Chicago Bears select Tyrique Stevenson in 2nd round of 2023 NFL Draft
The Chicago have selected Tyrique Stevenson with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot, 214-pound Miami standout will now take his talents to the NFL and look to earn a role in the defensive backfield.
Stevenson finished the 2022 college season with 25 tackles, seven pass deflections and a career-high two interceptions. On his college career, which included two seasons at Georgia and two with Miami, the cornerback racked up 115 tackles, 21 pass deflections and three interceptions.
He came into college as a coveted prospect in the class of 2019 after starring at Miami Southridge (FL). Stevenson ranked as a four-star recruit at No. 36 overall and No. 3 among cornerbacks, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Tyrique Stevenson
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Tyrique Stevenson can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the cornerback’s draft profile. The analyst compared the Miami product to James Bradberry, who is a Pro Bowler and former second-round pick.
The NFL.com scout believes Stevenson will eventually turn into an NFL-caliber starter on the outside for a team in the league. He broke down why in his report.
“Big cornerback with the size and play strength to help match up with bigger receivers in the league,” wrote Zierlein. “Stevenson is patient but physical in press-man and has good recovery speed when he falls behind. He struggles as a pattern matcher in off-man and had issues with busts in zone, so he might be scheme-dependent. Stevenson is talented when attacking the catch point and has the ball skills to make plays on 50/50 throws. He needs to become more consistent in run support but has the physical attributes to become a starter in a press-man scheme.”
Zierlein also broke down what Stevenson’s greatest strengths and weaknesses are at this point.
Stevenson’s strengths include: “Height-weight-speed prospect with explosive athletic traits, play strength to press and slow release, adequate footwork to stay in phase with the route, springy leaper with high-point talent, hunts for the hands to break up catch tries, can recover and close with above average acceleration.”
Stevenson’s weaknesses include: “Below average transitions with route breaks from off-man, overextends and loses balance when opening to chase, fails to recognize plays developing around him, multiple busts in zone coverages, exploited by North Carolina on three long completions, takes inconsistent angles in run support.”