CHICAGO -- Punters aren't usually selected in the NFL draft, let alone as high as the fourth round. Last week, the Chicago Bears used the 122nd pick in the draft on Iowa's Tory Taylor, who became the fourth punter to be drafted in the fourth round since 2012.
The Bears had more pressing needs elsewhere -- particularly with their pass rush -- but chose to draft the reigning Ray Guy Award recipient, the distinction given to the nation's best college punter.
Appearing on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Wednesday, Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he did not expect Taylor to be available much later in the draft, noting he did not think the punter would have been an option when the team traded with Buffalo to get back into the draft at No. 144 in the fifth round.
"The thought process there is to make anyone we're playing really uncomfortable," Poles said. "I didn't play much in the NFL, but I know running onto the field and having the ball spotted inside the 10-yard line is a very uncomfortable feeling. It's disheartening at times.
"And I love taking advantage of field position. And, really, that should help us with points as well. So, I think it's going to add to our team and make it uncomfortable and difficult for any team we're going against."
Taylor set the NCAA record with 4,479 yards on 93 punts, which broke the total yardage mark that had stood for 85 years. His 44.3 net yards per punt in 2023 ranked third in FBS while his career average of 46.3 yards per punt go down in NCAA history as the most by a punter with more than 250 punts.
He is replacing current Trenton Gill, who finished the 2023 season last in net average (38 yards) and was released Wednesday.
