Round 2, 39th overall pick: Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia
In 2021, the Bears took offensive tackle Teven Jenkins with the 39th pick. Four years later, Chicago finds themselves drafting at the same position.
At the guard position, the Georgia Bulldogs has a pair of prospects high on the rankings. Both Tate Ratledge and Dylan Fairchild are expected to come off the board early.
Thus, with the 39th overall selection, look for Chicago to name one of these two if available. Just like Simmons, the Bears should favor the package of speed and size, making Fairchild the optimal pick here.
His time on the 40-yard dash was .20 better than Ratledge. The Bulldogs had a solid year in 2024 as they were in title contention almost the entire season.
Fairchild being added, alongside Simmons, gives the Bears a much bigger and faster change to their front line. If first-year head coach Johnson is going to develop Williams into the franchise quarterback many believe he can be, then quarterback protection is a must.
Round 2, 41st overall pick: Jihad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Chicago added a versatile linebacker in free agency last year in Tremaine Edmunds. With multiple years of playoff experience during his time with the Buffalo Bills, he helped make the defense better.
Adding another linebacker here can further strengthen a Bears defense that allowed 21.8 points per game in addition to giving up the 6th most yards on defense (354.3).
Staying with another SEC athlete, Chicago takes linebacker Jihad Campbell with the 41st overall pick. Ranked as the second-best at this position by NFL Draft Buzz, the 6'3'' and 275 pound freshman has tremendous upside and potential.
His time for the 40-yard dash was 4.52 seconds. In 2024, Campbell recorded 119 total tackles, five sacks and forced a pair of fumbles. Edmunds and the rest of the Bears' locker room would welcome a rookie of this caliber to the locker room.