3 mid-round safeties the Chicago Bears should consider in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears are entering the 2024 NFL Draft with a long-term need at safety. Head coach Matt Eberflus will start Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker at the position. The aging Byard is, however, on a two-year contract, and the Bears possess the flexibility to release him after the season if he underperforms.

General manager Ryan Poles could target Byard’s eventual successor with a mid-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears have shown interest in several defensive backs throughout the pre-draft process. We’ve identified three safeties the Bears could consider drafting.

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | Texas Tech

The Bears are hosting Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson on a pre-draft visit. The news was confirmed on Twitter earlier this week by the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Taylor-Demerson is a versatile defensive back who thrives in man and zone coverage. The Red Raiders standout utilizes instincts and ball skills to generate turnovers.

Taylor-Demerson ran the 40 at the NFL Combine in 4.41 seconds. He also leaped a 38-inch vertical. Taylor-Demerson lacks outstanding size, but instincts and production are present in bunches.

Texas Tech DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson visiting Bears, Cardinals this week, per @TomPelissero https://t.co/3MmRGI7pe1 pic.twitter.com/PIY9hVjQZq

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 15, 2024

Tyler Nubin | Minnesota

Nubin is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety prospect with terrific coverage instincts, range, and ball skills—those traits please Poles. Nubin intercepted 13 career passes at Minnesota, including a career-high five in 2023. His production has been consistent in that category, with four interceptions in 2022 and three in 2021.

Nubin also added 24 pass breakups to his career totals. Nubin is a ball-hawk that recognizes route concepts. He’s also versatile enough to creep downhill toward the line of scrimmage to cover tight ends and slot receivers in man-to-man coverage.

Minnesota Safety Tyler Nubin said it would be a “dream” to play for the Bears.

Chicago needs to replace Eddie Jackson. #Bears #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/bina4g9ddN

— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) February 29, 2024

Jaden Hicks | Washington State

Hicks is another instinctual defensive back that thrived at Washington State while playing in the box, as a nickel defender, and in single-high or two-high coverage shells. That versatility could appeal to Poles on draft weekend, especially if he’s searching for a third safety to complement Byard and Brisker. Hicks posted career highs in tackles (79), tackles for loss (6), sacks (2.5), and interceptions (2) this past season.

Hicks continued elevating his pre-draft stock at the NFL Combine. The Las Vegas, Nevada native ran a 4.5 40 and a 6.88 3-cone. Hicks also leaped a 37.5-inch vertical.