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The Chicago Bears added eight new rookies to the roster during the 2025 NFL draft, which includes some playmakers on offense and some potential late-round gems in the trenches and beyond.
The Bears had four picks in the first two rounds of the draft, which included some impactful additions of tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner. They also added some high upside rookies in linebacker Ruben Hyppolite III, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and running backs Kyle Monangai on Day 3.
Here's one thing to know about every Bears' rookie draft pick in 2025:
The Bears got a true playmaking threat in tight end Colston Loveland, who will serve as a 1-2 punch alongside Cole Kmet. While some had Tyler Warren pegged as the top tight end in this class, Loveland was easily the best pure receiving threat as a tight end in the draft. He's a skilled route runner who knows how to create separation and make defenders pay. At Michigan, Loveland set a school record with 56 receptions and totaled 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns despite a poor quarterback situation. Loveland has garnered comparisons to Sam LaPorta, who Ben Johnson coached in Detroit, and could certainly make that kind of impact in the passing game.
Ben Johnson has talked about the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, and that certainly seems like a role for second-round receiver Luther Burden III. While Johnson will likely move Burden around -- he can line up inside, outside and even in the backfield -- he's at his most dangerous in the slot. He's also a YAC machine and could be a game wrecker for Chicago. For what it's worth, Burden ran 88% of his routes from the slot over the last two seasons, so that feels like an easy fit.
The Bears might've landed their future left tackle in Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. While Trapilo played the past two seasons at right tackle for Boston College, he has also played left tackle at the college level giving him versatility. General manager Ryan Poles indicated the team wants to see what they have in Trapilo at left tackle. The Bears know Trapilo can play right tackle, so they're going to give him reps at left tackle starting in OTAs and minicamp to see if that's a potential fit.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking to employ an aggressive style of defense, which makes defensive tackle Shemar Turner a perfect fit. Turner plays with violence and aggression that have made him an interior pass rushing threat, as he's logged eight sacks in the last two seasons. But that mindset has also gotten him into trouble at times. Last season at Texas A&M, Turner committed seven personal fouls. Now, it's about reigning in that violence, while not changing who Turner is as a player, to maximize his potential in this defense.
Ruben Hyppolite II was easily the most surprising pick of the draft for Chicago, and it's been met with plenty of criticism. Many analysts felt he was a seventh-round pick or even undrafted free agent, and the Bears made him a fourth-round selection. But Hyppolite has plenty of potential. The word that comes to mind with Hyppolite is speed. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at his pro day. Draft analyst Field Yates described Hyppolite on ESPN's draft day coverage: "It looks like he has rocket launchers attached to his feet." Hyppolite is a fast, athletic linebacker who will serve as key depth behind T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
Cornerback wasn't a huge need heading into the draft for the Bears, but that didn't stop them from landing a potential steal in Zah Frazier in the fifth round. Frazier has elite ball skills, speed and length that make him an intriguing prospect. Frazier has plenty of support from within the building, including a new assistant coach. After the draft, general manager Ryan Poles said that defensive backs coach Al Harris texted him back in February about how he liked Frazier's fit for what they can do on defense. A personal recommendation? Not bad for the fifth-round rookie.
The Bears landed a versatile offensive lineman in Luke Newman, who has played across the line during his five-year collegiate career. Newman started at tackle for Holy Cross for three years before switching to guard at Michigan State in his final season. Now, as he joins Chicago, Newman will serve as a guard or center. But that experience at every position will be crucial in the long run, especially as the long-term future of this offensive line takes hold.
While Kyle Monangai wasn't drafted until the seventh round, he has the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Monangai is skilled as a runner, as he's coming off back-to-back 1,000 yards rushing seasons at Indiana. But he also takes pride in his pass protection, which will be crucial after Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times last season. When asked about pass protection, Monangai said: "Quarterback is the most important person on the field. So protecting the quarterback is something I was raised on." That's something that will help the young rookie climb the depth chart.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: One thing to know about every Bears rookie
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The Bears had four picks in the first two rounds of the draft, which included some impactful additions of tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner. They also added some high upside rookies in linebacker Ruben Hyppolite III, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and running backs Kyle Monangai on Day 3.
Here's one thing to know about every Bears' rookie draft pick in 2025:
1. Colston Loveland is an elite receiving threat
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The Bears got a true playmaking threat in tight end Colston Loveland, who will serve as a 1-2 punch alongside Cole Kmet. While some had Tyler Warren pegged as the top tight end in this class, Loveland was easily the best pure receiving threat as a tight end in the draft. He's a skilled route runner who knows how to create separation and make defenders pay. At Michigan, Loveland set a school record with 56 receptions and totaled 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns despite a poor quarterback situation. Loveland has garnered comparisons to Sam LaPorta, who Ben Johnson coached in Detroit, and could certainly make that kind of impact in the passing game.
2. Luther Burden III played mostly in the slot
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Ben Johnson has talked about the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, and that certainly seems like a role for second-round receiver Luther Burden III. While Johnson will likely move Burden around -- he can line up inside, outside and even in the backfield -- he's at his most dangerous in the slot. He's also a YAC machine and could be a game wrecker for Chicago. For what it's worth, Burden ran 88% of his routes from the slot over the last two seasons, so that feels like an easy fit.
3. Ozzy Trapilo has played both left and right tackle
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The Bears might've landed their future left tackle in Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. While Trapilo played the past two seasons at right tackle for Boston College, he has also played left tackle at the college level giving him versatility. General manager Ryan Poles indicated the team wants to see what they have in Trapilo at left tackle. The Bears know Trapilo can play right tackle, so they're going to give him reps at left tackle starting in OTAs and minicamp to see if that's a potential fit.
4. Shemar Turner plays with violence
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Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking to employ an aggressive style of defense, which makes defensive tackle Shemar Turner a perfect fit. Turner plays with violence and aggression that have made him an interior pass rushing threat, as he's logged eight sacks in the last two seasons. But that mindset has also gotten him into trouble at times. Last season at Texas A&M, Turner committed seven personal fouls. Now, it's about reigning in that violence, while not changing who Turner is as a player, to maximize his potential in this defense.
5. Ruben Hyppolite II is crazy fast
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Ruben Hyppolite II was easily the most surprising pick of the draft for Chicago, and it's been met with plenty of criticism. Many analysts felt he was a seventh-round pick or even undrafted free agent, and the Bears made him a fourth-round selection. But Hyppolite has plenty of potential. The word that comes to mind with Hyppolite is speed. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at his pro day. Draft analyst Field Yates described Hyppolite on ESPN's draft day coverage: "It looks like he has rocket launchers attached to his feet." Hyppolite is a fast, athletic linebacker who will serve as key depth behind T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
6. Zah Frazier was mentioned specifically by Al Harris
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Cornerback wasn't a huge need heading into the draft for the Bears, but that didn't stop them from landing a potential steal in Zah Frazier in the fifth round. Frazier has elite ball skills, speed and length that make him an intriguing prospect. Frazier has plenty of support from within the building, including a new assistant coach. After the draft, general manager Ryan Poles said that defensive backs coach Al Harris texted him back in February about how he liked Frazier's fit for what they can do on defense. A personal recommendation? Not bad for the fifth-round rookie.
7. Luke Newman has guard/tackle versatility
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The Bears landed a versatile offensive lineman in Luke Newman, who has played across the line during his five-year collegiate career. Newman started at tackle for Holy Cross for three years before switching to guard at Michigan State in his final season. Now, as he joins Chicago, Newman will serve as a guard or center. But that experience at every position will be crucial in the long run, especially as the long-term future of this offensive line takes hold.
8. Kyle Monangai excels in pass protection
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While Kyle Monangai wasn't drafted until the seventh round, he has the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Monangai is skilled as a runner, as he's coming off back-to-back 1,000 yards rushing seasons at Indiana. But he also takes pride in his pass protection, which will be crucial after Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times last season. When asked about pass protection, Monangai said: "Quarterback is the most important person on the field. So protecting the quarterback is something I was raised on." That's something that will help the young rookie climb the depth chart.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: One thing to know about every Bears rookie
Continue reading...
