The Chicago Bears made their intentions pretty clear with Day 3 of the NFL draft. They were focused on two things. Good athletes with upside and special teams help. Ironically, they got both with their final two picks of the draft in the 7th round. The first was California safety Elijah Hicks. While somewhat undersized, he earned a reputation in college as a physical player with good instincts and blossoming ball skills. He had three interceptions and four forced fumbles in his final season.
Then in a perfect bow, Poles used his last pick to select N.C. State punter Trenton Gill. Remember that Chicago let longtime punter Pat O’Donnell go in free agency. He signed with the Green Bay Packers, so the team needed another option at that position. Gill improved his hang time in 2021, averaging 45.1 yards per punt, and demonstrated much better touch after a rough 2020. He has more room to grow too.
In the 7th round with the 254th overall pick, the #Bears select Elijah Hicks FS Cal
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 30, 2022
Punter alert!
In the 7th round with the 255th overall pick, the #Bears select NC State punter Trenton Gill.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 30, 2022
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Cal DB Elijah Hicks using "Pressure Key, Visual Key"
Pressure key here is 1.. Visual key is the back.. You can get hands on 1 and carry while reading through him to your visual key.. Great job here. pic.twitter.com/o6xTnJZUwB
— Frontline Sports Media (@FrontLineSM_) June 30, 2020
1st try- Moon Ball Challenge @thayerthomas1 pic.twitter.com/5cjXHnus1M
— Trenton Gill (@gill_trenton) March 11, 2021
All in all, the Bears accomplished several objectives with this draft.
Poles acquired five extra picks via trade downs, allowing him to secure loads of young talent on cheap contracts. He added two defensive backs in the 2nd round that should be able to start immediately, a dynamic receiver with loads of versatility, and four young, athletic offensive linemen to develop. They even squeezed an exciting pass rusher into the mix as well. Hicks is somebody that fits the new Chicago Bears defense well. Matt Eberflus loves athletic ballhawks.
As for Gill, it is likely the team wanted to secure him now rather than risk him going somewhere else as an undrafted free agent. It’s a common tactic teams use at the end of a draft. With their work concluded, the mad dash by scouts and the front office to bring in undrafted rookies has begun. That should make for more excitement to come.
