Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
What's the likelihood that the Bears trade back from picks 39 or 48 in the draft?
Patrick T.
Lockport, Illinois
New Bears general manager Ryan Poles no doubt will keep all of his options in the draft, and he has mentioned that he'd like to add more picks if possible. At the recent NFL owners meetings, Poles told reporters that acquiring a second second-round pick from the Chargers in the Khalil Mack trade "allows us to maneuver a little bit. We don't have a ton of picks, so if there is a way to create more, we'll be open to that." With that being said, Poles obviously won't trade down unless he feels the deal benefits the Bears, so I'd say it's only a possibility and not a probability. The Bears enter the draft with six picks. In addition to their two second-rounders, they have one in the third, two in the fifth and one in the sixth. Interestingly, two mock drafts I included in a recent compilation have the Bears trading down in the second round. ESPN's Todd McShay has them moving down 10 spots from No. 48 with the Falcons in exchange for a third-round choice (No. 82) and taking South Alabama receiver Jalen Tolbert at No. 58. Pro Football Network's Oliver Hodgkinson predicts that the Bears will trade down four spots from No. 39 with the Falcons in exchange for a third-round choice (No. 74) and select Georgia receiver George Pickens at No. 43.
Are the Bears minicamps or OTA practices open to the public this offseason?
Calvin P.
Chicago
No, as has always been the case, offseason practices and conditioning workouts are not open to the public. But the Bears plan to open training camp practices free to fans at Halas Hall for the second straight year. More information, including a schedule of dates and times of the practices, will be released later in the spring.
With the Bears holding two second-round picks in this year's draft, I'm wondering how successful they've been with second-round picks in the past.
Jason F.
Muscatine, Iowa
Here are the Bears' second-round picks over the last 10 drafts:
2021: Tackle Teven Jenkins (39)
2020: Tight end Cole Kmet (43)
2020: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (50)
2018: Guard James Daniels (39)
2017: Tight end Adam Shaheen (45)
2016: Guard/center Cody Whitehair (56)
2015: Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (39)
2014: Defensive tackle Ego Ferguson (51)
2013: Linebacker Jonathan Bostic (50)
2012: Receiver Alshon Jeffery (45)
As far as the best second-round choices in Bears history, that list is highlighted by Hall of Fame middle linebackers Bill George (1951) and Mike Singletary (1981) and record-breaking return specialist Devin Hester (2006). Other notables include fullback Rick Casares (1954), safety Richie Petitbon (1959), cornerback Bennie McRae (1962), defensive end Mike Hartenstine (1975), fullback Matt Suhey (1980), safety Mike Brown (2000), cornerback Charles Tillman (2003) and running back Matt Forte (2008).
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
