Draft classes can’t be defined by their rookie seasons, but at most positions, good players start to show promise toward the end of their first year. That’s happening with the Bears, who are playing rookies not for the purpose of future development but because they can help them win now.
That was evident immediately with cornerback Jaylon Johnson (second round) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (fifth), both of whom were NFL-ready before the season opener. But now it’s happening at tight end with Cole Kmet (second), who played a season-high 85% of the snaps against the Texans, and the Bears are seeing progress from outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (fifth).