Bears should consider drafting Julius Brents at No. 55 overall |
With the 2023 NFL Draft fast approaching, the Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do if they want to contend in the NFC North next season.
One area that the team needs to address is the depth at the cornerback position, which has been a weak spot for the Bears for the past few seasons. Fortunately, there are several promising prospects available in this year's draft, and one player that the Bears should consider selecting is Julius Brents. Brents is a cornerback from Kansas State University who could be available for the Bears around their second-round pick at No. 55. He is a physically imposing player who stands at 6'3" and has a massive wingspan. At the combine, Brents showed off his impressive athleticism, running a 4.53 40-yard dash, jumping a 41.5” vertical, and posting an 11’6” broad jump. His agility was also impressive, as he recorded a 6.63 3-cone and a 4.05 20-yard shuttle. Brents attended the University of Iowa for three seasons before transferring to Kansas State, where he started once he arrived on campus. During his two seasons at Kansas State, Brents recorded 83 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, five interceptions, five passes defended, and a forced fumble. In 2022, he only allowed a 46.2% catch rate, which was a testament to his coverage and press ability. Brents' impressive performance earned him First-Team All-Big-12 honors.
One of Brents' biggest assets is his rare size and length for the position. He combines his length with very good lower-body explosiveness, making him a dangerous player when jumping for the ball.
However, some scouts have noted that Brents is not the fastest cornerback in the draft, and this could be a concern for the Bears.
The Bears are known for playing a cover-2 defense, which is designed to prevent deep passes from opposing offenses. However, they have struggled against speedy wide receivers in man coverage, and this is an area where Brents' lack of top-end speed could be a concern. That said, Brents' length and athleticism could make up for his lack of top-end speed, and the Bears could use him in a variety of roles to maximize his strengths.
Ultimately, Julius Brents could be an excellent addition to the Chicago Bears' secondary. His rare size and length for the position, combined with his impressive athleticism and coverage skills, make him an intriguing prospect. If he is available at no. 55, the Bears should strongly consider selecting him.
