Bears general manager Ryan Poles is being more aggressive than ever in highlighting exactly the kind of player that fits the Bears in the NFL Draft. If they don’t, he said, they’re off his draft list.
In the moments after the first round ended Thursday night, Poles looked at those remaining players and thought, for a moment, that Friday’s crop looked thin. He reminded himself, though, that these things tend to work out.
“It feels really thin, but that’s a good thing,” Poles said. “I think it’s a really good things because we’re really selective of who we want. Now, there’s some historical numbers that I have that makes me feel confident that there’s gonna be guys that we like still available to us. Thankfully the numbers are high enough where I’ll be able to sleep a little bit [Thursday] night.”
Here are players at the Bears’ positions of need — edge rusher, defensive tackle, offensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver — that could be available Friday when the Bears pick at No. 57 and 60 in Round 2:
Edge rusher
Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Missouri’s Zion Young highlight the best remaining defensive ends. They all have their flaws — Parker had five sacks last year and Howell has short arms — but that’s easier to overlook on Day 2 and 3 of the draft. Other edge rushers who will be picked Friday include Oklahoma’s R. Mason Thomas and Illinois’ Gabe Jacas.
Defensive tackle
Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is only 21 and probably the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in the draft. Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter can stop the run but is a more skilled pass-rusher than McDonald. NFL Network ranks McDonald No.33 and Hunter No. 41. Georgia’s Christen Miller and Missouri’s Chris McClellan are other candidates to be picked.
Offensive tackle
The Bears could find their next starting left tackle just down Green Bay Road, where Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan toiled his whole college career. At 6-7, 323 pounds, he’s got a similar build to that of Ozzy Trapilo, who is expected to miss most — if not all — the season with a patellar tendon injury.
Mulleted Iowa redhead Gennings Dunker, who can play all five spots on the line, is available, too.
Cornerback
If the Bears want to find someone to challenge Tyrique Stevenson for the starting job, cornerback is the deepest position left on the board. NFL Network top-100 cornerbacks still available include the Tennessee duo of Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy, South Carolina’s duo of Brandon Cisse and Jalon Kilgore, Clemson’s Avieon Terell, Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds, Miami’s Keionte Scott, Georgia’s Daylen Everette, Washington’s Tacario Davis, Arkansas’ Julian Neal, Arizona State’s Keith Abney II and Florida’s Devin Moore.
Wide receiver
The Bears can improve upon Kalif Raymond as their third wide receiver. Washington’s Denzel Boston, Clemson’s Antonio Williams and Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields are atop the list of best remaining wideouts.
