The playmakers keep coming for the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft. Shortly after their selection of running back Roschon Johnson, the Bears added a weapon for quarterback Justin Fields when they drafted Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott with the No. 133 pick.
Scott has top-end speed as a receiver and can take the top off a defense while also having the ability to be a dynamic playmaker when the ball is in his hands. He caught 54 passes for 899 receiving yards and five touchdowns during his final season with the Bearcats and gives Fields a new weapon to work with in a revamped wide receiver room.
Here are a few things to know about Scott and what he brings to the Bears.
1. Scott was a steal on Day 3
Analyzing the NFL Draft ahead of time can be tricky as surprises happen all over the place. One of the bigger ones was seeing Scott fall all the way to the end of the fourth round. He was considered a lock to be selected in the second or third round by many different analysts, but was passed over for players like Jayden Reed, Jonathan Mingo, and Tre Tucker. The fact the Bears were able to land Scott where they did surprised many people and it could be one of the better picks in recent memory if he pans out.
2. His pro comparison is T.Y. Hilton
While head coach Matt Eberflus was the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts, he had a front-row seat to wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. That makes sense when you figure the Bears just drafted a player who reminds many scouts of the former Pro Bowl receiver. According his to NFL.com’s draft profile, “Scott is a similar player in body type, speed, and versatility” when compared to Hilton. If Scott is half the player Hilton was with the Colts, the Bears will be jumping for joy for making this pick.
3. Scott was a Junior Olympics sprinter
At this point, it’s known that Scott has impressive speed. But did you know he has Olympic-level speed? He was a Junior Olympian when he was growing up and began running as early as preschool. Scott qualified for the Junior Olympics when he was eight or nine years old and competed in the 400-meter run where he finished fourth, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
Tyler Scott was a Junior Olympian whose track background began when he was 5-6 years old. His father was a track coach (shot put, discus). He qualified for the Junior Olympics at 8 or 9 years old and was 4th in the nation in the 400M dash, his 'money race.'
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 29, 2023
Scott is so fast, in fact, he was clocked at a blistering 4.29 when running the 40-yard dash at Cincinnati, according to 670 The Score’s Chris Emma. Though his official 40-yard time at the NFL Combine was slightly slower at 4.44, you can’t teach that kind of speed.
New Bears wide receiver Tyler Scott was a Junior Olympics sprinter who boasts top-flight speed. The Cincinnati program says he was once clocked at 4.29 on the 40.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 29, 2023
4. He can be valuable on special teams
Offense may not be the only place Scott makes an impact. He may be utilized on special teams as well. As CHGO’s Nicholas Moreano points out, Scott played over 200 snaps on special teams over the course of 2021 and 2022. He notched six tackles as a gunner and could be someone the Bears turn to on punt and kickoff coverage units.
Another aspects that stands out about Tyler Scott is his ability to contribute on special teams. He was a gunner on special teams. Scott had over 200 snaps and six tackles over the past two seasons.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) April 29, 2023
