Chicago Bears 2020 NFL Draft 5th Round Picks – Instant Reaction

By Ha Kung Wong

Pick 155

Trevis Gipson

Outside Linebacker – Tulsa

I never had outside linebacker as a specific need for the Bears, as they have a ton of money committed to Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, but in the interest of preserving Mack and Quinn and giving some flexibility to sub another edge rusher in, I don’t hate getting one in the 5th round.

Trevis Gipson was a two year starter at Tulsa, and has good size (261 lbs.), length and speed.  He’s athletic and has solid ability get inside and pressure opposing quarterbacks (he had 8 sacks last season), while also being a disruptive run defender with quickness to shoot gaps and make plays in the backfield. Unfortunately, he’s not always consistent and tends to get neutralized if he doesn’t win immediately off the block.  I’m not thrilled with the pick, but in the 5th round, he’s worth a flyer as situational player that can give Mack and Quinn and breather.

Pick 163

Kindle Vildor

Cornerback – Georgia Southern

I already discussed the cornerback situation when I discussed the Jaylon Johnson pick in the 2nd Round.  Clearly, Johnson fills the need and will instantly start assuming he’s healthy, but as you might recall, there isn’t a ton of dynamic depth behind him, so getting another cornerback in the 5th round makes sense.

Kindle Vildor has good length even though he’s a bit on the short side (5′ 10″).  He was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2018, compiling 42 stops, a team-high 4 interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 13 starts. In 2019, he was first-team all-conference again despite missing time with an ankle injury, compiling 27 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups in 11 games.  He can disrupt receivers off the line, and has great ball skills, but doesn’t play as fast as you would think downfield plus is a questionable tackler.  He excelled in man coverage more so than zone, but should be useful in both.  Again, I don’t mind the pick as a depth selection.

Pick 173

Darnell Mooney

Wide Receiver – Tulane

Call me crazy, but this is the guy I’m most excited about among the Bears 5th Round picks.

The Bears failed to replace Taylor Gabriel in free agency, but do still have unproven Javon Wims and Riley Ridley in the wings.  Frankly, that doesn’t make me feel all that comfortable, even with the addition of pass catching tight end Cole Kmet in the 2nd Round.  The Bears could definitely use a speedy threat to add to Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller.  And that’s exactly what they did when they traded with the Eagles to move up and get Darnell Mooney.

Mooney may be a little on the small side at 5′ 10″ and 176 lbs., but he has outstanding top-end speed (putting up a 4.38 40-yard dash), great acceleration and decent sized hands.  He was a highlight film at Tulane who frequently took short passes to the house by blowing away defenders all over the field.  He gets some criticism for the number of drops he had, plus he’s not going to challenge physical corners downfield, but he can play inside or outside, has solid ball tracking downfield and can be lightning in a bottle if he develops a little more consistency.

Bears 5th Round Overall Draft Grade: B-

Also check out our Instant Reaction and Grade for the Bears 2nd Round Picks and the Bears 7th Round Picks!