The Chicago Bears put together an exciting first two days of the NFL draft, turning two 2nd round picks into three with some trade maneuvering. All told, they secured a top tight end, a top wide receiver, a giant offensive tackle, and a violent defensive lineman. It was hard not to feel like the roster improved. Then at the beginning of day three, things got weird. A run on running backs to open the 4th round compelled the Bears to trade down from #109 to #132. Then, to the surprise of many, their eventual pick became Ruben Hyppolite.
While it was speculated the Bears might go for a linebacker at some point, they at least expected it to be one they knew. Hyppolite was a mystery. Some experts felt he was a likely undrafted free agent. Taking him in the 4th round felt like an egregious reach. Adam Hoge of CHGO wanted answers. He reached out to people inside the league, wondering if the Bears had gone rogue. In truth, there was far more sound reasoning behind the decision than many realize. Hyppolite had plenty of fans in NFL circles.
I knew nothing about Hyppolite when the Bears drafted him, but after watching some film and making a couple calls, I’m struggling to understand why he wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine. The 4.42 40-time at his Pro Day was huge for him, but his play speed is also evident all over his tape. He fires out of a cannon when he comes downhill, and Dennis Allen should be able to use his speed.
Ruben Hyppolite is not your normal combine snub.
Put it this way. There aren’t many 240-lb linebackers in the NFL who have 4.39 speed. The Maryland standout showcased that speed at his pro day, which aligned with what the Bears saw on tape. He covers a lot of ground in a hurry. His instincts also stand out, as he can sift through the muck to find the football. The core issue for most is his size at only 5’11. This makes it difficult for him to take on bigger offensive linemen when trying to reach ball carriers. Some argue that he played out of position in college. Most of his time was spent at middle linebacker, while his body type and speed make him a natural Will outside linebacker.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is no stranger to linebacker types like Ruben Hyppolite. His best defenses in New Orleans featured Kwon Alexander, another undersized player with legitimate speed. In 19 games under Allen, he gobbled up 77 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and an interception. If Hyppolite can handle the upcoming position switch, this could be a productive pick in the long term.
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