The Chicago Bears began their 2025 NFL Draft by selecting three offensive players. But with the No. 62 overall pick, the Bears decided it was finally time to address the defense. After all, Chicago did finish their 2024 campaign ranked 27th in total defense, allowing 354.3 yards per game.
Written on the Bears’ draft card was Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner. Chicago swung a trade with the Buffalo Bills earlier in the draft that moved them back from No. 41 but up from No. 72. Now back in the second round, the Bears made sure they found a defensive spark in the form of Turner.
The defensive tackle is coming to Chicago with plenty of energy. New head coach Ben Johnson is looking for playmakers all over the gridiron, including defense. Turner’s first message to Bears fans shows he is looking to pack an immediate punch, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.
“Literally just go, go, bro. That’s all I’m thinking about, as soon as I touch the field, all I do is go. I’ve been having that mentality since a kid,” Turner said. “I don’t know what it is. I honestly don’t know. It’s just a fire inside me. Kill. Take their lunch money … Offensive linemen really ain’t worth nothing, bro. They really can’t block me.”
Shemar Turner is a ball of energy and plays like it. His mentality when he steps on the field?
Turner: "Literally just go, go, bro. That's all I'm thinking about, as soon as I touch the field, all I do is go. I've been having that mentality since a kid. I don't know what it is.…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 26, 2025
What Shemar Turner offers Chicago Bears
Turner is officially listed as a defensive tackle. However, he proved to be a versatile threat over his four years at Texas A&M. He is one of only five players to play 200+ snaps at all five defensive line positions in that span, via Cronin.
Shemar Turner is about as versatile as they come. He’s 1 of only 5 FBS players with 200+ snaps at all 5 possible DL positions over the last 4 years (right/left DE, right/left DT and nose tackle).
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 26, 2025
Turner appeared in 43 total games during his time with the Aggies, racking up 115 tackles, 24 for a loss and 10 sacks. He broke out in 2023, putting up career-highs in TFLs (11) and sacks (six) while earning Second-team All-SEC honors.
His senior season saw the defensive lineman set a new career-high in tackles with 36, although his TFLs (six) and sacks (two) dropped. However, it’s important to note that Turner was playing through a shin fracture the entire season. Had he not been injured, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune opined that the defensive lineman might have been a first-round pick.
#Bears looked at value and grades when selecting WR Luther Burden and same can be said for DT Shemar Turner. He played through a stress fracture in his shin all last season at Texas A&M. If healthy, very well could have been a 1st round pick.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 26, 2025
The Bears must feel confident in Turner’s health status to use a second-round pick on him. Now, they must find where he fits best on the line. He has explosive traits across the board, but Turner will need refinement to make a true impact at the NFL level.
Still, he received a comparison to Pro Bowl Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
“Three-year starter with “tweener” measurables but excellent musculation and lean mass. Turner plays with unlimited activity and a heavy dose of violence. He has a quick first step and an explosive punch. He’s capable of holding the point against single blocks or working the gaps with foot quickness,” Zierlein wrote.
“His pressure rate is hurt by a lack of length but he’s a restless rusher who hunts blockers’ edges and will eventually leak through if the play extends. His athleticism and chase quickness will see him in or near the pile with some frequency as a future starter.”
New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen gets help
Chicago already has Montez Sweat on the roster and they signed Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency. But after finishing with a middle-of-the-pack 40 sacks in 2024, the Bears wanted to add some extra firepower to their defensive front. Especially with the level of offenses they’re competing with in the NFC North.
Turner will need to prove himself to carve out a full-time role as a rookie. But the Bears are certainly high on him and think Turner’s versatility and athleticism will play well in the Windy City.
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