The Chicago Bears made their final scheduled selection in the 2024 NFL Draft by drafting Iowa punter Tory Taylor with the No. 122 overall pick in the fourth round. Taylor was the first specialist drafted throughout the weekend. Investing this sort of capital indicates Taylor will be the Bears' starting punter next season.
Adding an Aussie 🇦🇺
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 27, 2024
Welcome to the squad, Tory! pic.twitter.com/wU4aAvSs8v
Taylor's 46.3 career yard average via 295 punts for 13,657 yards. Taylor saw 103 punts travel 50+ yards. Taylor set all-time punt total and yardage records at Iowa. In 2023, Taylor set the NCAA 85-year-old single-season yardage record, recording 4,479 yards via 93 punts. He's arguably one of the most prolific punters in college football history.
The Bears punted on 67 occasions last season. Trenton Gill averaged 46.1 yards per punt, which ranked 25th in the league. The Bears' net average of 40.4 yards per punt ranked dead last. Gill placed a 28th-ranked 18 punts inside opposing 20 yard lines. Taylor will provide a clear upgrade on Gill, who wasn't going to be welcomed back to Chicago next season.
Taylor is a legitimate field flipper, but drafting a specialist is always welcomed with lukewarm feelings. The Bears only possessed four selections throughout this entire draft, so using one on a punter makes it extra suspect. Taylor is special, but the Bears could have also used a defensive tackle or EDGE defender here.