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Chicago Bears: Big corner emerges on their draft radar

By Erik Lambert

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Marquez Callaway #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers drops a pass with Tyrell Ajian #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats and Lonnie Johnson Jr. #6 of the Kentucky Wildcats defending during the first half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Marquez Callaway #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers drops a pass with Tyrell Ajian #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats and Lonnie Johnson Jr. #6 of the Kentucky Wildcats defending during the first half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bears aren’t going to be much of a topic on the NFL draft front this year due to them not having 1st or 2nd round picks available.

Still, that doesn’t mean they won’t be active in their pursuit of more young talent. They have five picks at their disposal and every one of them is going to count in their efforts to improve what they feel is a Super Bowl-ready team. The question becomes where they focus might end up being. Based on how things look going into the offseason, it’s possible the secondary may get the attention.

There are a few reasons for this. First is free agency. Both safety Adrian Amos and cornerback Bryce Callahan have expiring contracts. The odds are the Bears won’t be able to keep both. That means at least one of their key starting jobs on defense could be open, which increases the secondary needs.

Then there’s the presence of defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. He’s a defensive backs specialist and likely may have a different idea on what he wants from the position. Especially if he wants to run that aggressive press style he became known for in Baltimore.

That might explain why they were so active interviewing those positions at the Senior Bowl.

Kentucky CB sensed a strong interest from Chicago Bears

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There were a few defensive backs the Bears met with in Mobile including Kris Boyd of Texas and Sheldrick Redwine of Miami. However, it wasn’t until after the game ended that word came out they’d also snuck an interview with Kentucky cornerback Lonnie Johnson. He broke the news himself, offering hints that there was a strong interest from the Bears’ side according to NFL.com

"Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. doesn’t lack for confidence.After an impressive practice week, Johnson made four tackles in the game Saturday and afterward, said he’s come away from the Senior Bowl with a conviction that he’s the best cornerback in the 2019 draft.“I feel like I’m the best corner in the draft. That’s what it is. I can tackle, I can cover, and some guys at my position don’t even want to tackle,” Johnson said. “I stood out. I’m 6-3, I’m 210 pounds, and I’m going to run 4.4 at the combine, so y’all can take it from there.”Johnson said he sensed a good connection with the Chicago Bears in formal interviews this week."

Johnson certainly looks the part. The NFL has a high demand for big, athletic corners. Johnson looked good during Senior Bowl practices and was part of one of the better defenses in college football down at Kentucky in 2018. Of course with every big corner, it’s can he run? Most who stand 6’3 tend to be both on the slower side and stiff. Johnson would be an exemption to the rule if he proves one or both of those incorrect.

Then again if he does that, the likelihood he’s available when the Bears pick in the 3rd round goes out the window. Such are the realities of the NFL draft.

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