(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The 2022 NFL Draft continues in Las Vegas Friday evening, as franchises will make selections in second and third rounds.
For the Bears, these will be the first draft choices of the G.M. Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus regime. Due to last year's draft night trade to move up and select quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears did not have a pick in Thursday night's first round. As of now, they are slated to pick three times Friday night. The Bears possess two selections in the second round- 39th and 48th overall picks - and one in the third round- 71st overall pick.
On Saturday's final day of the draft (rounds 4 through 7), the Bears currently have three more picks.
Besides interest in who the hometown team will take, eyes will be on prospects with Chicago area roots. Glen Ellyn's Alec Pierce, a wide receiver who played at Glenbard West High School and University of Cincinnati, and Mayood's Perrion Winfrey, a defensive tackle who played at Lake Park High School and University of Oklahoma, have a realistic chance of being drafted Friday night.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: Alec Pierce #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reaches for a pass over Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide that ends up being incomplete during the first quarter in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas.Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Other draft hopefuls from the Chicago area include:
Indiana State wide receiver Phazione McClurge, Chicago, Mount Carmel High School
Southern Illinois wide receiver Landon Lenoir, Crete, Crete-Monee High School
Northern Illinois wide receiver Tyrice Ritchie, Chicago, Homewood- Flossmoor High School
Northern Illinois tight end Clint Ratkovich, Crete, Crete-Monee High School
Culver-Stockton offensive tackle Andrew Rupcich, Wonder Lake, McHenry High School
Southern Illinois offensive guard Zeveyon Furcron, Crest Hill, Joliet Catholic High School
Illinois offensive guard Jack Badovinac, Wilmette, Loyola Academy
Illinois center Doug Kramer, Hinsdale, Hinsdale Central High School
Arkansas defensive tackle John Ridgeway, Bloomington, Bloomington High School
Missouri State defensive tackle Eric Johnson, Plainfield, Plainfield South High School
Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sandborn, Deer Park, Lake Zurich High School
Pittsburg cornerback Dallis Flowers, Chicago, Oak Park-River Forest High School
The second and third rounds of the draft begin at 6 p.m. Friday, while the final day of the draft starts 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Stay tuned to WBBM Newsradio throughout the weekend for the latest Bears draft news and analysis.
