Chicago Bears: 5 Cornerbacks to target in 2021 NFL Draft

Paulson Adebo is 6-1 and weighs 198 pounds so he has the size you want in a cornerback. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, Paulson Adebo led FBS with 24 passes defended. Of those, he had 20 pass breakups and four interceptions, adding 64 tackles.  He earned first-team All-Pac-12. In 2019, he repeated the honor with four more interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 33 tackles despite missing three games. With the eight interceptions and 30 pass breakups in 22 games, Adebo is certainly a ball hawk the Bears could use.

Because of the COVID pandemic, Adebo opted out of the season and just concentrated on preparing for the draft.

Adebo is a physical corner who does a good jump pressing receivers at the line. He can smother receivers and just give them a hard time. Additionally, he thinks like a receiver. He understands what routes they run. He anticipates their moves and then jumps on the pass.

Adebo’s hands are just great. They are strong enough to harass receivers and ruin catch opportunities. However, they are also soft enough to go up and make great catches.

If Adebo gets beat, he has a second gear to make up and get back. Hr mirrors receivers and stays step-by-step with them.

If you noticed, I prioritize physical corners who can knock receivers off their routes. The Bears under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had a physical defense. In his final season in Chicago, his unit had 47 turnovers and 50 sacks. It ranked at the top in nearly every major category. It took until Week 9 before an opponent scored a rushing touchdown against them.

New defensive coordinator Sean Dasai was Fangio’s right-hand man and he likely brings that physicality back. These players do that. They bring back the Monsters of the Midway defense we all know and love.