Back to the Chicago Bears Newsfeed

2021 NFL Draft: Bears take NT Khyiris Tonga in the seventh round

The Bears selected Brigham Young nose tackle Khyiris Tonga in the seventh round (250th overall) of the NFL Draft.

The 6-2, 325-pound Tonga was a three-year starter for BYU, with 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss. He was a team captain last season, when he had 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and five passes defensed.

The Bears expect starting nose tackle Eddie Goldman to return in 2021 after opting out last season because of concerns about the coronavirus, but are looking to replenish their depth after losing Roy Robertson-Harris and Brent Urban in free agency. With Bilal Nichols, who started at nose tackle in place of Goldman last season, moving back to end, Tonga figures to be a candidate to add interior depth on the defensive line.