The Chicago Bears 2020 draft class arrived with minimal expectations. How can anybody think otherwise? Here’s a group that doesn’t include a 1st round pick for starters. Just a pair of 2nd rounders followed by a trio of 5th rounders and two 7th rounders. Then there was the COVID-19 arrival which stripped away any hopes of a normal offseason.
Minicamps? Gone.
OTAs? Those too.
Preseason? Canceled.
Nobody would have a right to feel disappointed if these kids didn’t manage to make a notable impact this year. Instead, it’s been the complete opposite. Three notable names from this 2020 class have not only made some plays, they’ve looked more and more like core guys who will feature heavily in the weeks to come.
Darnell Mooney goin’ UP!
#DaBears pic.twitter.com/r25RWwOjTB
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) September 20, 2020
One of the most exciting players turning heads thus far is Darnell Mooney. For the second-straight week, he made some nice catches for big gains including a huge 20-yard touchdown grab to end the second half. A play that actually turned out to be the game-winner. His speed is what gets him noticed, but his route running and aggressive mentality make him a threat.
Tight end Cole Kmet also made his presence felt on that same drive, making a nice 12-yard grab for a 1st down. The kid hasn’t gotten a lot of chances because teammates Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris are ahead of him. Still, he’s flashed that pass-catching skill and shown promise as a blocker too.
First @NFL catch for hometown kid, @ColeKmet!
: CBS#NYGvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/f9tQ7mhYsr
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 20, 2020
The star of the show by far though is Jaylon Johnson. Draft experts felt the Bears got a steal in the 2nd round with the Utah cornerback. They were absolutely right. Through two games, the rookie already has four pass deflections. One led to a game-changing interception and the other preserved the win over Detroit. He’s just so tough and sticky in coverage.
Jaylon Johnson with his variation of the Peanut Punch. #Bears. @peanuttillman pic.twitter.com/mUby0fJE1P
— Bears Barroom (@BearsBarroom) September 20, 2020
For these kids to be playing this well already is a testament to the job they’ve done preparing for the season as well as the coaches getting them ready. It also offers an encouraging reminder that Ryan Pace, in spite of his questionable decisions of the past, can be pretty good at his job.
