The Chicago Bears traded down twice in the second round on Friday night at the NFL Draft, but they finally ended up making a selection as they picked offensive guard Cody Whitehair out of Kansas State.
Whitehair, who was originally projected as a late first round pick, will provide instant competition on the Bears’ offensive line, with rumors swirling that the team could be looking to move players like Matt Slauson in a trade.
Whitehair could also conceviably be in play for the left tackle spot, although his game is better suited for the guard position.
The Bears did make their third round pick without making any trades, selecting defensive end Jon Bullard out of the University of Florida. Bullard, who was projected as a second-to-third round player, had six and a half sacks and 63 tackles for the Gators during his final season in Gainesville.
The Bears originally held the 10th pick of the second round on Friday, but they sent it to the Buffalo Bills in a deal that sent the 49th overall pick and two fourth round picks back to Chicago. The Bills ultimately used that pick on Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland.
The Bears then made another trade with the 49th pick, sending it to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the 56th pick and another fourth round pick. The Seahawks used the pick to select nose tackle Jarran Reed out of the University of Alabama.
Several players the Bears could have potentially taken with the pick were swiped off the board before their selection came up. Kevin Dodd, defensive end from Clemson, was selected by the Tennessee Titans, and Hunter Henry, tight end from Arkansas, was scooped up by the San Diego Chargers early in the second round.
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A pair of injured, high ceiling linebackers also went off the board quickly, as the Dallas Cowboys snagged Jaylon Smith out of Notre Dame and the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to draft Myles Jack out of UCLA.
