The Chicago Bears didn’t wait long to make their second pick of the night. Shortly after they selected defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. with the No. 53 pick, general manager Ryan Poles traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 56 to select cornerback Tyrique Stevenson out of Miami.
Stevenson is a physical corner who has the size to matchup with receivers on the outside. He should compete right away for the outside corner job with Kindle Vildor, while Jaylon Johnson mans the other side and Kyler Gordon plays in the nickel position. The Bears sent the No. 61 and No. 135 to the Jaguars for the selection as they continue to focus on defense.
With Stevenson in the fold, the Bears secondary becomes one of the biggest strengths of the team. Here is how Twitter reacted to the pick.
New Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson is going to be a popular player in Chicago pic.twitter.com/MSsw0HpE8j
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) April 29, 2023
#Bears trade up for Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson!
An athletic and physical playmaker that will solidify the young and promising secondary.
pic.twitter.com/kPVNrkHha6— Josh DeLuca (@JoshDeLuca4) April 29, 2023
Tyrique Stevenson Jaylon Johnson Kyler Gordon Jaquan Brisker Eddie Jackson it’s a NO FLY ZONE 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Y2EHZ8RlE1
— Lex 🎱 (@RipEnvious) April 29, 2023
Stevenson’s physicality and patience stand out to me in man coverage.
He maintains good footwork and hand usage through a WR’s stems, and he’s combative at the catch point. #Bears pic.twitter.com/b744zsYEdY
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 29, 2023
"Super, super, super aggressive. This guy will absolutely knock you out. This is a Chicago Bear. This is the kind of guy that Matt Eberflus is going to love."
– Louis Riddick on newest Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson(Via @espn)
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) April 29, 2023
#Bears used the 56th pick on Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson. He's got a good frame and is physical and can play both press man and Cover 2. He had a strong week at the Senior Bowl.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 29, 2023
Bears trade up and get Tyrique Stevenson!
• Big, athletic press corner
• Elite length
• Aggressive and physicalShould start alongside Jaylon Johnson and battle it out with Kindle Vildor.
CB def was an underrated need for us. #Bears
— Joseph Herff (@JosephHerffNFL) April 29, 2023
Don’t know much about Tyrique Stevenson but my Miami fan friend approves pic.twitter.com/V6meh2lw4Y
— Taylor Doll (@TayDoll1010xl) April 29, 2023
CB Tyrique Stevenson was described to me by one NFC coach as having an aggressive play style while being extremely smart. He can play both outside and in the slot, and has a knack for tracking the ball in the air.
It showed at Miami where he led the team with 7 PBUs last season.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) April 29, 2023
I watched a number of tapes in Stevenson and I liked him until the last game I watched where he got torched 3 times. Talent is there to be very good but he has to pay attention to detail
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) April 29, 2023
#Bears fans, Tyrique Stevenson is going to SHUT IT DOWN!
"I’m going to compete. I’m going to play my ass off. I’m going to earn my respect. I don’t expect anything handed to me. I’m going to earn it." #NFLDraft @dreamchaserTy10 x @TheDraftNetwork 🤝https://t.co/qzMMrxE8DU
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 29, 2023
The #Bears are getting an underrated baller in CB Tyrique Stevenson.
Stevenson is big and lengthy, plays aggressively, and should be a first-year starter in Chicago.
CB was position of need, and Ryan Poles continues to make this team better. Onto the next!
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) April 29, 2023
Bears secondary has now had a bow put on it. Kyler Gordon, Jay Johnson, Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker and now Tyrique Stevenson is a legitimate back end of the Eberflus defense. They also have their LBs. D line got a boost with Dexter. Still need pass rushers, but this is good
— Mikey “Beardown” Cuz (@BeardownCuz) April 29, 2023
Love Stevenson.
Physical, explosive, makes WRs uncomfortable, plays chippy. Press Man corner. Needs to become more disciplined. Did have a labrum tear that required surgery in '21.
NFL starter.#DaBears https://t.co/xc6MIdLOjP
— Mason West (@WestSportsPT) April 29, 2023
LOVE Tyrique Stevenson. Explosive athlete who fits exactly what the Bears need and are building on defense
— Kevin Lapka (@kevcharles112) April 29, 2023
Tyrique Stevenson pic.twitter.com/w2voPANXoi
— VP of Wu Tang Financial (@BarbChairScott) April 29, 2023
The #Bears have holes up front on defense but their back seven could be excellent in short order. Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker with TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Very solid.
— James Fox (@JamesFox917) April 29, 2023
The #Bears secondary to Stevenson… https://t.co/itXKEstBCq pic.twitter.com/oAJ8usEPQj
— Jeff Berckes (@gridironborn) April 29, 2023
Bears are having one of those super solid drafts where they just check off boxes at every area of need.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 29, 2023
The Bears trade up and select Tyrique Stevenson with the 56th pick 🔥
His stats last season at Miami:
79.5 coverage grade
42% allowed completion rate
8 forced incompletionsI’m becoming a big fan of this pick. pic.twitter.com/OoUOpUBiCA
— 🏂 (@FieldsLaVine) April 29, 2023
No Fly Zone 🚫✈️🙅🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/ibd6SImXzM
— Lerrato 🐻⬇️ (@chilerrato) April 29, 2023
I REALLY like what #DaBears Have Done so Far.
– Darnell Wright
– Gervon Dexter Sr
– Tyrique Stevenson— The Irish Bears Show (@IrishBearsShow) April 29, 2023
Another 2nd round defensive back for Poles, taking Miami corner Tyrique Stevenson. @paytonsun has to like another guy from The U!
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) April 29, 2023