The Bears drafted Iowa center James Daniels with their No. 39 pick in the second round on Friday.
Daniels was considered one of the top interior lineman in the draft, having started for the Hawkeyes the past two seasons. He could be seen tearing up on the phone as the Bears informed him he was their second-round pick.
The 6-3, 306-pounder could push center Cody Whitehair to guard to replace Josh Sitton, the Pro Bowl player the Bears let walk this offseason. New offensive line coach Harry Hiestand just found his new starting lineup — despite the Bears being unable to draft Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson on Thursday.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace traded down in the second round in each of the last two years. The last time he held the No. 39 pick, three years ago, he drafted nose tackle Eddie Goldman.
The Bears entered Friday with distinct needs at outside linebacker, the interior offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver. They currently do not hold a third-round pick, meaning Pace might not draft again until Saturday morning, when the Bears have two fourth-round selections.
