While the Chicago Bears saw rookie quarterback Caleb Williams break efficiency records in what became a very good rookie season, the biggest reason he didn't have a great season that resulted in more wins was the lack of a quality offensive line and running game around him.
New head coach Ben Johnson may have earned a reputation as an aerial circus ringmaster, but he helped turn the Detroit Lions into a contender on the back of a strong offensive line and ground attack. To help him turn the Bears into a winner, Johnson might be able to lean exclusively on local and semi-local talent in the Big Ten Conference.
This 2025 NFL Mock Draft could help the Bears build a winner using players exclusively from the Big Ten, with an emphasis on building the team in the trenches after last year's mess.
Chicago Bears All-Big Ten 3-round NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 10: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Simmons may be a slight reach here, but there is a legitimate scenario in which LSU's Will Campbell and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. are both off the board when Chicago has to pick at No. 10 overall. Simmons' injury concerns and penalty problems are valid, but he is still worth developing.
Simmons and teammate Donovan Jackson helped make the Buckeyes one of the best overall offensive lines in the country. A premier athlete with some of the best movement skills in the class, Simmons should be able to start right away in the pros despite his injury woes.
Round 2, Pick 39: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
While the Bears could have interest in fellow Buckeyes teammate Quinshon Judkins, who is a very powerful runner with a nasty mindset, Henderson might be the more explosive player with more big play potential. Essentially, Johnson will pick between a David Montgomery clone or a Jahmyr Gibbs wannabe.
Henderson has solid speed, great vision between the tackles, and a history of producing against quality competition. Henderson should be able to push D'Andre Swift for carries as a rookie, and it could give Johnson an excuse to once again dump the Georgia product for a playmaker of this caliber.
Round 2, Pick 41: Marcus Mbow, OT/IOL, Purdue
While Jackson could be an appealing pick here, Mbow may actually have the higher upside due to his athletic potential. Despite playing on a one-win Boilermakers team, Mbow flexed the combination of raw power and solid mobility that teams will want to see.
Mbow, a Senior Bowl standout, has played both tackle and guard, which will make him even more valuable to a Bears team that needs to find some way to get their five best offensive linemen on the field in some form or fashion.
Round 3, Pick 72: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Stewart is never going to be a very good run defender in the pros, but the Bears (or whomever does pick him in the first few rounds) likely won't be that concerned about it. Stewart, a four-year contributor at Coastal Carolina and Michigan, was one of the Wolverines' most consistent pass rush threats.
Stewart has some serious juice off the edge, and he should end up becoming a more refined pass rush specialist in the pros as he used his fairly deep box of moves to get to the quarterback. Anyone worried about his size pay end up passing up on someone with double-digit sack potential.