With the Chicago Bears roster set the way it currently is, the Bears are in a unique position ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. While most mock drafts have specific players the Bears will be selecting with each of their picks, we will take a look at the position the Bears should target in each round.
Round 1, pick 10
Best position to address: Edge rusher
The Bears could take a running back or defensive tackle with this pick. Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, and Ashton Jeanty will likely be gone so they will taking the second best at any of these positions. With that in mind, the second-best edge rusher looks better than the next best at either of the other two positions.
Beyond that, in recent years, we have seen high-end defensive tackles and running backs hit free agency after being selected high in the draft by Christian Wilkins and Saquon Barkley. If edge rushers hit, teams pay them, and they never hit free agency. They need to identify their favorite non-Carter edge rusher and pick them here.
Round 2, pick 39
Best position to address: Running back
The Bears obviously need a running back. D’Andre Swift has had issues with Ben Johnson in the past, and even if he stays with the team, they cannot trust Roschon Johnson, who has been ineffective and unhealthy in his first two seasons.
The question is more about whether they can get a complement to Swift such as Kaleb Johnson, or if they can get a Swift replacement in TreyVeon Henderson.
Round 2, pick 41
Best position to address: Defensive tackle
You can interchange defensive tackle and running back, but there appear to be more options in round two that fit at defensive tackle, while they have to hope someone like Henderson falls to them at pick 39.
Grady Jarrett was a great addition, but he is aging, and Andrew Billings is coming off of an injury. They need more depth here anyway, and between Shemar Turner, Alfred Collins, TJ Sanders, Darius Alexander, and more, there are going to be a few good fits here.
Round 3, pick 72
Best position to address: Offensive Line
The Bears should not let this draft go by without addressing the offensive line. While they hit big needs in the first couple of rounds, drafting offensive line in round three means taking someone who can push for a starting job at some point, and that is the type of talent they need to continue to add to this room. Marcus Mbow, Jonah Savanaiinea, Emery Jones, Wyatt Milum, and Jalen Rivers could all be around at this spot, and all of them have tackle and guard versatility that could play well with the Bears' current roster.
Round 5, pick 148
Best position to address: Tight End
The depth is thin behind Cole Kmet and it would be smart to add some youth to this room. Mitchell Evans, Jackson Hawes, and Thomas Fiddone could all be around in this slot.
Round 7, pick 233
Best position to address: Linebacker
Noah Sewell and Amen Ogbongmeniga are fine depth options, but they could add someone to push them and potentially make a special team contribution.
Round 7, pick 240
Best position to address: Safety
Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens are fine as depth, but they could be pushed and Kevin Byard will have to be replaced eventually as well. Why not take a flyer here?