2018 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears bolster O-line in Round 2 with James Daniels

The Chicago Bears invested in their offensive line by selecting James Daniels in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

If nothing else, the Chicago Bears have made it abundantly clear that this offseason is all about helping Mitch Trubisky develop into a star. And their second-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft just furthers that mantra.

General manager Ryan Pace rode a run on interior offensive linemen and took center James Daniels with the 39th-overall pick.

With several offensive linemen, including Will Hernandez and Braden Smith, going early in the second round, Pace took a shot to grab one of his own to bolster the interior of the Bears’ line.

And doing so has a few interesting ramifications for the Chicago Bears throughout the rest of this draft.

First of all, taking Daniels signals that Cody Whitehair may be about to bump back to guard when this offense takes the field in the summer. Of course, they could ask Daniels to slide over, too. But Whitehair’s versatility and experience make him a more logical candidate to move this season.

Plus, Daniels is a natural center with great intelligence, developing strength and a nasty streak you love in the run game. He’ll fit right in between Whitehair and Long.

More from Da Windy City

• Juan Soto appears headed to the Yankees which is not a big blow Chicago Cubs offseason
• 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
• Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
• The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
• Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates

Also, the Bears decided that it was more important to grab Daniels than to trade back and acquire more picks, specifically moving back in the second round in order to nab a third-round pick that they currently don’t have. As such, unless the Bears trade a player as well as one of their fourth-rounders, they’ll be done for Day 2.

However, the Chicago Bears clearly don’t mind this as long as they get the players they want. And Daniels fits that bill.

More picks are obviously great, but remember: “quality” will always be better than “quantity”. If Daniels is as good as the Bears hope, they’ll have a beastly offensive line that can simultaneously pound opponents in the run game and keep Trubisky upright.

Next: Bears pass on Landry?

All in all, James Daniels looks like a solid pick for the Chicago Bears. And the fact that they don’t have a third-round pick at the moment might not be a big deal if he’s a stud at center.