The Chicago Bears are once again without a first-round draft pick this year (due to the Khalil Mack trade). But they do have two second-round picks this year, which also happen to be Chicago’s only picks in the first four rounds.
Simply put, general manager Ryan Pace needs to make those two second rounders count. And with no shortage of needs on both offense and defense — ranging from tight end to offensive line to defensive back — Pace needs to capitalize on these selections.
When it comes to second-round selections for the Bears, recent history has been kinder to Chicago than the first round, so there’s that. Let’s take a look at the Bears’ five best second-round draft picks since 2000.
5. James Daniels, OL
2018 NFL Draft, No. 39 overall
While the Bears offensive line collectively had its share of struggles last season, center/guard James Daniels has the potential to grow into a solid player for Chicago. He had a solid rookie campaign, where he held his own against one of the game’s best when he fended off Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald in a primetime game in Chicago in 2018.
Daniels was drafted to be Chicago’s center, and he got his chance in his sophomore season when he and Cody Whitehair switched back to their natural positions. The transition didn’t last long, as the pair went back to the positions they occupied in 2018 following Daniels’ struggles.
Daniels continues to be a developmental project, but he’s shown that, if he continues to develop, he can be a pillar on the Bears’ offensive line for the foreseeable future. Bringing in Juan Castillo as the team’s new offensive line coach should be instrumental in Daniels’ growth.
4. Anthony Miller, WR
2018 NFL Draft, No. 51 overall
While receiver Anthony Miller has only been on the Bears for a short time, he’s flashed his potential to be a downfield threat for Chicago’s receiving corp. opposite Allen Robinson. During his rookie season, he led the Bears with seven touchdowns. While it took Miller some time to get on track his sophomore season, he had a five-game stretch of 33 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns between Weeks 11-15.
The concern with Miller is his injury history. In his first two seasons, Miller has injured his left shoulder. While Miller was able to play through it, ultimately he’s had surgery on that left shoulder for the last two offseasons and it’s hampered his development in the offseason.
3. Cody Whitehair, OL
2016 NFL Draft, No. 56 overall
Considering injuries ultimately marred the career of former first-round pick Kyle Long, a clean injury slate isn’t something to take for granted. Which is a good thing for Cody Whitehair, who hasn’t a missed a game in the four seasons he’s played with the Bears. While Whitehair has played most of his Bears career at center, he’s shown versatility across the offensive line, where he’s also played at both left and right guard.
Despite the Bears’ offensive line struggles in 2019, Whitehair remains one of the NFL’s best young offensive linemen. Whitehair garnered a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and was also named to the 2016 All-Rookie team. Whitehair’s play has earned him something that’s not a guarantee for Ryan Pace draft picks — a second contract.
2. Eddie Goldman, NT
2015 NFL Draft, No. 39 overall
Nose tackle Eddie Goldman is one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL. And Goldman has proven to be one of Pace’s better draft picks over the years. Goldman does the dirty work in the trenches and doesn’t necessarily get the attention.
In five years with the Bears, Goldman has amassed 102 tackles, 12.5 sacks, one safety and one pass defensed. His presence on the Bears defensive line has proved to be invaluable, and it’s why it was an easy decision for Pace to re-sign Goldman to a second contract — a four-year deal worth $42 million with $25 million guaranteed.
1. Alshon Jeffery, WR
2012 NFL Draft, No. 45 overall
For a place once deemed the place where “receivers go to die” by former Bear Muhsin Muhammad, Chicago has had some great ones over the last decade. The Bears drafted receiver Alshon Jeffery in 2012, and he thrived alongside Brandon Marshall in Chicago’s offense.
In just his second season, Jeffery recorded his first 1,000-yard season — a career-best 1,421 receiving yards — and earned his lone Pro Bowl nod in 2013. Jeffery followed that up with a second 1,000-yard season in 2014, where he also added 10 touchdowns. In four of his five seasons in Chicago, Jeffery had at least 800 receiving yards.
While Jeffery ultimately wanted out of Chicago — running to sign with the Eagles in 2017 — when he was with the Bears, he was one of their best offensive weapons. Since leaving the Bears, Jeffery hasn’t achieved the 1,000-yard receiving mark again.
