We covered what the Chicago Bears will likely do during the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The next few days tend to predict what the Bears will do during the next few days. That is why the NFL draft is so hard to predict. When you take a certain position on day one of the draft, that position will likely not be selected on the next day. Players we covered during the first round for the Chicago Bears:
- Tetairoa McMillian
- Ashton Jeanty
- Mason Graham
- Will Campbell
- Tyler Warren
- Jahdae Barron
- Luther Burden III
- Mike Green
- Armand Membou
- Will Johnson
- Kelvin Banks Jr
- Mykel Williams
I did mess up on my first mock draft because the Bears did a great job fixing the defensive line during the free agency period. I assumed they would sign Khalil Mack to a one-year deal and sign Milton Williams to help sure up the interior side. So, I focused on the defensive end position to make sure they hit on one of them.
Ryan Poles brought in a young edge rusher who fits Dennis Allen's profile. As I stated in the mock, Allen likes large, productive edge rushers. He believes in power over finesse. The Bears did trade up last year for Austin Booker. Booker has a ton of length and can play with power, but I expect Allen to get his choice of a young stud to rotate in while Booker gains more size and power. So, edge day two is still in play, but two of them are not likely.
I also expected Ryan Poles to sign a running back from free agency. I figured Ben Johnson was licking his lips to bring in Najee Harris on a two-year deal. With that said, running back is in play for day two. If a receiver isn't drafted on day one by the Bears, you bet your bottom dollar one is coming on day two. Last but not least, there will be a safety drafted by the Chicago Bears. When? I am not sure. It depends on the board. But Kevin Byard isn't the future, and Jaquan Brisker (who is still my guy) has health issues.
While Ryan Poles shouldn't reach on safety, if one falls in his lap, say, Malaki Starks or Xavier Watts, you grab him first because the depth this year isn't as strong at this position group. So, to help me build my next mock draft, we have to think about the position groups available, the talent of the player, and the overall value. That leaves the Bears with running backs, receivers, tight ends, safeties, and edge rushers.
The Bears, based on the newly acquired interior offensive line group, will primarily stick with the zone-based scheme. Can the upgrade from D'Andre Swift be made? Yes, but the rush to do it isn't as high as people think. I would assume if Jeanty isn't the pick at 10, then it's going to be a skill position on offense or defense. The two second-round picks would include one big (size-wise) edge rusher and a positional value player who fell.
A positional faller with the 39th overall pick:
- Malakis Starks, safety, Georgia (not likely)
- Matthew Golden, receiver, Texas
- Omarion Hampton, running back, UNC (not likely)
- Colston Lovelan, tight end, Michigan
- Grey Zabel, offensive line, North Dakota State
- Jack Bech, receiver, TCU
- Xavier Watts, safety, Norte Dam
An edge rusher drafted on day two is very likely. I assume if the Bears don't come away with a running back named Jeanty or Hampton, they might wait until round three or four even to grab someone with this draft being so deep at the position. That leaves edge as almost a surefire pick with one of the two second-round draft selections. Now, remember what Dennis Allen likes and not what you like. He isn't likely to draft that 6'2, 245lbs edge defender that you are drooling over. You have to be real. Think about guys like:
- Mykel Williams (likely gone)
- Shemar Stewart (not enough production for round one for the Bears)
- Nic Scourton
- Landon Jackson (love this guy)
- JT Tuimoloau
- Jack Sawyer
- Jared Ivey
I like guys like Kyle Kennard, Princely Umanmielen, and Bradyn Swinson, but they don't fit the profile. I'm not saying they can't be selected; it just doesn't fit Allen's M.O. I feel the Chicago Bears will grab a running back, but we should start thinking about whoever could fall to round three unless something weird happens.