The Bears have plenty of time left to make a splash.
With Picks 39, 41 and 72, the Bears are about to embark on what general manager Ryan Poles calls the main “runway” of the draft — a chance to draft starters.
“I feel really good about where the board is,” Poles said late Thursday night. “I think there’s some players up there that can make a pretty good impact for our football team. There’s also a group of guys that we have at the next group that’s really dependable, tough, fits everything we need that we believe can come in and help our football team — if that’s starting immediately or eventually being starters. We really like the numbers that are there right now.”
Here’s a look at the best 25 players remaining in the NFL draft, sorted by position of need:
Offensive tackle
Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery: He was the Big Ten’s lineman of the year last season.
Boston College’s Ozzy Trapilo: His dad blocked for Doug Flutie on BC’s famous Hail Mary.
Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea: A starter at tackle the last two years, he might profile more as a guard.
William & Mary’s Charles Grant: He started a whopping 42 college games.
Running back
Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson: He started for four years at OSU, though he split time with Judkins last year.
Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins: He scored three touchdowns in the national title game for the champions.
Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson: In his only year as the starter, he set Iowa records with 21 rushing touchdowns and 23 total touchdowns.
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo: He ran for 1,711 yards last year, a Sun Devils record, en route to a playoff berth.
Edge rusher
Marshall’s Mike Green: He led all college players with 17 sacks last season but has off-the-field concerns.
Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku: He finished in the top three in the nation in sacks and tackles for loss for Poles’ alma mater last year.
Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau: He started for three years at defensive end.
Defensive tackle
Texas A&M’s Shemar Turner: He put on 30 pounds to play inside last year.
Toledo’s Darius Alexander: ESPN ranks him the 29th best draft prospect in the entire draft.
Texas’ Alfred Collins: He’s played all 30 games for Texas over the past two seasons.
South Carolina’s TJ Sanders: He’s posted 16 ½ tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
Wide receiver
Missouri’s Luther Burden III: The East St. Louis High School alum has been first-team All-SEC the past two years.
Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins: He posted more than 2,000 receiving yards in the two seasons since he transferred from Eastern Kentucky.
Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel: He has the potential to be an elite returner and a good receiver.
Ole Miss’ Tre Harris: Despite missing five games last year, he still led the Rebels in receiving yards.
Safety
South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori: He was a first-team AP All-American last season.
Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr.: He started only two games last season before being lost for the year with a knee injury.
Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts: No one in college football had more interceptions than his six last season. He won the Nagurski Trophy the year before.
Cornerback
Michigan’s Will Johnson: He was mocked as a first-round pick but a knee issue has caused some concern for teams, per ESPN.
Ole Miss’ Trey Amos: No one at Ole Miss had more interceptions or passes broken up last season.
East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr.: A former Louisburg College player, he starred at ECU last season before tearing his left ACL.
