Chicago Bears NFL Draft Target: Dean Clark

Maria Lysaker - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Tuesday, April 08 2025

You can never have too much depth on an NFL roster, as teams with the most depth tend to be the most successful. The Chicago Bears have been one of those teams looking to add depth, but for whatever reason, the depth they have added hasn't been the quality depth they had hoped for. With a new coach, Be,n Johnson, taking over in 2025, paired with a new staff eager to improve this roster from the top down, adding as much depth as possible remains the goal for this staff.

You started to see the Bears add not only talented players in free agency but also players they see as depth pieces, as this roster is already vastly improved compared to last season. That is only the start of what could still be to come, as the Bears will have seven picks in the upcoming NFL draft, four of which fall within the top 75.

Of those four picks, one is a top-10 selection, while the others fall in the 35-75 range, as any of these picks could emerge as starting options more so than depth pieces. You then have the later rounds of the NFL draft, where the Bears will have three additional selections, including two in the seventh round, to close things out.

This is where you would find the depth pieces for any team, which is where Fresno State safety Dean Clark could come into play. One of those players who not only played four seasons but also played six seasons due to injuries and other circumstances that maintained his eligibility, Clark is one of the older players in this year's class and is simply looking for an opportunity to prove his worth on a roster.

When considering his college career as a whole, there is a lot to like about Clark, but also some concerns, with injuries being the major concern. Take his junior season, for example, when he not only broke out but emerged as one of the best safeties in the nation. It was during that season when he logged 116 total tackles (78 solo) to become a significant part of the Bulldogs' defense.

One season later, Clark was injured after just one game and wound up earning not one but two extra years of eligibility, which he elected to exercise. In his two seasons since that injury, Clark has not only been a consistent force on the Bulldogs' defense but has also continued to prove his worth, as he is far more valuable than the current seventh-round grade he has been given.

After logging 83 tackles in 2023, Clark followed that up with 62 more in 2024 while also registering his only two career sacks. Clark also pulled down one of his four career interceptions, with the other three coming the previous season. Even if those numbers don't scream starter or even role player, his overall consistent production when he was on the field is something to note as he could become a great special teams player at the very worst.

Not only is Kevin Byard entering the final year of his deal, but Jaquon Brisker, who missed 12 games in 2024, has some health concerns. Brisker says he feels as healthy as ever, but until he can prove that on the field, the Bears would love to have an insurance policy not only for this season but for the future.

Clark isn't seen as a future piece for this team, but he is a productive player who could be worth a look on a flyer deal for a depth option. Clark is expected to develop more as a free safety at the next level and would have the opportunity to learn from two of the most talented players at the safety position. He would also have the opportunity to learn from Dennis Allen, who is known for maximizing the potential of his defense.

Buckle up, Bears fans; the NFL draft is right around the corner, and before you know it, the 2025 NFL season will be here.