Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Big OL trade, no. 1 pick lands a haul

In Round 3, the Bears go back to the defensive side of the ball with their first of two selections here. At pick no. 64, Chicago selects USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. Pairing Tuipulotu with Jalen Carter, the Bears get two dynamic, exciting, athletic defenders to build their front seven around.

Tuipulotu stands 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, but moves very well for his size. He’s explosive. He’s also very versatile. This is a guy you can put inside, if you really wanted to, or split out in a two-point stance at times, too. Tuipulotu finished last season with a whopping 21 tackles of loss, including 12.5 sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

He’s got a motor, and his presence will continue the shift within this unit.

This is where the Bears might get the steal of the draft. SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice has that true alpha mentality, although he isn’t looked at as a first-round prospect. The 6-foot-3 Rice could step in and develop into the Bears’ WR1 if things go as well as they could.

Rice has a big body and the athleticism to make those high-pointed catches, winning on 50/50 balls regularly. This would give the Bears their true outside threat to go with Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney. Finally, the Bears’ wide receiver room gets a big boost.