The Chicago Bears made headlines after trading the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. 

The trade netted the Bears draft capital, a stud receiver in DJ Moore, and the team was still able to select one of the best tackle prospects in Darnell Wright. The Bears now have depth and several competitions are brewing this summer. 

One such position battle is at cornerback. We know Jaylon Johnson will start on one side and Kyler Gordon will be the nickel. But who will be the other starting CB? 

The Bears have a few options here. 

Kindle Vildor, who has started 22 games in his three-year career is still on the team. Rookie second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson is another option, and he has impressed already this summer. 

Veterans Greg Stroman Jr. and Michael Ojemudia, as well as 2022 UDFA Jaylon Jones round out the options currently rostered. 

Vildor is the most experienced starter, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire and could be on the chopping block. Ojemudia and Stroman are best suited for reserve roles at this point and probably aren't serious contenders to start. 

Jones could still develop into a solid player. The former Ole Miss Rebel got bullied a bit as a rookie, but that's to be expected from a UDFA on a bad team. 

This leads me to believe that the rookie Stevenson is the best starting option. He will undoubtedly take his lumps like every rookie does, but he has the highest upside. Stevenson has experience in the SEC and ACC so the transition to the NFL may not be as hard as it is for others. 

Stevenson also has prototypical size for an outside corner, standing at 6'0", weighing 214 pounds. He could have trouble keeping up with speedy receivers, but his physicality could help in the run game as well. 

The job is Stevenson's to lose, in my opinion. Do you think the rookie can do enough to stave off veteran competition? 

Featured image via © Kirby Lee | 2023 Mar 3