The Chicago Bears traded up from No. 61 to No. 56 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. It was their second of two second-round selections. Ryan Poles used No. 53 overall on Florida defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr.
Stevenson (6-foot, 198 pounds) started 11 games for the Hurricanes in 2022. He finished the season with two interceptions and a team-best 7.5 pass breakups.
"Big cornerback with the size and play strength to help match up with bigger receivers in the league," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. "Stevenson is patient but physical in press-man and has good recovery speed when he falls behind. He struggles as a pattern matcher in off-man and had issues with busts in zone, so he might be scheme-dependent. Stevenson is talented when attacking the catch point and has the ball skills to make plays on 50/50 throws. He needs to become more consistent in run support but has the physical attributes to become a starter in a press-man scheme."
Stevenson makes it two years in a row that Poles has invested high draft picks on defensive backs. Cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker were added in the second round in 2022 and emerged as key starters on defense as rookies for the Chicago Bears.
The Bears need a cornerback alongside Gordon and Jaylon Johnson, and Stevenson was arguably the best all-around cover guy who remained on the board. He may not have been on many Chicago Bears fans' radars before the draft, but he's a logical choice who will play early in his career.
After selecting offensive tackle Darnell Wright in the first round, Poles is making a concerted effort to upgrade the defense in Round 2. Dexter was a reach, but Stevenson is a safe pick who should contribute as a rookie on defense and special teams.
Grade: C+
