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The great thing about the NFL draft is that it doesn’t end after one round. While Chicago’s first pick will garner the most attention, Poles and Johnson will have several more opportunities to improve their team over the final two days of draft weekend.
Chicago currently holds the 39th and 41st overall picks and will have a chance to add a pair of impact players in Round 2. Top targets who might be available in that range include Georgia interior lineman Tate Ratledge, Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos and Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter.
Round 2 is probably a more realistic range for another running back, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson might be the perfect complement to Swift in Johnson’s various run concepts and blocking schemes.
“He is more adept and suited for gap/man scheme runs, where he can attack downhill and maneuver through congestion,” Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote of Johnson. “His functionality in the passing game makes him a good screen option to counter heavy-pressure defenses.”
If the Bears haven’t identified their third receiver before the draft, potential second-round targets like Texas’ Isaiah Bond, Texas’ Matthew Golden and Utah State’s Jalen Royals will probably be on their radar.
“Royals is a position-flexible receiver with long speed and dynamism desired in big-play weapons. Royals projects as a starting Z-receiver who can bump into the slot against favorable matchups,” Parson wrote of Royals.
Chicago doesn’t currently hold a fourth-round selection because of last year’s daft-day trade with the Buffalo Bills. The Bears are, however, set to have four Day-3 selections. They should already be doing their homework on potential sleeper prospects like Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills, Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler, Penn State offensive lineman Nick Dawkins and Alabama offensive tackle Carson Vinson.