My Favorite Rookies for the Bears to Target

I’m probably an oddball here when saying I would rather go secondary in the second round than go receiver. Don’t get me wrong if we go offense I won’t bitch and moan about surrounding Justin Fields with weapons. I just really love the secondary options for Day 2 picks here and I think if a few certain receivers are gone by #39 then do not jump on a late second round talent receiver. Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to fill you in on some of my favorite offensive weapons too. You think I haven’t thought about some potential Fields connections? Of course I have. Every early March after watching very little college football I love exploring into future rookies that I know nothing about. Some will require moving up and going to get them unless we get lucky on a slip. Pick 39 is definitely good enough to use and jump into the late first round and grab some guys. So, here are some of my favorites.

Let's start with offense because I know you are all juiced up for pass catchers. These are my FAVORITES. Just because a guy you like isn’t on my list does not mean I don’t like him. These guys are just the ones I’d be ecstatic about.

Chris Olave, WR, OSU

It’s no secret why everyone is talking about Chris Olave and the Chicago Bears. If 2021 taught us anything it’s reunite your college receiver with your stud quarterback. Ja’Marr Chase got to reunite with Joe Burrow and they broke records together. Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith both reunited with their former collegiate quarterbacks and also had very impressive seasons as rookies. The two put up numbers in their two shortened seasons together. The 6 foot 1, 190 pound receiver hails from Ohio State and spent two seasons catching passes from Justin Fields. The game that stands out the most between the two is the Clemson playoff game. Fields threw two of his six touchdowns to Olave for 132 yards on only 6 receptions. He reminds a lot of scouts of Terry McLaurin. He breaks the press, can separate at all 3 levels, can sit and get open quickly. For any quarterback that sounds like a perfect guy to have. Especially one you already have connections with. The experts always have weaknesses that come with the players' strengths. Average hand strength to finish catch, which is lethal to an offense on 50/50 balls. After the Bears and Allen Robinson fell out we’ve craved a 50/50 guy on offense desperately. They also say he’s inconsistent when working back to the ball when needed on throws. That’s also been killer to the Bears in a sense this year. Fields had some errant throws this season for sure, but how many incompletions or interceptions did we say to ourselves “Kmet could’ve got to that ball”? Way too many and it wasn’t just Kmet either. It was damn near every Bears receiver outside of Darnell Mooney. In the end I think that Olave would still be a really solid fit again with Fields and I think they can really get back to where they left off in Chicago.

George Pickens, WR, UGA

The 6’3, 200 pound receiver out of Georgia has potential to slip to Chicago at #39. Also has potential to be a top 25 pick in the draft. No one really knows with this draft because of how faulty the quarterbacks are. There could be 2-3 quarterbacks taken within the first 11 picks, or we could potentially not see a quarterback until like 11 and maybe even further back. So I feel like depending on how quick the Quarterbacks go depends on where we might get a feel for players like Burks and Pickens. Pickens fought back hard to get healthy late in the season off of an ACL tear in the spring of 2021. He has quick speed to beat the press but has been occasionally ineffective against physical coverage. He rises to get the ball at the point and has amazing hand strength. Something Chicago has lacked. He’s always looking for the end zone as a receiver even with the balls in his hands. He was top 10 in the SEC in touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. He wasn’t able to show off his true talents in 2021 due to his injured season but I think he can show truly how good he is over his first few years in the league. I don’t believe he will be an instant breakout receiver but as the years go on I think he has stardom potential. Would not complain if he was strapping up in the navy and orange.

Kenyon Green, OG, Tex. A&M

If the Bears want Green I 100% believe they would need to jump up and grab him. Which I believe if he slips past The Cowboys or Bills at 24/25 you might as well make the jump. He has graded well across the board and draws Richie Incognito comparisons. He’s a big body at 6’4, 325 pounds. He’s got strong legs to hold his base firm against defensive tackles being pretty much impenetrable. Can recover quickly when beat and has quick reset hands to re-establish the block. He has struggled with holding in the past and the experts say he has to work on the pass protection instincts. Regardless just looking into Chicago’s situation they need to bolster up the OL. Poles is the perfect guy for that considering his help in completely turning around Kansas City’s offensive line in just one season. Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom are more than likely Chicago’s tackles moving into 2021 unless Poles believes Borom can make the switch to guard. I like James Daniels but Whitehair is past his peak and Mustipher just isn’t the guy for the job at center. A lot of picking and piecing together as a unit for the interior offensive lineman. So I think if Green is in range, go get your guy.

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa.

Another great player that I fully believe the Bears will need to jump up to grab but it’s not fully impossible. Mocks have him going as early as 14th overall but even as late as 31. He’s another guy that I say if he slips past 24/25 you make the call and you go get him. I love his talent. Experts say that he reminds them of Jason Kelce. He’s always in rhythm with hands, feet, and hips. Quick off the snap which always leads to a great win block percentage. Very explosive and fluid when climbing to the second level. He checks all the boxes to be that decade long interior offensive lineman for your team. He’s a little lean and only 290 pounds which is light for a center and a little worrisome. Bull rushers could dominate him with their size but he holds a good base. Chicago needs that interior filled with studs and I think Linderbaum can be that guy. It’s already been announced that the Bears have met with him so they’re interested at least. If he slips, go get him.

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Alright now let us get to the defense. Don’t be shocked if our defensive minded head coach, Matt Eberflus, is in the ear of Ryan Poles about a certain defensive player in the second round. I wouldn’t mind it honestly. It all depends on how we attack free agency in Chicago. If we go heavy offensively like some expect us to, then I’ll really want defense in round two. Let’s stop acting like we still have the 2018 Bears defense backing us up out there. The secondary is weak, the linebacker depth is abysmal, our defensive line is thin and old. It also needs work. Here’s some of my favorite defenders for Chicago to land.

Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn St.

Jaquan Brisker is a guy who stood out to me the second I laid my eyes on him in my research. Perfect NFL safety size with huge hands. Stands strong at 6’1 200 pounds and can play the size perfectly. He can handle post, box, and slot roles. Has a great sense of creating pass break ups and turnovers. Attacks outside blocker with quickness and drives through his tackles with power to the finish. A perfect guy for Eberflus’ system and style. He does have issues with staring down the QB and the experts say he gets caught a lot by climbing lineman when attacking the run. The thing is Eddie Jackson hasn’t been the same since the departure of Adrian Amos. I’m still confident that Eddie Jackson can get back to his greatness with the addition of a good safety and adding Brisker through the draft would be a great start. He’s projected mid to late second round so pick 39 could be a reach, but if he’s your guy who cares. If anything, trade back a little and gain some assets. Then you can still get your guy.

Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington.

Maybe the biggest wild card for draft placement here in the secondary. I’ve seen him go as early as 19th overall and as late as the late 40’s. If he’s available at pick 39 I would have to think that Eberflus would be breathing down his neck. An NFC team scout says that he thinks he’s a first round lock but needs some seasoning. I think the same but we have time for seasoning in Chicago and it’s no question we need help in that area. He’s got great defensive back size and strength at 6’0, 200 pounds. Really fast and athletic and has fluid body motion in coverage. Can handle both press and off coverage with great off ball blitz talent from the slot which Eberflus will love. Some of his weaknesses are technical and misses too many tackles after the catch which was a killer problem in Chicago the last few seasons. I like his talent though and I think he can be a really good piece opposite of Jaylon Johnson and a step forward in turning the secondary around.

Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida.

This is a pick is a stretch considering many mocks have him going late first round lock to the Chiefs. Bears can still move up, don't forget. He’s a lengthy corner at 6’2 with great feet and good instincts. Experts say you’ll rarely catch him falling for fakes. When being in a division with great route runners like Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen, that could come in handy. He also improved at tackling from his 2020 season. He’s quick and physical across the board, especially deep down the sidelines. He gets panicky and grabby when behind in a route and doesn’t use his size when defending the run. In other words he can get soft against the run which we can’t afford in Chicago. If he slips or we move up I’d love to have Elam in Chicago and I think it’d be a huge step in the right direction.

Devonte Wyatt, DT, UGA.

If Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks are truly on their way out of Chicago then Eberflus is gonna need beef up that middle. Jordan Davis, Wyatt’s teammate, who I also am obsessed with will probably be gone by the time Chicago picks. If not take Davis he’s an animal. Devonte Wyatt is still really good so don’t sweat it. His first swing will knock you on your ass, and can locate the ball carrier quickly. He can change direction quickly and plow through the initial blockers. On the rough side he tends to drop his helmet with initial contact and doesn’t have elite length to grab runners hitting the holes when initiated on a block. I would love for Davis to be our next Tommie Harris. Not the biggest DT in the league but very athletic. I think there’s a chance that Davis is available at 39. If so I wouldn’t be upset if we take him with our first selection and get our defensive trench fighters bolstered up for the new 4-3 that Eberflus is bringing to the windy city.

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Listen there’s plenty of players I want at 39, these are just my favorites and who I see as possible. I love Jordan Davis out of Georgia to be the next Deforest Buckner but I just don’t think there’s a truly possible scenario in which Chicago can get in position to draft him. Same with guys like Andrew Booth Jr. who I also love. It will be interesting to see how the draft plays out and as we get closer my mind could change. I’m just juiced to see the NFL offseason already in swing with the NFL Combine kicking off as I type this up. It’s going to be a fun one as a Bears fan.

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