Bears Rookie Grades: Here’s how Chicago’s 2023 draft class has performed this preseason

The 2023 NFL preseason is quickly coming to a close. The Chicago Bears play their third and final exhibition contest on Saturday, Aug. 26, against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. It will be the last chance for players on the roster bubble to convince GM Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus that they deserve a spot on the squad.

The final preseason game is especially important for the Bears’ rookie class. From 2023 first-round pick Darnell Wright to seventh-rounder Travis Bell, the range of outcomes for each first-year player is significant.

Some rookies are fighting for starting jobs, while others hope to latch onto the practice squad.

Here’s how each Chicago Bears 2023 draft pick has performed through two preseason games.

Round 1: Darnell Wright (OT)

PFF Grade: 62.8

Wright has only played seven snaps this preseason and was part of the selected starters who didn’t suit up in Week 2 against the Colts. He should see his most extensive action of the summer against the Bills. Wright has been as good as advertised during training camp and will be one of the most important Bears on offense in 2023.

Round 2: Gervon Dexter Sr. (DL)

PFF Grade: 55.4

Dexter’s up-and-down training camp has continued into the preseason. The former Florida Gator has flashed impressive penetrating ability on some reps while also showing poor pad level and ineffectiveness on others. He’s managed one pressure on 44 pass-rush snaps and has an atrocious 28.3 tackling grade. Despite his struggles, Dexter’s ceiling remains incredibly high.

Round 2: Tyrique Stevenson (CB)

PFF Grade: 62.8

Stevenson’s logged 73 snaps through two games and has been one of the Chicago Bears’ most active and aggressive defenders this summer. His aggressiveness has led to a few bad penalties, but overall, Stevenson is expected to start opposite Jaylon Johnson and has a chance to be a headliner on defense early in his career.

Round 3: Zacch Pickens (DL)

PFF Grade: 56.0

Pickens has had some of the flashiest plays of all the Bears’ rookies this summer. His 72.3 tackling grade is solid, and he’s proving he can offer pass rush as an interior defender. He has two pressures and a sack in 48 pass-rush snaps. Pickens will factor into the defensive line rotation and could emerge as a starter by midseason.

Round 4: Roschon Johnson (RB)

PFF Grade: 62.1

Johnson has done his part to earn serious consideration to be the Chicago Bears’ RB2. He’s run with the kind of violence Bears fans expected, and his burst into the second level has been encouraging. He’s a north-south slasher who is a great fit for what the Bears want to do on offense. He’ll carve out a significant role in the running game by October.

Round 4: Tyler Scott (WR)

PFF Grade: 46.2

The buzz Scott created during training camp practices has quieted during the preseason. He’s had a rough go of it over 23 snaps and has the third-lowest grade of all Bears players on offense so far. Scott should still be a lock to make the final roster, but his chances to become the WR4 are beginning to worsen.

Round 5: Noah Sewell (LB)

PFF Grade: 60.6

Sewell is looking more and more like a bargain in Round 5. He’s turned up the heat on Jack Sanborn for a starting job, and he’s played with a physical style through two preseason games. He has the Bears’ highest run-defense grade (76.5) of any defender with 40 or more snaps this preseason.

Round 5: Terell Smith (CB)

PFF Grade: 66.1

Smith began the preseason as a contender for the starting cornerback job opposite Jaylon Johnson, but he’s played only 13 snaps and has been unremarkable through two games. He’s fallen way behind Stevenson and is more of a depth player.

Round 7: Travis Bell (DL)

PFF Grade: 64.2

Bell is a fun player to watch, and he’s easy to root for. He’s also been productive on the field, with two pressures and a sack in 33 pass-rush snaps. There’s a logjam of interior defensive linemen on the roster, making Bell’s quest for the 53-man squad more difficult. But he’s played well for a seventh-round pick from a small school.

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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Round 7: Kendall Williamson (SAF)

PFF Grade: 42.5

Williamson has received a bunch of reps this preseason (66) but hasn’t done much to prove he’s worthy of a final roster spot. The Bears have better options for depth at safety. Pencil Williamson in as a practice squad candidate.

AP Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast

BONUS: Tyson Bagent (QB)

PFF Grade: 91.5

Who would’ve guessed Bagent would be the Chicago Bears’ most impressive rookie this preseason? The undrafted quarterback from Shepherd is winning the backup quarterback competition, and it isn’t particularly close. Bagent has a tremendous pocket disposition and plenty of arm talent to be a successful NFL quarterback. The Bears are lucky to have him.