The Chicago Bears fixed the interior offensive line while adding to the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. I will bring you my post-free agency mock draft before my final guess as to what Ryan Poles will do before the draft. My first guess mock draft assumed that the Bears would fix the offensive line during free agency.
I am sure you are tired of looking at mock drafts, but if you want to keep track of ones that tend to be accurate and realistic, you know where to find me. Adam Hoge and Jahns asked if Ryan Poles was back. Well, in my opinion, he has to finish off this offseason with a win in the draft. By doing that, he will need to focus on the best player available during the first round or a properly valued trade-down that acquires more draft assets. And then, during day two, drafting developmental players that can produce now.
During my first Chicago Bears 2025 mock draft, we made that happen. We gained a day-two and day-three draft pick and added Tyler Warren, a tight end from Penn State. The Bears will be focused on grabbing whatever talented player falls to them, regardless if it's the 10th overall pick or further. I expect those players to be:
- Tetairoa McMillian, receiver, Arizona
- Ashton Gentry, running back, Boise State
- Mason Graham, defensive interior, Michigan
- Will Campbell, offensive line, LSU
- Tyler Warren, tight end, Penn State
If any of these players are available and only one is still available with the 10th overall selection, I fully expect Ryan Poles to draft that player. Did Mason Graham and Will Campbell come in with questionable size? Yes. But people need to be realistic; both players will likely be unavailable before the Bears draft. That leaves three skill players who were the best in college football in their positions.
If you don't think people are taking running backs early anymore in the NFL draft, you didn't watch football last year. Running backs matter, and the NFL has figured that out again. Saquon Barkley led his team to a Super Bowl. Derrick Henry made it easier for the Ravens to progress, yet they still failed. Josh Jacobs single-handedly made the Packers competitive. Without those three stars, those teams wouldn't have been as dominant as they were.
Ashton Gentry is similar to the HoF stud LaDainian Tomlinson. If you don't think that is worth a top-five draft selection, I can't argue with you any further. McMillian (TMac) is similar to AJ Green. Again, that is top-five worthy. Lastly, Tyler Warren is similar to Jeremy Shockey/Dallas Clark, according to the NFL. What I see is Taysom Hill if he was 6'5, drafted at 22, and used properly his entire career.
There are some honorable mentions:
- Jahdae Barron, defensive back, Texas
- Luther Burden III, receiver, Missouri
- Mike Green, edge, Marshall
- Armand Membou, tackle, Missouri
- Will Johnson, defensive back, Michigan
- Kelvin Banks Jr, tackle, Texas
- Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia
The players listed above are if the Chicago Bears trade down from the 10th overall spot and acquire more draft capital. In a perfect world, the Bears don't have to move and can acquire a player in that first tier.
Now, I am sure you are wondering why there is no position of need. You don't draft a player in the top 15 based on need—well, outside of quarterback. That is the only exception. The defensive backs could easily outperform Tyrique Stevenson. Burden III was the Tigers' punt returner, and that has been a struggle for the Bears. He is also an outstanding slot receiver. The rest of the players are self-explanatory. Stand by for the day two article.