LAKE FOREST, Ill (AP) — New Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was a busy man in his first draft. He added 11 players over the final two days after sitting out the first round and addressed needs in all areas. The Bears believe they got a potential starter opposite cornerback Jaylon Johnson when they took Washington’s Kyler Gordon in the second round at No. 39 overall and added to the secondary again when they grabbed Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker at No. 48. The Bears also got a receiver in the third round when they grabbed Tennessee’s Velus Jones at No. 71 on Friday. The Bears wound up with eight more picks after a flurry of trades Saturday.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up the NFL draft having filled all of their biggest holes, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They addressed that area with cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end George Karlaftis in the first round, safety Bryan Cook in the second, and linebacker Leo Chenal in the third. They also landed help for Patrick Mahomes in the form of Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore in the second round and Kentucky offensive lineman Darrian Kinnard, who many viewed as a Day Two talent but who fell to Kansas City in the fifth round.
Elsewhere in the NFL draft:
— The Los Angeles Rams have reacquired Troy Hill. They sent a fifth-round pick in 2023 to the Cleveland Browns Saturday in a trade for the versatile defensive back.
Hill spent five seasons with the Rams and became a key component of their secondary as their top slot defender and nickel back. He left the Rams as a free agent last year for a two-year, $9 million contract with Cleveland.
— In Las Vegas, which bills itself as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” an NFL draft bereft of star quarterback prospects wouldn’t seem a fit. But running backs and kickers were more of a focus for much of Day 3 on Saturday.
Two punters and a placekicker went as the final day of selections began before any more quarterbacks were taken. Another punter, San Diego State’s left-footed Matt Araiza, was the opening pick of the sixth round, by Buffalo. And yet another punter, Trenton Gill of North Carolina State, was the 255th selection by Chicago.
Quarterbacks did get chosen, though. The fifth round got started with Washington grabbing North Carolina QB Sam Howell. And the final choice of the draft, Mr. Irrelevant, went to San Francisco, which took quarterback Brock Purdy of Iowa State.
The national champion Georgia Bulldogs dominated the proceedings overall. They set a record through six rounds by having 15 selected: eight on defense, six on offense, and a punter.
