The Chicago Bears made big headlines in day one of the NFL draft on Thursday by selecting USC blue chip quarterback prospect Caleb Williams with their overall no. 1 pick. They also made headlines with the selection of Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with their second first-round pick (no. 9 overall).
The team is hoping that the one-two offensive tandem of Williams and Odunze will pay dividends for years to come.
The Bears’ third-round pick the following day may have flown under the radar, but it also provides the team with a piece to plug into the rebuilt Chicago offense.
With the no. 75 pick, the Bears drafted offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie from Yale, who just happens to be a local Chicago-area product, from the suburb of Hinsdale, and a lifelong Bears fan.
Chicago Bears Go Local For Third-Round Pick
“I can’t even put it into words,” Amegadjie told media. “I grew up a Bears fan, watching Devin Hester, playing Madden 08, 09…This is everything I’ve wanted since I was a little kid, so…I can’t even put it into words. This is amazing.”
A two-time All-Ivy League offensive lineman, Amegadjie suffered a partially torn left quad that required surgery in October and only appeared in four games. He says, however, that he’s all better and ready to get to business.
“I feel really good right now,” he asserted. “I’m ready to get to work. Obviously, it was pretty bad timing for the injury, but God works in mysterious ways and that was the path I had to take to get to where I am today, so, I’m not going to let it deter me from moving forward.”
Kiran Amegadjie: The Scouting Report
The scouting reports on the 6-foot-5, 323-pound lineman rave about his natural talent and raw physical tools. They do note, however, that he’s a work in progress. As someone who didn’t get into football until halfway through high school and whose last college season was abbreviated due to injury, he’s still developing in all areas but is projected to be an NFL starter when all is said and done.
Per Dane Brugler of The Athletic:
“From a size and athletic standpoint, Amegadjie pops on film, because of his rare length, light feet and smooth body control to mirror pass rushers or create momentum as a run blocker. Though he does a great job repositioning his hands and feet, his inexperience is also apparent when it comes to timing and adjustment fundamentals.
Overall, Amegadjie is a raw prospect who needs technical and strength work before he sees live NFL reps, but his physical ingredients and competitive drive are the foundational elements that pro coaches want to develop. He projects as a backup left tackle as a rookie who has all the tools to gradually develop into an NFL starter.”
Not lacking in confidence, the 22-year-old tells a story about a chance meeting with Bears head coach Matt Eberflus last year, where his bold declaration became prophetic.
“Last summer, I met Coach Eberflus at a golf club my dad belongs to and I introduced myself. He didn’t know who I was, obviously, and I told him one day I’d be sitting in his office and that next year they’d be looking to draft me. So, he reminded me of that on the phone today.”
The Future for The Bears and Amegadjie
Amegadjie, for his part, is willing to put in the hard work to become part of new generation Bears success alongside Caleb Williams.
“How could I not be happy? I’m so excited,” he told media. “Caleb [Williams] actually just texted me…I’m excited to get to work with all the guys.
“The years and years of work that got me to this point…My real dream is starting now. The real work is starting now. I get to stay home. I get to deal with the team I’ve loved since I was six years old…Honestly, I can’t even believe that it happened. I don’t know if this is real, if I’m dreaming.”
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