2024 Draft Preview for the Bears: Assessing Chicago's Special Teams

The Chicago Bears are actively navigating a crucial offseason with high hopes of building on their strong 2023 season finish. General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Matt Eberflus are entering their third year, facing elevated expectations.

Following an eventful free agency period featuring key acquisitions such as wide receiver Keenan Allen, running back D'Andre Swift, safety Kevin Byard, and tight end Gerald Everett, the Bears are now turning their attention to the 2024 NFL draft. Despite having only four draft picks, each of these selections falls within the top four rounds, which includes two top-10 picks, one being the number one overall.

At Bears Wire, we've been thoroughly analyzing each position as the draft approaches. Our final focus is on the special teams, a unit that's been intact for three years.

**Current Special Teams Roster**:

- **Cairo Santos**, Place Kicker: Santos achieved a 92.1% success rate on field goals in 2023, hitting a personal best with 7 out of 8 attempts from over 50 yards. His consistent performance earned him a $500,000 bonus and the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November. Last season, he contributed a total of 136 points, ranking fifth among NFL kickers.

- **Trenton Gill**, Punter: Gill experienced a mild sophomore slump but still managed an improvement in his punt average. His standout performance against the Cardinals featured an average of 52 yards per punt, including a career-long of 76 yards.

- **Patrick Scales**, Long Snapper: A veteran since 2015 and the longest-tenured Bear, Scales has not missed a game in seven years, showing reliable performance which likely secures his return on a new one-year contract.

**Offseason Changes**:

No significant departures occurred this offseason on special teams, as both Santos and Scales were re-signed, maintaining the core group for another season.

**Positional Need**: Low

The Bears see no urgent needs within their special teams, thanks to the stability provided by Santos, Gill, and Scales. While improvements can always be explored, particularly at punter, the current trio has proven effective.

**Top Special Teams Draft Prospects**:

- **Punter Tory Taylor**: From Iowa, Taylor is a standout in his role, benefiting from numerous opportunities to hone his skills due to Iowa's limited offense.

- **Kickers in the Draft**: Noteworthy are Alabama's Will Reichard, Arkansas' Cam Little, Missouri's Harrison Mevis, and Stanford's Joshua Karty, each bringing strong credentials into the draft.

As the draft nears, we will continue providing detailed evaluations of potential picks across all positions, ensuring the Bears are well-prepared to enhance their roster strategically.

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