Day 1 of the NFL Draft is officially in the book as the Chicago Bears walked away with safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick. Thieneman was selected to be an immediate impact player, and the Bears hope they can find a couple more of those guys in Day 2.
Chicago is scheduled to pick three more times on Day 2, including two selections in the second round (Nos. 57, 60) and once in the third round (No. 89). With the safety position now secured, the Bears now shift their attention to other needs.
Again, Chicago will have to wait to see how the board falls, but for a team that now prioritizes defensive line, there will be options available for the Bears. Following Day 1, general manager Ryan Poles spoke to the media and weighed in on how he sees and feels the board going into Day 2.
“A lot of good options,” Poles said. “I’ll say this, this is probably the most aggressive we were in terms of guys that we really like. They have to play our style. They have to have the right makeup. In terms of our scheme fits, like all of that had to be there. If it wasn’t there, you’re off the board."
Because of the aggressiveness, Poles sees the board slimmer, but also said it’s a good thing.
“When you look at it, it feels really thin. But that’s a good thing. I think it’s a really good thing because we’re very selective of who we want,” he said. “Now there are some historical numbers that I have that make me feel confident that there’s going to be guys that we like still available to us.”
These options listed below gauge the options that fit the Bears, in scheme, playstyle and character.
Arguments could be made that Chicago should have gone defensive line with the No. 25 overall pick. And that could have been the case had Thieneman not become available for the Bears. But the number of players still available in Day 2, Chicago should have their pick to thicken up the trenches.
Christen Miller, Georgia: He brings power and strength, especially against the run. His heavy hands allow him to move back guards and center to collapse the pocket.
Gracen Halton, Oklahoma: A little undersized but with his slim frame and first-step quickness, Halton uses several moves to get past guards and has good pursuit of the ball carrier.
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech: Showing out at the Senior Bowl, and if Chicago wants a gap stuffer against the run, Hunter is that. With strong hands and a good point of attack, Hunter can collapse the pocket and get into the backfield.
Domonique Orange, Iowa State: Another run stopper, Orange flashed a quick first step, but is more effective in one-on-one situations.
Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss: At 6-foot-8 and with good length, Harris can line up in multiple spots, and when he builds momentum, the 330-pound defensive tackle is hard to stop. He can use his arm reach to get runs in the gap and can beat tackles with a combination of length and strength.
Other than Akheem Mesidor, every edge rusher Chicago had thought of wanting to draft was available, but with the best available mindset, the pick allowed them to shore up the back-end of the secondary. But Day 2 should prove to have options that fit the Bears' play-style of versatile players, both against the run and in the pass rush.
Gabe Jacas, Illinois: This seems to be the pick all Bears fans would be content with coming away with either at No. 57 or No. 60. Playing with good leverage and hand usage, Jacas can easily shed blocks from tackles and tight ends to set the edge against the run.
T.J. Parker, Clemson: Not a player I expect to be available to the Bears, but if he is, he could be the pick. Parker, with long arms, had 12.5 tackles in 2023. His long arm is his best pass-rush tool, and with development, he will acquire more moves.
Derrick Moore, Michigan: With 10 sacks to lead the Wolverines, Moore translates his speed to power well. He had a good bend and used the rip-downs to disengage from tackles. He has good closing speed in the run game and can drop back in coverage.
R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma: Thomas is fast, quick, and closes down for sacks and tackles. Despite being 6-foot-2, his relentlessness is something that will show up.
Defensive tackle and edge rusher are undoubtedly the Bears' main priorities, but with how Chicago operates, and who could be available, don’t count out a potential surprise. Here are some options:
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss: Bears had a top-30 visit with the Bears, and the 6-foot-2 receiver ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, and might just be the best blocking receiver in the draft.