The Hall of Fame game was predictably awful in terms of its overall football quality. The Chicago Bears as a team looked erratic, especially on offense in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Of course, the end result meant nothing. Games like this are more about the evaluation of personnel in a game situation.
In those conditions, the Bears coaching staff actually did get some encouraging tape. Most of it came from the team’s 2018 draft class. Keep in mind that the entire top half of the group did not play. Roquan Smith is still holding out over his contract. James Daniels and Anthony Miller were kept on the sidelines. Joel Iyiegbuniwe has been out with a shoulder issue.
Yet somehow the class still had a significant impact on the game. Not just the occasional flash either, but consistent playmaking moments. If that doesn’t offer encouragement about how good this group might be, nothing does.
All of Chicago Bears draft class who suited up made big plays
The man to start things off was sixth round pick Kylie Fitts. The outside linebacker from Utah didn’t have the best start to the game but he began to make noise late in the first half when he had multiple pressures on the quarterback, including a sack. He showed not only some quickness off the snap but a considerable power element as well.
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Kylie Fitts overwhelms rookie TE Nick Keizer from Grand Valley St. for the sack pic.twitter.com/6imQrh0byS
— Bears Barroom (@BearsBarroom) August 3, 2018
Fellow defender and fifth round pick Bilal Nichols out of Delaware got in on the action in the second half. He knifed into the backfield a number of times, causing problems for the Ravens offense before finally dropping Lamar Jackson for a sack. Not only that but he also made three key plays to force a three-and-out late in the game, giving his team a final chance to win. His explosion for a guy who is 300 lbs is rather impressive. It’s easy to see why the Bears liked him.
Yet the player of the night for the Bears was undoubtedly seventh round pick Javon Wims. The Georgia wide receiver was the primary spark on offense the entire second half, making some impressive catches to keep drives alive. He showed off both his 6’3 frame and his strong hands as well, finishing with seven catches for 89 yards.
Given all the talk about Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller, Wims was the forgotten man. Some even wondered if he might make the roster. Yet after a brutal showing by Bennie Fowler and Marlon Brown, who combined for three drops on the night, he no doubt rocketed up the depth chart with that performance.
If that’s the sort of play the Bears were able to get from the bottom half of their draft class, one can just imagine how things might be when the top half finally starts playing in games.
