Lost in the recent speculation of what the Chicago Bears may do in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is that if the team stays where they are, selecting 10th overall, there is a chance they will get one of the best non-quarterback prospects in this year's draft class.
If you list out the top ten players, the Bears are locked to get one of them, so who should the candidates be?
Travis Hunter
He is going to go in the top five.
Abdul Carter
He is going to go in the top five as well.
Armand Membou
It is hard to see him slide after his excellent combine performance. He is a tackle with elite athleticism and good tape. Those do not fall far, but the Bears would rush to the board for him.
Mason Graham
Graham has one of the highest floors in the entire draft class and would be an excellent long-term fit next to Gervon Dexter.
Will Campbell
The question over Will Campbell hasn't been silenced due to his arm size. Does he even start on the Bears as they are currently constructed? At this point, less of that matters. What matters is that they have a player who could be anywhere from a quality starter to an All-Pro caliber at all four positions on the offensive line. That is hard to find.
Ashton Jeanty
This seems to be the top option for most fans, and compared to the top five, he is the most likely to slide to number ten. Does Ben Johnson get another offensive weapon?
Tyler Warren
The Bears have Cole Kmet, but Tyler Warren can be used in so many different ways and he was even used as a wildcat ball carrier who received the snaps. This would be a fun fit for Ben Johnson.
Jalon Walker
This is not the style of pass rusher that Dennis Allen typically uses in his scheme, but this is the type of player you want on your team. He brings leadership and tenacity on defense. He may be undersized, and his snaps on the edge are limited, but the same can be said of Micah Parsons, which is a very high upside comparison.
Shemart Stewart
This may be controversial for some, but you are shooting for the stars in the top ten, and Stewart is exactly that. You can only find so many players as big and fast as him, and while he does not have production, his performance on tape is better than the status quo.
Mykel Williams
Williams is another player who, due to playing more inside in college, may not have his exact NFL role defined yet. Williams has a very high floor as a run defender; the question is whether he has the pass-rushing upside to warrant a top-ten pick.