Intriguing Picks: Bears Cornerback Isaiah Frey Has Chance to Make Impact
Looking through the Bears’ draft class, I have to say I’m really impressed overall but one pick that could pay some dividends sooner than expected is Nevada cornerback Isaiah Frey. The Bears picked Frey in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and I think he was a really underrated pick in a somewhat underwhelming cornerback situation.
Frey played 51 career games for the Wolfpack and was an All-WAC performer the last two seasons. He led Nevada with five interceptions this past season, and paced the 28th best pass efficiency defense in all of college football.
His technique and footwork are very raw, but Frey has exceptional closing speed, ball skills, and ability to capitalize on the Bears’ defensive style. A guy who was that impactful for such a long time in college with physical tools like Frey has won’t stay on the sideline long in the NFL. He has so much ability, but he is definitely raw. The Bears’ cornerback situation is nothing if not unsettled. They are currently starting Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman at the cornerback positions, and while Tillman appears to be entrenched as the veteran starter, and Jennings has spent six years in the league and finished last season with 77 tackles and two interceptions.
Frey, who led college football last year with 21 passes defensed, will have to out-perform Jennings as well as 2009 fourth round pick D.J. Moore, another player that I had high expectations for back when he entered the league. Moore has eight interceptions over the last two seasons and may be in line to take over the starting job before Frey, but he could certainly contribute as a nickel or dime cornerback right away.
Overall, I really like his skill set and the kind of production he had in college tends to go unnoticed because he didn’t play in a big time conference. I think he has some serious potential and could be a nice later round find for the Bears, a guy who will make an impact on special teams and in nickel/dime situations right away.