With the NFL offseason in full swing, attention has shifted to free agency and the upcoming 020 NFL Draft, where teams like the Bears will be looking to plug some needs on their roster.
The Bears hold the 43rd and 50th picks in the second round of the NFL Draft, as they got the Raiders’ second-round pick (No. 43) in the Khalil Mack trade.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter released a three-round mock draft, where he had the Bears addressing the offensive line and linebacker with their two second-round selections.
With the 43rd pick, Reuter has the Bears selecting LSU offensive guard Damien Lewis, who has been regarded as a top-150 prospect, boosted his draft stock following the Senior Bowl. With the Bears looking to fill their right guard vacancy with Kyle Long’s retirement, Lewis could be a potential plug-and-play guard.
Then, with the 50th selection, Reuter has Chicago picking Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who’s highly active and a tackling machine. With three inside linebackers pending free agents — and Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwiatkoski likely to be re-signed — the Bears need depth at linebacker opposite Roquan Smith.
Barring any trades, the Bears will have eight picks in this year’s draft, but only two in the top 50 and three in the top 150. Chicago’s selections include a projected fourth-round compensatory pick for safety Adrian Amos, as well as a conditional pick from the Eagles for running back Jordan Howard, which projects to be a sixth rounder.
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