The Chicago Bears doubled down on defense with the addition of Penn State Jaquan Brisker with the 48th overall pick in the NFL draft, where general manager Ryan Poles addressed big holes in the secondary.
The secondary was a major concern for the Bears last season, and Poles immediately upgraded at cornerback with Kyler Gordon and safety with Gordon, who’s a versatile athlete with proven college success.
Brisker projects as an immediate starter at safety opposite Eddie Jackson, where Chicago has two players who have shown they can be ball-hawkers during their respective careers. Brisker allowed just one touchdown in nearly 1,000 collegiate snaps, and he’s been hailed as a leader in the locker room.
Here’s a collection of all of the grades for Brisker from various sports outlets, and while analysts think Chicago got great value, it was hard to get on board with passing on a wide receiver for Justin Fields.
NFL.com
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Brisker is an active defender with a variety of skills that could make him a dynamic Swiss Army knife-like playmaker as a pro. He excels near the box but also flashes the instincts and awareness to be effective between the numbers.
— Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
ESPN: 80
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears doubled down on defense in the second round and selected a player who could start opposite Eddie Jackson at safety. Most of Brisker’s snaps came playing up in the box, but his versatility makes him a fit at deep safety or in the slot. “He was always the kind of the guy that was the defensive coordinator on the field for Penn State,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. His size (6-foot-1, 204 pounds), flexibility and physicality make him a solid addition to Chicago’s secondary, but the bigger topic might be the Bears’ decision to forego any offensive additions with their top two picks to aid quarterback Justin Fields in his second…