The Bears bolstered their defensive line in the fifth round of the draft Saturday by choosing Delaware defensive tackle Bilal Nichols with the 145th overall pick.
The 6-4, 306-pounder was a four-year contributor and two-year starter for the Blue Hens. Playing in a 3-4 defense for the first time last season as a senior, Nichols was named first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association after registering 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one interception.
As a junior in 2016, Nichols compiled 25 tackles, five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
Nichols, who was raised by his grandparents in Newark, N.