The Chicago Bears addressed a major need in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night, bolstering their offensive line by selecting Tennessee tackle Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall.
Wright was the second offensive lineman to come off the board after Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 6. He projects as an immediate starter at right tackle and will provide added support for Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Still, the Bears work in this draft has only just begun with general manager Ryan Poles holding nine more picks, including three for Friday night’s second and third rounds. The Bears will next go on the clock at No. 53 overall, with an additional Round 2 pick at No. 61. They will also pick first in Round 3 at No. 64.
The Bears still have major needs to fill on defense, specifically at defensive end and defensive tackle. They could also still stand to add talent and depth at cornerback and receiver. Here are 10 prospects that could be of interest to Poles on Friday.
Round 1 coverage
Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern defensive lineman
He’s an athletic, explosive possibility for the Bears’ hole at three-technique and can also play on the edge. Adebawore started 33 games in his final three seasons at Northwestern, totaling 23 1/2 tackles for a loss, 11 1/2 sacks, four forced fumbles and six passes defended in that span.
Keion White, Georgia Tech defensive end
He spent six years in college, playing two at Old Dominion before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he was third-team all-ACC in 2022 after totaling 14 tackles for a loss and 7 1/2 sacks. Analysts say development is needed, but see a high ceiling for White.
Josh Downs, North Carolina receiver
Downs, who turned heads of NFL coaches during the pre-draft process, may be the best receiver still on the board heading into Friday. A quick and slippery slot receiver, he had 94 catches, 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
B.J. Ojulari, LSU edge rusher
The Athletic analyst Dane Brugler’s sixth-ranked edge rusher, Ojulari had 25 tackles for a loss and 16 1/2 sacks over three seasons at LSU.
Tuli Tuipulotu, Southern Cal defensive lineman
Tuipulotu played on the edge in college but has the versatility to bump inside. He possesses impressive strength and body control, and could be a valuable addition to a Bears defensive front that needs difference-makers.
Jayden Reed, Michigan State wide receiver
If the Bears want to give Fields another playmaking pass-catcher, they could do worse than Reed, who is the complete package with his quickness, toughness, ability to separate and strength after the catch.
Tyrique Stevenson, Miami cornerback
While Stevenson may be ideally suited for a defense that relies heavily on man coverage, his size-speed-strength combination is eye-catching. At 6 feet and 198 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL combine and has the ability to be a headache for opposing receivers, particularly in press coverage.
Siaki Ika, Baylor defensive tackle
The Bears have a huge need for a 3-technique tackle and Ika is likely to play nose tackle at the next level. Still, he would bring an impressive combination of size and strength to the defensive front with an ability to free up linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.
Byron Young, Tennessee defensive end
Young had a fascinating journey to Tennessee that included more than a year out of football and a stint at Georgia Military College. He rose up to be a first-team All-SEC pick in 2022 with 12 tackles for a loss and seven sacks.
Cam Smith, South Carolina cornerback
Smith had six interceptions and 24 passes defended over his final three seasons with South Carolina. He has the ability to play inside and outside, which the Bears could value.