The Chicago Bears struck gold with their first three picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.
GM Ryan Poles made it clear that he wanted to upgrade the offense, taking USC star QB Caleb Williams first overall before adding WR Rome Udonze with the no. 9 pick and OT Kiran Amegadjie with the No. 75 selection.
Now, some fans have been left surprised, as the Bears have taken the first punter of the draft with their fourth-round pick.
As shown By The Athletic, the Bears drafted Iowa punter Tory Taylor with the No. 122 pick, bolstering their special teams.
The Bears used the highest pick on a punter in five years with the pick.
Chicago ranked 31st in net punting and 25th in yards per punt last season.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 27, 2024
Taylor was firmly expected to be the first punter off the board this season.
He was the top punting prospect of this class.
The Australian-born player was busy early and often during his days at Iowa, as their perennial offensive struggles gave him plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills.
Standing at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, he’s a big and physical punter who often plants punts inside the 20 with ease.
He’s coming off a solid campaign, winning the Ray Guy Award, which is given to the nation’s best punter, and being selected for the first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten teams.
All in all, there’s no reason to think he won’t have a successful career in the league, but perhaps, landing a punter in the fourth round was a bit of a reach.
Nothing is perfect, Bears fans.
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