Chicago Bears: Late-round sleeper targets in 2018 NFL Draft

The late rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft are where hidden gems can be found and there are several players the Chicago Bears could target who could be steals.

The Chicago Bears should be able to select an impact player at No. 8 in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but it’s who the team selects in the late-rounds that could be the real difference makers. It’s expected that first-round picks contribute immediately and have the real potential of becoming perennial Pro Bowlers. It’s the Day 2 or Day 3 selections, however, that separate the good teams from the great ones.

Finding “hidden gems” late in the draft can elevate teams very quickly. Just take a look at what the Seattle Seahawks have done in recent years and you can see the impact that late-round picks can have. Russell Wilson was a third-round pick; Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman were fifth-round picks; Malcolm Smith (Super Bowl 48 MVP) was a seventh-round pick; and Doug Baldwin was even signed as an undrafted free agent.

The Bears have found some late-round gems in recent years such as Tarik Cohen (fourth round), Adrian Amos (fifth round), Jordan Howard (fifth round), and even Charles Leno, Jr. (seventh round).

More of the same is needed this year, and here are some players to keep an eye on:

Parry Nickerson, CB, Tulane

The Bears have found success drafting Tulane players before (see Matt Forte) and Nickerson could be a draft-day steal. Undersized (5-10) yet extremely fast (4.32-second 40 time), Nickerson is a ballhawk at cornerback who isn’t afraid to stick his nose in with run support. His size likely will limit him to nickel duties in the NFL, but he would provide great insurance for Bryce Callahan and could even help on special teams.

Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest

The Bears need pass rushers and Ejiofor would be a nice fit. He has a good motor and strength. His football IQ is off the charts and he routinely uses his powerful hands to rip and shed offensive linemen. The tutelage of Vic Fangio would likely do wonders for Ejiofor.

R.J. McIntosh, DL, Miami

The Bears do have a hole along the defensive line with the departure of Mitch Unrein and McIntosh could help fill it. Capable of playing a 3-4 defensive end and a 4-3 defensive tackle, McIntosh is a quick-twitch athlete who has great gap integrity (which is a key in Fangio’s defense). He uses his hands well and could compete with Jonathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris for the starting defensive end spot.

Tre’Quan Smith, WR, UCF

Possessing good size (6-1) and speed (4.49-second 40 time), Smith uses his exceptionally long arms to routinely make contested catches. He’s a bit inconsistent, but given time, Smith could develop into a nice complement to Allen Robinson.

DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State

Hamilton doesn’t possess explosive athletic traits but he’s one of the best route runners in the draft. He was a team leader at Penn State and constantly competes. He’s not flashy and his numbers don’t jump off the page, but Hamilton is great in the locker room and gets the job done on the field.

Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech

Teller is a strong guard who has a bit of a nasty streak in him. He has good body control and finishes blocks. His effort isn’t always consistent but he could greatly benefit from Harry Heistand’s coaching. He’s probably not a candidate to start right away, but Teller could develop into a nice player.

Next: NFL Mock Draft: Unexpected first-round picks, final week

M.J. Stewart, CB/S, UNC

Mitchell Trubisky should know Stewart well from their playing days together at North Carolina. Stewart is a versatile defender capable of playing safety or corner. He has good press-coverage abilities as a corner and is a physical player at safety. Stewart is a tackling machine and would provide great depth behind Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson.

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