Had Ryan Poles not made the decision to trade for Chase Claypool last fall, the Chicago Bears would be leading off Friday night’s Round 2 with the 32nd overall pick in the draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are instead scheduled to get the honors and the Bears will have to wait until picks 53, 61 and 64 to resume adding prospects to their team — barring any trades, of course.
The Bears strengthened their offensive line with the addition of Darnell Wright with the 10th pick of Thursday night’s first round, but still have a lot of holes to fill.
Here are 15 players who could be around when the Bears are on the clock tonight. For full scouting reports and analysis, check out our CHGO Bears 100 database!
DL Keeanu Benton — Wisconsin
Hoge’s Notes: Versatile interior defensive lineman who can fit multiple schemes. Absolutely dominated Senior Bowl practices. Will dominate the run while also providing impactful pass rush ability. Average athlete, but plays with a high motor and can change direction. Possible comp: Chris Jones.
EDGE — BJ Ojulari
Hoge’s Notes: Slightly undersized with average arm length, Ojulari makes up for it with a relentless motor and polished pass rush moves. Effort stands out constantly and results in pressures even when he doesn’t get the sacks. Coaches love him and he’d be a great culture fit for the Bears. Dealt with a knee injury in 2021 and couldn’t do Combine drills because of a hamstring issue. Might be penciled in as a 3-4 EDGE guy, but he has the versatility and will to play in any scheme.
CB Darius Rush — South Carolina
Hoge’s Notes: Very intriguing combination of speed and length. Covers with great route recognition. Looks like a former WR (because he was one). Flags were never a problem. Wears a size 15 shoe! Voted practice player of the week (among CBs) at Senior Bowl. Great character and coaches love him. Late-bloomer who didn’t take off until he was moved to CB in 2021. Might be a better fit in man than zone.
EDGE Derick Hall — Auburn
Will and Nick’s notes: Explosive and strong combo: can get off the snap and get after QBs – but also known for his strength where he can set the edge and defend the run -> and he knows how to tap into leverage to turn his speed and explosiveness into true power. People raved about his violent hands during the Senior Bowl week. Needs to work on his rush plan and develop more counter moves. Is he best suited as a standup OLB more than a hand in the dirt DE?
WR Tyler Scott — Cincinnati
Hoge’s Notes: Smaller receiver, but has very good speed and separation. Changes gear easily. Deep ball catcher, which would be very intriguing with Justin Fields. Tracks the ball downfield very well. Durable and a great gunner on punt. Physicality and blocking need work. Didn’t play WR in high school and is still ascending at the position.
EDGE Isaiah Foskey — Notre Dame
Hoge’s Notes: Good production with 24.5 TFL and 22 sacks in 25 total games the last two years (broke Justin Tuck’s ND sack record with 26.5 total). 7 career forced fumbles. Team captain. Embodies the HITS principle with his relentlessness. Good size and strength with room to add more. Needs to be better against the run. Pass rush moves need polishing. Struggled against Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones in 2022. 3 career blocked punts. Lost to Bryce Young (Mater Dei) in the 2018 California state championship game. Father was in the Navy and a police officer.
EDGE Keion White — Georgia Tech
Will and Nick’s notes: Edge guy who can be hand in dirt OR standup rusher. Plus – can bounce inside and collapse the pocket from the interior and pressure QBs., Another red hot motor guy. Stronger than he looks. Can walk OL back with leg power and strength. Still learning the position and a little bit raw – like Dominique Robinson, and the Bears should weigh that as he may need time to season.
WR Cedric Tillman — Tennesee
Carm’s notes: Started six games (37-417-11.3, three TDs) because of a left ankle injury that required surgery. He opted out of Vols bowl game. Not a burner … physical.
IDL Adetomiwa Adebawore — Northwestern
Hoge’s Notes: One of the most fascinating prospects ever. Tape and production at Northwestern were just average, but Adebawore tested better than any 3-technique in the history of the NFL Combine. A few months ago, some NFL teams had undraftable grades on him — now he looks like a lock for the second round. Adebawore’s elite explosiveness makes him a perfect NFL 3-tech, but he needs to be coached up on technique and hand-usage. Still, flashes on tape make you drool. Against Ohio State, he drew a hold on the first play and registered a pressure against a triple-team. Given his work ethic, coachability and academic prowess, there’s no reason to think Adebawore won’t keep getting better at the next level.
CB Clark Phillips III — Utah
Hoge’s Notes: Lacks ideal speed and length, but he makes up for it with his instincts, twitch and closing speed. Team captain who puts in constant preparation. Ball skills and production are very impressive with four pick-6s.
TE Sam LaPorta — Iowa
Moreano’s Film Notes: Sam LaPorta had his highest-graded game against Minnesota last season (91.3 grade), according to PFF. LaPorta had four receptions for 95 yards. First play of the game was a well-designed tight slip screen to the middle of the field. LaPorta took that pass for 58 yards. Iowa lined him out wide several times throughout the game, including on a third-and-6 that he converted on a slant route. LaPorta adjusted to a low ball by the quarterback on that play. He did a good job blocking in this game as well, sealing on the edge and make a block on a linebacker at the second level. He did tear his meniscus in this game and played a snap after the injury, making a block. Only played the first half, but did return four weeks later to play in Music City Bowl.
IOL Joe Tippman — Wisconsin
Hoge’s Notes: Two-year starter at center at Wisconsin. Moves extremely well, getting to the second-level with ease. Can pull with no problem. Not a ton of outside-zone experience, but should be fine at center in the Bears’ scheme. Much better athlete than John Michael Schmitz, which gives him versatility to potentially play guard. Slightly longer arms than JMS, but much bigger hands at 10 3/4 inches.
CB Kelee Ringo — Georgia
Hoge’s Notes: Big and fast with outstanding hands. Plenty of ball production that gets you excited. Questionable instincts and awareness that might always be an issue, but the highlights are there.
WR Jonathan Mingo — Mississippi
Hoge’s Notes: Not a twitchy receiver, but has good long speed and will win downfield. Big catch radius with near-40-inch vertical and will make spectacular one-handed catches. More drops (13) than TDs (12). There’s some Allen Robinson in his game.
EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu — USC
Hoge’s Notes: Fun, relentless player that uses his instincts to find the football. Motor always runs hot, which led to a 22 TFL/13.5 sack season in 2022. Fits the HITS principle, but might not be an ideal 4-3 DE. Cousin is 49ers’ Talanoa Hufanga (and he plays like him). Didn’t test at Combine or Pro Day because of right hamstring injury.
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