Chicago Bears: 5 Breakout players to watch when training camp begins

4. Thomas Graham Jr., Cornerback

By all accounts, cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. was one of the top players in the nation at his position. Heading into the 2020 season, he led the FBS in pass breakups with 32. He was seventh in the nation in interceptions with eight.

Graham had a third-round grade by many analysts (he ranked 76th). As the draft progressed past the second round then the third, Graham wasn’t picked. Then the fourth round came, and the fifth but he still wasn’t selected. It wasn’t until the Bears came in with the final pick of the sixth round, No. 228 overall, that Graham finally found a home.

What caused Graham’s slide? He didn’t have any injuries and there were no red flags concerning his conduct. In fact, many scouts applauded him for his leadership skills on and off the field. Something had to happen to cause it.

Well, the only thing one could look at is that he opted out of the 2020 season so he could concentrate on the draft. With the COVID  pandemic and an odd season, Graham felt he needed to just prepare for his professional career. Without any 2020 tape, teams shied away from him.

With the Bears needing a cornerback and a very talented cornerback in Graham available, general manager Ryan Pace pulled the trigger and selected him. This pick could end up being as good as picking a first-round talent in Eddie Jackson in the fourth round of the 2017 draft.

Graham was certainly frustrated with his slide but he’s just glad to have the opportunity to show the other teams wrong, per the team’s official website:

"I did get away from the TV after the fifth round. My parents called me and they just said, ‘We believe in you just as much as you believe in yourself. Your name is going to get called. When it is, take advantage of that opportunity… But all that did was kind of put a chip on my shoulder—and I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder. I’m just going out there ready to play, ready to go ball…"

Graham’s chip could be a boom for the Chicago Bears defense. He has the talent to succeed in the NFL. Now he also has the desire to make other teams look bad for passing him up.