Through the first two days of the NFL draft, it felt like the Chicago Bears had a clear and sound approach. Their first two picks were highly athletic pass-catchers to help Caleb Williams. Colston Loveland would add explosiveness at tight end while Luther Burden brought more YAC ability to the wide receiver group. Next came Ozzy Trapilo, a giant, polished offensive tackle. Last but not least was Shemar Turner, a strong and violent defensive lineman. Each of those picks fit an area of need for the team without reaching. It wasn’t crazy to expect GM Ryan Poles to do more of the same on the final day.
Then things got weird. Over the next two rounds, the Bears added two players many fans didn’t see coming. First was Ruben Hyppolite, a linebacker from Maryland who many experts saw as a likely undrafted free agent. A round later, they added Zah Frazier, a 24-year-old cornerback from UTSA with only one year of starting experience. People couldn’t understand Poles’ thinking with those picks. He provided an answer after the final round ended. It was simple.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wanted more speed.
Ryan Poles’ job is to provide players his coaches want.
Yes, the GM needs to find good players, but they must also be able to mesh with a coach’s vision. Allen’s defenses in New Orleans were predicated on speed, particularly in the back seven. Cornerbacks need to be able to play man, and linebackers must handle dropping into coverage. Speed is required in both instances. Hyppolite ran a 4.42 at his pro day, which would’ve been the fastest at the combine. Frazier had a 4.36. That is pretty crazy considering he’s 6’3. There is no telling if those two will amount to anything in the NFL. However, Ryan Poles felt each had the necessary traits Allen wanted. After spending most of the first two days adding to the offense, he likely went into the third knowing he had to get the defense some help, too.
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