Even without a first-round pick in their arsenal, the Chicago Bears had a successful 2020 NFL draft haul after landing Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet and Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson at the 43rd and 50th picks.
Kmet will get most of the attention this summer because of his status as an offensive skill player who's likely to be a popular target in fantasy football dynasty leagues, but it's Johnson who NFL.com thinks is one of the 25 rookies in the best chance to succeed this season.
25) Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears: Artie Burns and Kevin Toliver are the other options to start opposite Kyle Fuller. In other words, the Bears need Johnson to step up and win that job. The good news is he's up to the task. Perhaps his history of shoulder surgeries -- the most recent one coming in March -- scared some teams off and explains why he was available late in Round 2 (50th overall) after many had him pegged as a first-round pick. Regardless, it's a great value for a Chicago secondary that gets a feisty corner with the toughness, strength and instincts the team covets.
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It's true that Johnson should have the inside track at starting opposite Fuller, but cornerbacks tend to undergo a steep learning curve as they adjust to complex NFL route combinations and the overall talent of pro receivers. Remember: even No. 2 and No. 3 receivers Johnson covers in 2020 will most likely be better than any player he faced during his time at Utah. He'll suffer his fair share of lost reps, but his upside as a long and physical cover guy should help him get up to speed pretty quick.
If Kmet and Johnson end up being productive rookies in 2020, a season in which the Bears are expected to make a strong push for a playoff run, then Ryan Pace will enter next offseason with some bragging rights for a job well done.