On Monday, the Chicago Bears posted a graphic on their social media platforms with the caption, “We love our second rounders.” The post featured players the organization has drafted in the second round, like Charles Tillman, Devin Hester, and Jaylon Johnson.
We love our second rounders pic.twitter.com/55hnLIImHu
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 15, 2025
The Bears have had success finding quality players in the second round of the draft. Of the Bears’ 25 selections in the second round since 2000, 8 have been voted to the Pro Bowl, 4 of the players have more than one Pro Bowl selection, 3 have earned first-team All-Pro status, 1 has earned Offensive Rookie of the Year and 1 is in the Hall of Fame.
- 2000 Mike Brown (DB) – 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
- 2001 Anthony Thomas (RB) – AP Off ROY
- 2003 Charles Tillman (CB) – 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year
- 2006 Devin Hester (KR/WR) – Hall of Fame, 4x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro
- 2008 Matt Forte (RB) – 2x Pro Bowler
- 2012 Alshon Jeffery (WR) – 1x Pro Bowl
- 2016 Cody Whitehair (OL) – 1x Pro Bowl
- 2020 Jaylon Johnson (CB) – 2x Pro Bowl
That’s a quality group of players who have gone on to have long careers in the NFL. However, only one of those eight players was on the offensive or defensive line, with Cody Whitehair. The Bears have two picks in the second round in the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 39 and 41). If Ryan Poles looks to upgrade the offensive or defensive line early on Day 2, he needs to find playmakers who will be building blocks for this team.
The Bears have drafted nine players in the trenches since 2000, and the most recent was Gervon Dexter Sr. Whitehair and Eddie Goldman are the only players among those selections to earn a second contract with the Bears.
- 2023 Dexter (DL)
- 2021 Teven Jenkins (G)
- 2018 James Daniels (C/G)
- 2016 Whitehair (C/G)
- 2015 Eddie Goldman (DT)
- 2014 Ego Ferguson (DT)
- 2011 Stephen Paea (DT)
- 2007 Dan Bazuin (DE)
- 2004 Tank Johnson (DT)
That group of players included some all-time misses. Bazuin was selected No. 62 overall out of Central Michigan. He never played a down in the NFL due to knee injuries. Ferguson played just two seasons in the NFL. After Goldman signed his contract extension in 2018, he has played in just three seasons.
Poles must establish more success when evaluating and selecting linemen in the second round than his predecessors, if that is what the team decides to do on April 25. Dexter could be the start of establishing a better track record, but more swings in the draft will give Poles a higher likelihood of finding potential difference-makers.
The 2025 NFL Draft provides plenty of opportunity. With this draft class not being as top-heavy with blue-chip talent, there should be a cluster of players within the Bears’ range who should provide an impact in 2025.
Using the top 100 in The Athletic’s “The Beast” by Dane Brugler, there are options like Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams (No. 40, DT), JT Tuimoloau (No. 43, EDGE) and Donovan Jackson (No. 48, OT). Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is ranked No. 36, and Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery finished one spot later. Texas A&M's Shemar Turner (No. 56, DT) and Nic Scourton (No. 59, EDGE) also would be strong candidates to strengthen the defensive line.
Maybe a few years down the line, when the Bears update their social media graphic with the caption, “We love our second rounders,” it will include players from the 2025 Draft Class. More specifically, players who helped build the trenches.