It was later than usual, but the Bears finalized contracts with all seven of their 2020 draft picks Tuesday. It was also the day rookies were required to report to Halas Hall to begin training camp.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a second-rounder from Utah, was the first to announce his signing, and the team had the rest of its draft class secured by mid-afternoon.
Johnson and Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet, also a second-round pick, are the headliners of a draft class that was limited by trades from previous years. Both are expected to compete for starting jobs when the rest of the team reports next week.
Those were the Bears’ highest selections, and they didn’t pick again until taking UTEP outside linebacker Trevis Gipson, Georgia Southern cornerback Kindle Vildor and Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the fifth round.
They closed the draft by choosing offensive linemen Arlington Hambright (Colorado) and Lachavious Simmons (Tennessee State) in the seventh.
The Bears also signed 11 undrafted free agents, including Khalil Mack’s younger brother Ledarius, in April.
