The Chicago Bears clearly had offense on their minds during the early rounds of the 2025 draft. With the Bears' offensive struggles overshadowing their defensive needs in recent years, the decision wasn't exactly shocking. Chicago has been hungry for an offensive spark, and General Manager Ryan Poles made moves to ignite that flame by selecting tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden, and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo with the team’s first three picks.
But let’s not forget about the other side of the ball—come the latter stages of the 2nd round, it was time for Chicago to bolster their defense and provide some new tools for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. That's when the Bears executed a savvy trade to nab defensive lineman Shemar Turner. Known for his aggressive play and relentless style, Turner aims to inject fresh energy into the defensive front.
The defensive refocus didn't stop there. Heading into the 4th round, the Bears zeroed in on speed—something Allen values highly.
Enter Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite, who dazzled scouts with a blistering 4.39-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, all while tipping the scales at 240 pounds. Allen's enthusiasm for Hyppolite was evident, as captured in behind-the-scenes footage from 1920 Football Drive.
Allen's affinity for fleet-footed linebackers is no secret—just take a look at his history. In 2011, he had D.J.
Williams clocking in at 4.45 on the stopwatch and delivering five sacks and 90 tackles in just 13 games under Allen’s guidance. Then there's DeMario Davis and Alex Anzalone, both with near-4.5 speed, making waves in New Orleans, alongside Kwon Alexander who shook up the field with his 4.55 speed.
The road to NFL success for a 4th-round pick isn't a straight line, though. Statistics aren’t always in their favor when it comes to longevity in the league.
Hyppolite’s best bet? Carving out a niche on special teams initially.
But don’t underestimate Allen’s tactical acumen—he knows how to leverage Hyppolite’s raw speed to challenge and outpace opponents. Speed is a game-changer in today’s NFL, and with the kind of velocity Hyppolite brings, his potential for stirring up trouble is undeniable.
