(670 The Score) As the NFL Draft opened Thursday evening, the Bears were without a first-round pick for the second straight year, a result of their blockbuster trade for edge rusher Khalil Mack in 2018.
What they do have is a pair of selections in the second round Friday night -- at No. 43 and No. 50 overall. While the possibility looms that the Bears could trade one of those picks, there are intriguing prospects available who could give them an immediate boost or long-term stability.
Here are 15 prospects who could be in play for the Bears on Friday, with the list ranked by the prospects' talent and fit for Chicago from my perspective.
1.) Xavier McKinney, safety, Alabama
A safety with first-round grades from many analysts, McKinney surprisingly fell to the second day of the draft. The Bears would love to pair McKinney with another Crimson Tide safety in Eddie Jackson, but they'll need more good fortune on their side for him to fall to No. 43.
2.) Yetur Gross-Matos, edge rusher, Penn State
There's a saying in the NFL that you can never have enough pass rushers. While the Bears are set with Mack and Robert Quinn rushing off the edge, Gross-Matos might be too talented to pass up if he's still available at No. 43.
3.) Antoine Winfield, safety, Minnesota
There's a lot to like about Winfield, who posted 85 tackles and seven interception in 2019. He could be the ideal complement to Jackson at safety.
4.) Trevon Diggs, cornerback, Alabama
If the Bears drafted Diggs, they would be filling a void at cornerback for 2020 and years beyond. He has a proven track record at the SEC level and an NFL readiness that could attract the Bears.
5.) Cole Kmet, tight end, Notre Dame
The 33-year-old Jimmy Graham enters 2020 as the Bears' top tight end, but he's certainly not the long-term answer at the position. Kmet could be that player, and he could bring his childhood team a needed red-zone threat.
6.) Grant Delpit, safety, LSU
If the Bears covet a more natural strong safety to pair with Jackson, that player is Delpit, who was the Jim Thorpe Award winner in 2019 as the top defensive back in college and posted 65 tackles.
7.) Ezra Cleveland, tackle, Boise State
The run on offensive tackles in the first round didn't leave the Bears with any unexpected options for the second round. Cleveland is the best of the bunch left, a player who could be their swing tackle in 2020 and perhaps enter a competition for a starting job.
8.) Chase Claypool, receiver, Notre Dame
At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Claypool ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He could solidify the Bears' receiving group in 2020 and perhaps become the top target beyond that if Allen Robinson isn't locked into a long-term deal.
9.) Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Oklahoma
The dynamic dual-threat quarterback Hurts would give the Bears a potential long-term fit at that position. In the short term, he could offer coach Matt Nagy a unique weapon to unleash in 2020.
10.) Tee Higgins, receiver, Clemson
The Tigers have tremendous track record of producing receivers. Could Higgins be the program's next star at that position? NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein compared Higgins to Bengals receiver A.J. Green.
11.) Josh Jones, offensive tackle, Houston
While Jones is a bit of a developmental prospect, that could be just what the Bears need if they're looking to replace Bobby Massie after the 2020 season.
12.) Michael Pittman Jr., receiver, USC
Pittman is a big target at 6-foot-4 who hauled in 11 touchdowns in 2019. His father was an 11-year NFL veteran running back.
13.) Ross Blacklock, defensive lineman, TCU
The Bears are fairly well set on their defensive line, but Blacklock would give them another option at the five-technique alongside Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman.
14.) Jaylon Johnson, cornerback, Utah
An all-Pac 12 selection, Johnson had shoulder surgery in March, which could impact his draft stock. But if the Bears are confident in his medicals, it would be a solid pick.
15.) A.J. Epenesa, edge rusher, Iowa
Epenesa posted a combined 24.5 sacks at Iowa over the last two seasons. The Bears could take a chance on how his game translates to the next level.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
