The Chicago Bears have made some additions to their secondary in free agency, but there is still work that must be done. Find out why the Bears should consider drafting defensive back Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina.
Dennis Allen’s defense will feature two new safeties from a season ago.
NFL interception leader Kevin Byard signed with the New England, and Jaquan Brisker left in free agency to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One of the safety spots was filled after Coby Bryant signed his three-year, $40 million contract, but a spot remains. General manager Ryan Poles did sign Cam Lewis to a two-year, $6 million contract and re-signed Elijah Hicks on a one-year deal, but those moves could be viewed as more depth pieces in the secondary.
If that’s the case, then the 2026 NFL Draft could be where Poles provides Allen with his starting safety to play alongside Bryant. The Bears have four picks in the top 100: 1 (25), 2 (57, 60) and 3 (89).
For this scenario, the Bears will utilize their 89th pick in the third round to select defensive back Jalon Kilgore.
Snapshot:
School: South Carolina
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 210 pounds
Projected Draft Range: Round 2 or 3
Stats (Pro Football Focus) (TD = Allowed)
- 2025: 44 Tackles, 65 targets, 34 receptions, 390 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 9 PBUs
- 2024: 42 Tackles, 57 targets, 38 receptions, 573 yards, 3 TDs, 5 INTs, 5 PBUs
- 2023: 60 Tackles, 50 targets, 31 receptions, 434 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 4 PBUs
Scouting Report
Strengths:
Kilgore brings versatility to a defense. Throughout his three seasons at South Carolina, he has played snaps all over the Gamecocks’ defense: slot (1,382), box (541), free safety (238), defensive line (53) and corner (24).
He has the movement skills to stay with bigger receivers and running backs out of the backfield, but also has the physicality to play in coverage against tight ends.
Against Ole Miss in Week 10, Kilgore shows good patience on this pass intended for the running back on fourth-and-4. The South Carolina defensive back flips his hips and uses his 32 ⅞” arms to get himself a pass breakup.
In the same game, Kilgore shows even when he is beat on a rep, he can recover and make a play for his teammates. On this rep, the wide receiver does a nice job of opening up Kilgore's hips and creating separation, but Kilgore closes the distance with an effective wheel turns and contests the pass.
Even watching the All-22 (Coaches film), Kilgore is constantly communicating with members on the defense. When playing that big nickel position, clear communication is key.
Weaknesses:
Although Kilgore played a majority of his snaps in the slot at South Carolina, he role would likely change in the NFL. Shifty slot receivers can get him out of position, and this rep against Texas A&M is just one example.
Kilgore also needs to clean up his tackling. According to Pro Football Focus, Kilgore missed 24 total tackles, leading to a 11.0 missed tackle rate. If he is going to be asked to play in the box or as a split-field safety, reliable tackling will be a priority.
Bears Fit
Kilgore projects as a big nickel/safety in the pros. That versatility would allow Allen to deploy him in a variety of ways alongside Bryant at the back end of the Bears' defense.
In Lance Zierlein's write up on Kilgore for NFL.com, he brought up a good point about NFL teams utilizing more tight ends. Kilgore has the skillset to challenge tights ends while also having the necessary speed and movement ability to play against 11 personnel.
If he's still available when the Bears are on the clock with the No. 89 overall pick, Poles would have opportunity to add another playmaker for Chicago's defense.