Kicking things off in our Bears’ top draft prospects series is SMU’s Rashee Rice, who could upgrade Chicago’s receivers room.
After finishing the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, the Chicago Bears have the No.1 pick in the NFL draft, in addition to seven other selections. Also, Chicago will likely take advantage of the opportunity to trade back, accumulating more picks in this year’s draft.
Over the next few weeks, we’re counting down our top 15 draft prospects for the Bears with scouting reports for each, the team’s need for their position, and the likelihood the Bears draft them.
Kicking things off at No. 15 is SMU’s Rashee Rice, a wide receiver likely to get drafted in the first two rounds. A physical athlete with the ability to become a WR1, Rice could upgrade the Bears’ receiver room.
Bears GM Ryan Pace has managed to find some late-round gems in the NFL Draft, which is what he’ll hope to achieve again on Day 3.
The Chicago Bears added two first-round talents in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson. But general manager Ryan Pace’s work is far from done.
There were no shortage of roster needs heading into this draft — and the Bears had just two picks in the first four rounds. So Pace and his team are going to need to work some magic in these later rounds.
For what it’s worth, Pace has managed to find some late-round gems in the NFL Draft, which is what fans will be looking for him to achieve on Day 3, given the Bears have five selections between rounds 5-7.
Let’s take a look at five positions that the Bears should consider addressing on Day 3 of the draft:
1. Safety
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The Bears are in search of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s replacement to line up opposite Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson, who is moving back to free safety in 2020. The Bears opted to forgo a safety in the second — with some of the top prospects still on the board — which suggests that they’re confident in what they’ve got in Deon Bush and Jordan Lucas, who will battle for the starting strong safety spot opposite Jackson.
But they should definitely make an effort to bring in a young player to compete for that strong safety job. Some prospects still on the board for the Bears heading into Day 3 include Iowa’s Geno Stone, Maryland’s Antoine Brooks Jr., Alabama’s Shyheim Carter and Michigan’s Josh Metellus.
Here are 5 wide receivers that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that Chicago should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone better for the Chicago Bears, who heading into Day 2 armed with a pair of second-rounders has plenty of first-round talent still on the board.
There were six receivers taken in the first round, which makes sense given the depth of the class. Heading into Round 2, there are still some great receiver prospects on the board, including some that could be explosive weapons for whichever quarterback lines up under center for Chicago in 2020.
Here are five wide receivers that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that the Bears should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.
1. Tee Higgins, Clemson
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Tee Higgins is arguably the best receiver prospect still left on the board, and some had him pegged as a potential late first-round selection. While his lackluster performance and injury history are part of the reason why he slid, his upside isn’t to be ignored. Higgins is a big target that could be utilized in the red zone, which is certainly an area the Bears need to correct heading into next season.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Higgins has a “long, angular frame with cheat-code body control and ball skills when attacking downfield. Higgins is leggy getting off of the press, but those same leggy strides are weapons of separation that help create big plays. He’s played all three receiver spots and can be moved around to match up against cornerbacks. His size and “above the rim” talent make him a uniquely dangerous playmaker deep and in the red zone. The transition to NFL press corners will be an early challenge that could take some time to solve, but he’s an instinctive ball-winner whose traits should win out and make him a very good NFL starter.”
Here are five cornerbacks that are still on the board heading into Day 2 the Bears should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone better for the Chicago Bears, who heading into Day 2 armed with a pair of second-rounders has plenty of first-round talent still on the board.
Heading into Round 2, there is still some first-round talent at cornerback in this deep draft class. The Bears have a starting right cornerback spot up for grabs opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller, and they could certainly find his running mate in this NFL Draft. Depending on how the chips fall, perhaps a first-round talent lands in Chicago’s lap at pick 43.
Here are five cornerbacks that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that Chicago should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.
1. Trevon Diggs, Alabama
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Diggs is easily the best cornerback prospect available heading into Day 2 — a first-round talent with the kind of instincts and ball skills that would make him a stud opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller in Chicago’s secondary. The only problem is Diggs might not last 10 picks before the Bears get their first crack in the second round. But on the off chance he does fall to pick 43, Chicago shouldn’t waste any time selecting him.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Diggs is a “talented prospect with rare combination of size, strength and ball skills. As a former receiver, Diggs has an instinctive feel for his opponent’s plans and uses his size and athleticism to disrupt the blueprint when possible. The foot agility and short-area burst are good for his size and helped keep completion totals low. He’s inconsistent staying in phase with downfield routes and long speed is his kryptonite, causing grabbing and holding when panic sets in. He’s a future starting press-man corner with the hands and ball tracking to take it away and should benefit from more help over the top as a pro. Future consideration at free safety is possible considering his size and skill set.”
Here are 5 offensive linemen that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that the Bears should target at pick 43 or 50.
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone better for the Chicago Bears, who heading into Day 2 armed with a pair of second-rounders has plenty of first-round talent still on the board.
Heading into Round 2, there is plenty of offensive line talent still available, both at guard and tackle. Luckily for the Bears, who have a right guard spot up for grabs, some of the top offensive guard talent is still available. While six offensive tackles were taken in Round 1, there are also some solid tackle prospects available, should Chicago want to build for the future.
Here are five offensive linemen that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that Chicago should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.
1. OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
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Arguably the best offensive tackle still on the board is Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland, a first-round talent with left tackle traits that should be the focus of teams with offensive line needs, like the Bears. While Cleveland likely won’t fall 10 spots to the Bears at No. 43, Chicago shouldn’t hesitate to grab him if he does.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Cleveland is an “athletic left tackle able to make all outside zone blocks in the run game, but in dire need of additional mass and functional strength. Tape work can be tricky as Cleveland suffered a turf toe injury in his second game of the 2019 season and was unable to practice for much of the year. Issues anchoring and redirecting edge pressure are independent from his injury, but determining the impact of that injury on his play is challenging. He plays with patience and technique but lacks base width and contact balance. Cleveland has the athleticism to play swing tackle for a zone-based offense but needs to get much stronger to hold up as a starter.”
If the Bears decide to stay put with picks 43 and 50, there are some opportunities for them to address some important roster needs.
The Chicago Bears were without a first-round selection for the second straight year — a result of the Khalil Mack trade with the Las Vegas Raiders — but there will be plenty of first-round talent available for them when the second round kicks off.
Chicago has no shortage of roster needs heading into this draft — and not a whole lot of draft capital to work with. The Bears have just two picks in the first four rounds, so it’s possible that they try to trade back to accumulate additional picks. And given the talent still left on the board, there figures to be some teams willing to move up.
But if the Bears decide to stay put with picks 43 and 50 — especially given the crop of prospects still available — there are some opportunities for them to address some important roster needs.
Let’s take a look at five positions that the Bears should consider addressing with their pair of second rounders:
1. Offensive line
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One of the biggest issues with the Bears’ abysmal offense a season ago was the offensive line, who returned five starters off a solid 2018 season. While most of the offensive line will remain intact in 2020 — with left tackle Charles Leno Jr., left guard James Daniels, center Cody Whitehair and right tackle Bobby Massie — the Bears have a starting right guard spot up for grabs following Kyle Long’s retirement.
Heading into Round 2, there has been only one interior offensive lineman taken — Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz. Which leaves players like Louisiana-Lafayette’s Robert Hunt, LSU’s Damien Lewis and Ohio State’s Jonah Jackson for the taking for Chicago on Day 2. While six offensive tackles were taken in the first round, Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland and Houston’s Josh Jones highlight some first-round prospects that have fallen to Day 2.
Here are five safeties that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that Chicago should target, if they fall to them at pick 43.
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone better for the Chicago Bears, who heading into Day 2 armed with a pair of second-rounders has plenty of first-round talent still on the board.
Heading into Round 2, there are a wealth of safety prospects — including some first-round talent — available. And considering the Bears are looking for safety Eddie Jackson’s running mate at strong safety, Chicago would do well to consider these players.
Here are five safeties that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that Chicago should target, if they fall to them at pick 43.
1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama
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It’s hard to believe that, after Round 1, arguably the best safety prospect is still on the board heading into Day 2. While the Bears should lock him up in an instant, there’s a good chance he doesn’t fall 10 spots to Chicago at No. 43. But on the off chance he does, Xavier McKinney would bring athleticism, instincts and versatility to the safety position opposite Eddie Jackson.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, McKinney is an “ascending safety prospect offering a combination of plus athleticism, field awareness and versatility. McKinney split time equally at slot, free safety and in the box and is accomplished in each. His coverage instincts, athleticism and quick-twitch burst are more cornerback than safety, which is why he’s likely to be a coveted toy for teams looking to upgrade and diversify their sub-packages. He can sit in center field all day if needed, and he’s an adequate open-field tackler but has room for improvement in that area. McKinney represents the new breed of versatile, matchup safety with high upside as an early starter.”
We’re bringing you our Chicago Bears Draft Primer, where we’ve collected all of our 2020 NFL Draft coverage.
The 2020 NFL Draft is here, and we’ll soon meet the newest group of Chicago Bears.
While the Bears don’t have a first-round selection, they do have seven picks — including a pair of second rounders — where general manager Ryan Pace will be looking to bring some more talent to this roster.
Ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, we’re bringing you our Bears Draft Primer, where we’ve collected all of our 2020 NFL Draft coverage — from prospects that have met with the Bears to prospects that Chicago should consider to Pace’s draft history and everything in between.
The Bears have shown interest in underrated cornerback prospect Reggie Robinson II, who could replace Prince Amukamara in the secondary.
With two starting spots up for grabs in the secondary, the Chicago Bears are expected to address both cornerback and safety needs in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Bears have done plenty of homework on both positions in this draft class. And they’ve shown interest in one underrated cornerback prospect. Chicago recently met with Tulsa cornerback Reggie Robinson II, who is projected to be a Day 3 pick, via Facetime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.
In his four-year career at Tulsa, Robinson tallied 132 total tackles, including 4 for loss, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions.
The size, length and ball production offer up hope, but Robinson’s lack of speed and athletic traits could prevent him from maintaining playmaking positioning as a pro. He has average instincts, but his length can be a disruptive factor in close quarters. If he can crank up his run-support intensity, he might get looks as a zone corner or a safety.
Robinson is an experienced cornerback prospect — having played in 45 games, including 32 starts — and he has the ball skills, size and speed that should make him a great value pick for whoever drafts him.
Maybe that’ll be the Bears, who have a starting right cornerback spot up for grabs opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. What better player to replace Prince Amukamara than the prospect whose NFL comparison is the former Bear?
There isn’t a TE many believe is worthy of being drafted in the first 2 rounds. But if there were, the consensus is it would be Cole Kmet.
The Chicago Bears have been linked to tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft since the process began. And that was long before the release of Trey Burton and the acquisition of Jimmy Graham.
Still, many have the Bears pegged for a tight end in this draft, especially after the release of Burton. And while the Bears should definitely consider bringing a tight end in, there’s no one in this tight end class worth using a second-round pick on.
But, if there were one, the consensus is that it would be Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, who is arguably the most NFL ready prospect in a weak tight end class.
Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet did not make it to Halas Hall before everything got shut down, but he has talked to the #Bears over Zoom. The Lake Barrington native was a big fan of Greg Olsen when he was with the Bears. You'll hear from Kmet today on The Hoge & Jahns Podcast.
Long bodied, early entry Y tight end prospect who is a better pass threat than run blocker at this stage. Kmet should continue to fill out his frame, but his run blocking is too scattered and needs better focus and efficiency as a pro. He can be jammed and slowed by early contact into his route, but once he’s striding, he becomes a legitimate second-level threat with sneaky separation speed and intriguing ball skills. He’s still developing and could be a slow starter headed into the league, but he has the talent to eventually become a solid starter as a pass-catching in-line tight end with the ability to mismatch from the slot with his size.
Kmet is widely considered the best prospect at his position in a weak class of tight ends. In 2019, Kmet had 43 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns, but he projects to be better in the pros.
Kmet can be a weapon in the passing game and in-line as a blocker for a team desperate for production at the tight end position. He’d figure to replace the disappointing Adam Shaheen, who is reportedly on the trade block.
