After selecting Leonard Floyd in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, the Chicago Bears will have two more picks on Friday as the selection show makes its way through the second and third rounds.
The Bears have the 41st and 75th overall picks in the draft, and will be looking to continue to address a slew of positions where they have serious needs at.
So who could the Bears select on the draft’s second day? We have 10 players that the Bears could keep an eye on as their picks come up on the board.
Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback – Clemson
The trend in the NFL is to go toward big, athletic cornerbacks, but Alexander could buck that trend with the Bears. He’s elicited comparisons to Josh Norman, and he has the anticipation and excellent coverage skills that could really help out the Bears’ secondary.
Sean Davis, Cornerback – Maryland
If the Bears opt to go with a more versatile and physical player, then Davis could certainly fit that mold. He is an eye-popping hitter with experience at both safety and cornerback, and although his coverage skills aren’t the greatest, he makes up for it by forcing turnovers and taking down ball carriers in open space.
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Kevin Dodd, Defensive End – Clemson
Just about everyone thought that Shaq Lawson could be a potential fit for the Bears at number 11, but if the team decides they want to go with a defensive end in round two, then Dodd could be their guy. He’s lightning quick off the line of scrimmage, and he showed some great power off the snap in racking up 12 sacks this season. He has been criticized for his hand technique, but he’s a tireless worker and has been praised for his “high motor” in numerous draft previews.
Christian Hackenberg, Quarterback – Penn State
It seems highly unlikely that the Bears will be able to get Connor Cook in the second round, but if they decide that it’s time to get an heir apparent to Jay Cutler, then Hackenberg could be the guy. His draft stock took a serious dip this season, but there is a reason why he was one of the more highly touted collegiate quarterbacks going into the 2015 season. Putting him with Dowell Loggains and giving him a chance to learn behind Cutler could be just what the doctor ordered in terms of making him into a potential NFL player.
Derrick Henry, Running Back – Alabama
For fans disappointed that the Bears didn’t get a chance to draft Ezekiel Elliott, Henry could be a fascinating consolation prize. He could team up with Jeremy Langford to provide a bruising 1-2 punch out of the backfield next season, and even though there are concerns that the Heisman Trophy winner’s running style could lead to injuries, his physicality could be a welcome addition to the Bears’ offense.
Austin Johnson, Defensive Tackle – Penn State
While the Bears have emphasized speed and athleticism all over their defense, Johnson would provide more in the way of consistency and discipline. He’s a very smart player that is always gap savvy, and although he had some good numbers at the collegiate level, he may not get quite the same number of sacks at the NFL level.
Jarran Reed, Defensive Tackle – Alabama
A surprisingly athletic big man, Reed was targeted as a first round pick but has slipped out of the top 31 selections. If the Bears do opt for another tackle (it would mark the second year in a row they’ve taken a tackle with a high draft pick if they do), then an athletic, ferocious player like Reed could be right up their alley.
A’Shawn Robinson, Defensive Tackle – Alabama
Alabama has two incredible defensive tackles in this draft, and Robinson was a player that some mock drafts pegged as a target for the Bears in round one. He is a guy that has the tools to be successful, but has been criticized for taking plays off and showing poor technique at times. Seems like he would be an Ego Ferguson-type pick if the Bears are willing to roll the dice on him.
Noah Spence, Defensive End – Kentucky
Off-field concerns are something that Ryan Pace and company are going to take very seriously after the Ray McDonald fiasco, and Spence certainly comes with baggage. Banned from Ohio State after several instances of drug use, Spence has cleaned up his act, but will that past trump his impressive on-field production in his final collegiate season at Eastern Kentucky?
Jihad Ward, Defensive End – Illinois
It’s hard to peg where Ward will end up, but he could be a good fit for the Bears. He is a violent tackler and can play both tackle and end (and has room on his frame for more bulk to suit either position), and although he will take a bit of time to develop, he could easily be a versatile weapon if the Bears show some patience.
