The Chicago Bears are one of several teams without a first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. They’re also the only team in the league without a second round pick.
Pro Football Focus took a look at the teams that don’t pick until Day 2 — the Bears, the Cleveland Browns, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints — and presented some draft prospects for their liking.
While the popular pick seems to be running back, with the Bears trading Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles, there are multiple directions Chicago could go with pick No. 87.
They could go running back, with prospects like Damien Harris, David Montgomery, Miles Sanders and Devin Singletary, to complement a backfield with Tarik Cohen and newly acquired Mike Davis.
With the departure of Adrian Amos, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to pair with Eddie Jackson. But Clinton-Dix is on a one-year deal, so safety is certainly an option. Other positions that GM Ryan Pace will certainly look at include edge rusher and cornerback.
PFF cites the losses of Amos and Bryce Callahan as the reason for the Bears to add Iowa safety Amani Hooker in the third round:
The Chicago Bears gave up two first-round draft picks as a part of the deal that secured the signing of Khalil Mack, and while fans may lament not having a first-round selection this year, it’s barely to the team’s detriment, as they’re arguably one of the most complete teams in the NFL. They have, however, lost two defensive backs this offseason, so someone like Iowa’s Amani Hooker would be a perfect fit for them in Day 2, as Hooker’s versatility to play both safety and slot cornerback would go a long way in filling the hole that has been left by the departure of slot ace Bryce Callahan.
Hooker is the reigning Big 10 Defensive Back of the Year in 2018, finishing the season with 65 tackles, seven passes defensed, four picks, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack for the Hawkeyes.
He projects to fall to the third or fourth round of the draft. While Hooker isn’t an elite athlete, he doesn’t need to be on this Bears defense. He would be a good fit in this secondary to complement Jackson and Clinton-Dix, and his versatility when it comes to playing multiple positions is also something the Bears can’t overlook.
