Revisiting the Bears 2025 Draft: 5th Round – Pick 169

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Zah Frazier #DB09 of UTSA participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We all know it takes more than a single season to accurately assess the success of any draft class. Our own Josh Sunderbruch does a phenomenal job of explaining why this is and looking back at a more reasonable benchmark. But that doesn't mean we can't take a moment to look back and see how the early returns are looking and if any selection would have been better spent elsewhere. What better class to assess than one of the more impactful ones we have seen in Chicago for some time? In this series, I will go through each pick in each round and assign what I believe to be the best pick, worst pick and players that could have been selected instead.

Round 5 - Pick 169Zah Frazier, CB

Anytime your team drafts a 6'3" corner who runs a 4.3 forty and notched 6 INTs and 8 PBUs the season prior, you are likely to be excited as a fan. Especially in the 5th round. Considering Frazier is already 25 after being drafted as a 24 year old and is the same age as Tyrique Stevenson despite not playing a single down a the professional level, it's fair to have a healthy dose of skepticism with the pick. However, after seeing what Bears' Defensive Backs coach Al Harris did with Nahshon Wright this season and knowing the team only has the aforementioned Tyrique Stevenson and 27 year old Terell Smith (coming off IR) returning as outside corners opposite Jaylon Johnson, both entering contract season, perhaps Frazier is primed to step up after all.

But does that make this a good pick? A bit too early to tell. However, if Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson, Dennis Allen and most importantly Al Harris signed off on this kid, who am I to disagree? Regardless of why he was unavailable his entire rookie year, this is a kid who fits the mold of what this defense wants and will have every chance to earn himself a roster spot and hefty payday much like first-time Pro-Bowler Nahshon Wright did this season. As for other options, I was a big fan of Ollie Gordon II, but RB is not as much of a need as boundary corner in my opinion, so I am fine with how this pick played out and can't wait to see this kid hit the field.

Other Potential Options:

Ollie Gordon II, RB, 6'2", 225lb - Miami Dolphins pick 179

• 1 start, 199 rush yards and 3 TD, 32 receiving yards on 7 receptions and additional TD

JJ Pegues, DT, 6'2", 325lb - Las Vegas Raiders pick 180

• 0 starts, 11 tackles, 0 sacks, 1 TFL and 0 QBH

Devin Neal, RB, 5'11", 213lb - New Orleans Saints pick 184

• 3 starts, 206 rush yards and 2 TD, 104 receiving yards on 17 receptions

Tyler Loop, K, 5'11", 191lb - Baltimore Ravens pick 186

• 17 starts, 30/34 FG (88.2%) and 44/46 XP (95.7%)

What about you? Would you be good with Zah being the pick at 169 despite not seeing the field?

Revisiting the #Bears 2025 draft class now with pick 169 overall. Which player would you have preferred for #DaBears?

- Bears Over Bry (@BryanOrenchuk) February 18, 2026