story. Almost every player drafted a few months ago has made a meaningful contribution to these games. Just look at the stats to this points, keeping in mind they didn’t play in full games but quarters or halves at most.
- Anthony Miller (2nd round): 4 catches, 32 yards
- Joel Iyiegbuniwe (4th round): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
- Bilal Nichols (5th round): 9 tackles, 2 sacks
- Kylie Fitts (6th round): 8 tackles, 2 sacks
- Javon Wims (7th round): 15 catches, 227 yards, 1 TD
2018 Bears draft class may contribute immediately to team success
Anthony Miller has looked terrific in training camp and is already established as a starter. Bilal Nichols already figures heavily into the defensive line rotation while Kylie Fitts should get snaps as a situational pass rusher. Javon Wims is the biggest story of all. He went from basketball failure in high school to JUCO college standout to one-year wonder at Georgia to seventh round flier for the Bears. Now he might be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
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This is even before mentioning the first two picks of the class, mind you. Second rounder James Daniels has blocked extremely well throughout the preseason at both center and left guard. As for Roquan Smith, the most talented player in the entire group? He hasn’t even played a down yet. Just how much better could this get for the Bears?
They’re certainly anxious to find out. One preseason game remains before the anticipated showdown with the Packers in Green Bay on opening night. Head coach Matt Nagy wants all his troops healthy and figures to give his young draft class plenty of work when the time comes. If the upward trend continues as it’s begun, this could be one of the best drafts the franchise has had in years.
