If Chicago Bears Trade Up In Round 2, It Will Be For One Of These Names

One of the persistent rumors going into the draft was that GM Ryan Poles hoped to close the gap between his first and second picks. It’s not hard to see why. After picking 10th on opening night, the Chicago Bears don’t pick again until 53rd. That is a long wait. One that threatens to see a lot of good players on their board go to other teams. This is why there is a distinct possibility the team will try to make a move up. They have the ammunition to do so. It seems they also have the intent.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said the Bears were one of the teams exploring the idea of moving into the bottom of the 1st round. Poles himself confirmed this, stating he’d called around. The asking prices were too high. Still, it is apparent there is at least somebody available the Bears want. The question is who. Here are five names that make the most sense.

These guys fit precisely what the Chicago Bears need.

Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

After enduring Sam Mustipher last year, the Bears have to consider a long-term option at center. Presuming they stick to their size, athleticism, and length parameters, Tippmann is the easy choice. He’s a 6’6 center with good power, plenty of range, and a finishing mentality. He is one of those rare types that can play in any scheme and would be an incredible size upgrade to a position that has been rather small in Chicago for several years.

John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

While not as big as Tippmann, Schmitz is arguably the best center in the draft. He’s technically polished, strong for his size, and has above-average athleticism. If you’re looking for a pure zone center, this is the guy, and nobody else is close. Chicago runs their wide-zone offense. It would fit Schmitz like a glove. The fact he grew up 40 minutes outside the city in Flossmoor doesn’t hurt his case either.

Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech

Having addressed the offensive line early, it makes sense the Chicago Bears would want to get their defensive line some help now. White was a breakout name last season, notching 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. He followed that with an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl, where he demonstrated his versatility to play inside and outside. That is something Matt Eberflus has always highly coveted.

Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin

Again. Size, length, and power. Those three traits are what Poles looks for in every lineman. Benton has all three. Most saw him as a stout run-stopper at defensive tackle going into 2022. However, he started flashing some interior pass rush potential with 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss. That carried over into the Senior Bowl, where he overwhelmed blockers on several occasions.

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

It is a genuine surprise the young cornerback fell out of the 1st round. He’s 6’2, boasts 34-inch arms, and runs with 4.46 speed. The guy is a physical specimen. It seems some teams are wary of his iffy change-of-direction skills, which would be a problem in zone coverages. Still, the guy is a bully and has plenty of room to grow. He’s the son of a Super Bowl champion and former Pro Bowler. His odds of NFL success remain high.