The Chicago Bears are once again without a first-round draft pick this year (due to the Khalil Mack trade). But they do have two second-round picks this year, which also happen to be Chicago’s only picks in the first four rounds.
Simply put, general manager Ryan Pace needs to make those two second rounders count. And with no shortage of needs on both offense and defense — ranging from tight end to offensive line to defensive back — Pace needs to capitalize on these selections.
When it comes to second-round selections for the Bears, recent history has been kinder to Chicago than the first round, so there’s that. Let’s take a look at the Bears’ five best second-round draft picks since 2000.
5. James Daniels, OL
2018 NFL Draft, No. 39 overall
While the Bears offensive line collectively had its share of struggles last season, center/guard James Daniels has the potential to grow into a solid player for Chicago. He had a solid rookie campaign, where he held his own against one of the game’s best when he fended off Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald in a primetime game in Chicago in 2018.
Daniels was drafted to be Chicago’s center, and he got his chance in his sophomore season when he and Cody Whitehair switched back to their natural positions. The transition didn’t last long, as the pair went back to the positions they occupied in 2018 following Daniels’ struggles.
Daniels continues to be a developmental project, but he’s shown that, if he continues to develop, he can be a pillar on the Bears’ offensive line for the foreseeable future. Bringing in Juan Castillo as the team’s new offensive line coach should be instrumental in Daniels’ growth.
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