Chicago Bears select Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner in second round of NFL Draft

LAKE FOREST – After addressing the offense with their first three selections of the NFL draft, the Bears turned their attention to bolstering the defensive line Friday night.

They selected Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner with the No. 62 overall pick.

“It kind of feels surreal,” Turner told reporters virtually Friday. “It’s just a dream. It’s something I’ve been dreaming about for most of my life.”

Turner brings a lot to the table for the Bears. He’s started 35 games over four seasons with the Aggies, splitting time at defensive edge and defensive tackle.

With plenty of talent on the Texas A&M defensive line, Turner moved at defensive tackle last season. He had 36 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, two sacks and pass breakup and forced fumble each.

But Turner also brings an edge with him. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds and a 33⅝-inch arm length, Turner played with a level of violence from the middle of the Texas A&M defensive line.

Turner showed that intensity when he spoke with reporters Friday. Anytime he goes on the field, he knows how to approach the line without crossing it.

“Honestly, just to kill,” Turner said. “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.”

With the selection, Bears general manager Ryan Poles continued his revamp of the defensive line. He signed defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett during free agency.

Turner will give the Bears another playmaker from the middle of the defense. Poles, new Bears coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen mentioned during the offseason how they want to attack in waves. Graham will play along Jarrett, Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens.

But the Bears could also use Turner’s experience off the edge to play at different points of the line.

“He’s show a lot of versatility,” Bears director of personnel Trey Koziol said. “The more you can do, the better.”

Turner was the third of three second-round picks Friday night. The Bears started the night by drafting Luther Burden III at No. 39.

Chicago originally had the No. 41 pick, too, but made a trade with the Bills. Chicago traded No. 41, 72 (third round) and 240 (seventh) to the Bills for 56 (second round), 62 (second round) and 109 (fourth round).

The Bears drafted Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo at No. 56.