As opposed to most Ducks flying south for the winter, this one flew west from the Bronx (by way of the University of Rhode Island), joining Oregon in 2023 as one of the more celebrated blockers in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder had no trouble with the jump in competition, earning Honorable Mention All-PAC-12 honors last year, allowing just a single sack and providing plenty of punch in the running game.
Jared Verse was the headliner of the Seminoles' defensive front last season, but Payton was impossible to ignore opposite him on tape. The toolsy edge rusher is still trying to put it all together, but his game slowly began to click last season, when he had 7 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and 39 pressures. Chicago added Austin Booker on Day 3, but it could still use someone like Payton to line up opposite Montez Sweat.
Starting guard Teven Jenkins is a free agent after next season, and the Bears' other starting guard, Nate Davis, will face free agency the following offseason. Booker (6-5, 335) is a road grader who first cracked the starting lineup for the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl as a true freshman and followed that up with a stellar sophomore season in Tuscaloosa.
Every time Walker rushes the passer, it feels like the field is tilted, which allows him to charge downhill and run through road blocks using his 6-6, 350-pound frame. Throw on the tape from the bowl game against Clemson and watch him work.
The Bears' offense is set for the future after the team selected Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Fifth-round pick Austin Booker is an intriguing developmental edge defender, but Chicago should still look to add more talent opposite Montez Sweat. Sawyer is an extremely well-rounded player as the only FBS edge to have earned 85.0-plus grades as a pass rusher and a run defender in 2023.
Benjamin Morrison is a four-star cornerback with elite speed (4.39 expected 40-yard dash). Morrison has been a two-year starter at Notre Dame, and his game has only improved with more experience. He might not have the size (6-foot) of some of the other top cornerbacks in the draft, but his athleticism is off the charts.
The former No. 1 overall recruit has the traits to rocket into the early portion of the first round, but the middle of the first round seems like the right spot until he puts everything together. Bears coach Matt Eberflus might grow impatient and want more from his interior rush than what 2023 draft picks Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens can provide.
