Chicago Bears: Second-Round options Ryan Pace must consider

Pick No. 43

Offensive line is the position I would likely target first. The Bears need help at right guard the most, but an offensive tackle could make sense too as the team has struggled with Charles Leno and Bobby Massie. Some of the top offensive tackles and guards who could still be available include:

Lucas Niang has a very large frame at 6’7″ and 328 lbs. His size and arm length give him plenty of length to make quick contact out of his stance. Niang was highly recruited coming out of high school most likely for his size. He was an instant success at TCU his freshman season, playing in 12 of 13 games. His senior season was shortened by a torn hip labrum.

Niang is a solid pass blocker who has tenacity and strength in the run game. Some have him projected as a first-rounder, especially with some of the other tackles not declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft. His hip injury could lower his draft stock though and thus why he’s falling here into the second. If available, Niang could be the guy the Chicago Bears need to compete with Bobby Massie or Charles Leno.

Another option for the Chicago Bears at offensive tackle is Prince Tega Wanogho. Tega Wanogho is another big frame who has the potential to push Massie and Leno for playing time. Tega Wanogho is 6’7″ and 305lbs. Like Niang, he has a solid reach and is explosive out of his stance. His power at the point of attack might be his best trait.

He needs to work on his hand technique but that is something NFL coaching should easily be able to correct. Tega Wanogho has quick feet and solid balance. What sets him apart from many of the other tackles in the draft is his constant mauling of defenders. He has a toughness that does not stop. When you look at the Bears 2019 season, there are many players who took plays off. Tega Wanogho is not that type of player. He plays through the whistle and never quits.

If the Bears look to the guard position, Solomon Kindley is the guy I would target here in the second round. He is an interior presence who helped the Bulldogs excel at the run game. He stands 6’4″ and 336lbs. Kindley would bring back the aggressiveness that is lacking now that Kyle Long is gone. Kindley could stand to shed some pounds though. If he is able to drop to around 325lbs he would have even more ample size and speed for the NFL level.

The top option and who the Bears should probably draft at No. 43 because he might not drop to pick No. 50 is Cole Kmet. Kmet has ideal size for the NFL at 6’4″ and 235lbs. He lacks the speed to separate from quick linebackers or nickel corners, but he excels at settling down in zone coverages. His route running is superb and he understands when to sit down in coverage.

Kmet also has great hands, even on contested catches. What is undervalued with Kmet is his ability to block. He is not the most powerful but has sound technique. While playing at Notre Dame, he lined up in multiple places as both a blocker and a receiver. His abilities match up well with what Matt Nagy likes to do schematically and would be a great replacement for Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen.