Ask any Chicago Bears fan what the top needs are for their team going into the draft; the answers will often stay the same. The offensive line and wide receiver sit at the top with cornerback close behind them. The Bears were thin at that spot last season and haven’t done too much to fix the issue. Adding veteran Tavon Young is a good start, but they need another boundary option to play opposite Jaylon Johnson.
Considering how pricey good cornerbacks are on the veteran market, it was almost a foregone conclusion GM Ryan Poles would wait until the draft to seek some help. According to insider Jordan Schultz, the team is scheduled to meet with Pitt standout Damarri Mathis next week as one of their league-authorized 30 prospect visits. This offers a clear indication the team is interested in the young corner. Upon digging into his background, it’s not hard to see why.
.@Pitt_FB CB Damarri Mathis had a top-30 visit w/the #Raiders and has another one — w/the #Bears — on April 18, per source.
Mathis had a sensational Combine:
40: 4.39
Vert: 43.5
Broad: 11’1Also had 5 INTs, 18 Pass PBUs And just 37% completion since 2019 (2nd-best in country)
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 14, 2022
Mathis is an undeniable athlete.
His combine numbers were among the best of all cornerbacks for the 2022 class. He proved he has enough speed to hang with receivers in the NFL and can jump plenty high enough to offset his modest 5’11 size. Where he probably excites the Bears is his ball skills. In the last two seasons he played (he missed 2020 with a shoulder issue), he had four interceptions, including a pick-six and 16 passes defended. Mathis shows a constant knack for tracking the ball in the air and getting his hands on it.
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Damarri Mathis (@Marri863) getting buzz after posting 43.5 VJ and 11-1 BJ at @Pitt_FB pro-day but his physicality is what originally got @seniorbowl’s attention. Plenty of examples on ‘21 🎥. Personally haven’t seen 43.5 vert since Troy Polamalu in ‘03.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/ulgxjImPu2
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 21, 2022
One of my favorite plays from my career as a panther!!👣 pic.twitter.com/Mzlt8zsi8x
— Damarri Mathis (@Marri863) April 12, 2022
Happy Birthday, @Marri863 🥳
Whoever selects Damarri Mathis in the 2022 @NFLDraft will be very happy 🏝#H2P pic.twitter.com/BnT2m4gfox
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) April 12, 2022
The problems with his game regard his lack of poise whenever a receiver manages to get behind. It often leads to penalties. He also struggles with taking correct tackling angles in space. These are things that can be corrected with coaching. Mathis’ style makes him a zone-type corner, keeping plays in front of him and flying downhill to either thump receivers or go for the football. He’d make a great fit in Matt Eberflus’ new defense.
Chicago Bears seek full-time corners like Mathis.
Too often these days, most cornerbacks are the types that only seem interested in playing good coverage. Everything else they leave up to teammates. That isn’t going to fly with Eberflus. He demands cornerbacks not only be able to cover but also tackle. Run support is a big part of this system from that position. Ask Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher. People forgot how good they were at tackling for all the interceptions they had.
Mathis is one of those old-school types. He’s not afraid to throw his body around and does a good job of finishing when he gets his hands on a ball carrier. He might not bring the same flash as others in this draft class, but he fits the profile of what the Chicago Bears want. Expectations are he’ll go somewhere between the 3rd and 5th rounds later this month.
The Bears have three picks in that range.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if they waited to address the defense until the later rounds, focusing on the offense with their top two or three picks. Nobody would complain. Justin Fields needs help. Still, the defense is sorely in need of a youth infusion. Mathis has enough good points to think he can be a viable NFL starter.
