- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 519,155
- Reaction score
- 47
At long last, draft day has finally arrived. The 2025 NFL Draft is officially set to begin in a matter of hours, and the Chicago Bears will look to add at least one playmaker to improve their roster in Round 1.
For weeks, draft experts, analysts, media members, fans, and everyone else under the sun have been trying to gauge what the Bears will do with their first-round pick. From offensive weapons to linemen on both sides of the ball, it still seems like it's anyone's guess as to where general manager Ryan Poles will focus his efforts. For a team with a brand new coaching staff on both sides of the ball, the possibilities are endless for what might happen on Thursday night.
We'll know soon enough, but for now, here are 10 players the Bears could pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The star running back out of Boise State has been a prime target for the Bears for many weeks now. If Ashton Jeanty is available at No. 10, it's a safe bet to assume the Bears will select him. The problem is Jeanty could have teams inside the top 10 interested in his services, and if the Bears don't pony up and make a trade, he likely won't be around when they're on the clock.
Believe it or not, Kelvin Banks was one of the first players mocked to the Bears way back when the offseason began. The talented lineman out of Texas has always been considered one of the top tackle prospects, though some teams may prefer him at guard. In recent weeks, his name has come back up to the surface, and the Bears are reportedly very high on him. Banks could be the successor to Braxton Jones.
Tyler Warren was a mismatch for Big Ten defenders last season at Penn State, and the Bears aren't shy about showing their infatuation for the tight end. Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have raved about what Warren can bring to an NFL offense. If Warren was paired with Cole Kmet going into the 2025 season, the Bears would be able to get very creative with their offensive playcalling, something that is music to Johnson's ears.
It appears the Bears are focusing on the offensive side of the ball early in the draft, but that doesn't mean they're going to ignore the defense. There are a few key defenders who could be available that would improve the defensive line, including Mykel Williams. The Georgia edge rusher came into this season as one of the top prospects and had a solid season while dealing with an ankle injury. Williams is a bigger defensive end who fits the profile of what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes.
A couple of weeks ago, it seemed as if Mason Graham was destined to be selected in the top five of the draft. Things change, however, and now he could be a name that is sitting squarely at No. 10 for the Bears to land. Graham is the consensus top defensive tackle in this year's draft class and could give the Bears the three-technique they have been searching for. He still could go before the Bears have a chance to pick, but the odds of Graham being available are looking better and better.
Armand Membou seems destined to be selected within the top 10 and will likely be gone when the Bears are up to pick. Perhaps they find a way to move up or get lucky with some picks that cause him to drop. Membou didn't allow a sack at Mizzou last season, and though he exclusively played right tackle, that shouldn't preclude him from making a switch to the left side if need be. It's a long shot, but there's a path for Membou to become a Bear.
If Jeanty is gone in the top five and the Bears don't move up, could they turn their attention to another running back? Omarion Hampton would be next in line, and though picking him at No. 10 feels rich, he may be the best option for them depending on how the board falls. Or maybe Poles finds a way to enter back into the first round with the intention of drafting Hampton. It's not out of the realm of possibilities.
Another lengthy defensive end, Shemart Stewart is one of the biggest enigmas of the draft. He has elite measurables and looks like a prototypical NFL edge rusher, yet he didn't produce while at Texas A&M, as he totaled just 4.5 sacks in three years. Some team will be taking a leap of faith of sorts by picking him in the first round, and that could be the Bears. It wouldn't be a popular pick among the fans, though.
The Bears are reportedly very high on Josh Conerly, and there's a chance he could even be picked at No. 10 overall, which feels rich considering he seems like a late first-round prospect at best. Conerly could work in with Braxton Jones and eventually become his successor following the 2025 season. He may not be the top player at his position, but he would provide the Bears with a capable option who has excelled against elite competition like Abdul Carter.
Warren isn't the only tight end worthy of going in the first round. Michigan's Colston Loveland is right up there with him after a decorated career at Michigan. Like Conerly or Hampton, picking Loveland at No. 10 overall might be a little rich, but Johnson is looking for dynamic playmakers to add to the offense. Loveland stands out as one of the better options and could be a dark horse candidate.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 10 players the Bears could pick in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
For weeks, draft experts, analysts, media members, fans, and everyone else under the sun have been trying to gauge what the Bears will do with their first-round pick. From offensive weapons to linemen on both sides of the ball, it still seems like it's anyone's guess as to where general manager Ryan Poles will focus his efforts. For a team with a brand new coaching staff on both sides of the ball, the possibilities are endless for what might happen on Thursday night.
We'll know soon enough, but for now, here are 10 players the Bears could pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. RB Ashton Jeanty
You must be registered for see images attach
The star running back out of Boise State has been a prime target for the Bears for many weeks now. If Ashton Jeanty is available at No. 10, it's a safe bet to assume the Bears will select him. The problem is Jeanty could have teams inside the top 10 interested in his services, and if the Bears don't pony up and make a trade, he likely won't be around when they're on the clock.
2. OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
Believe it or not, Kelvin Banks was one of the first players mocked to the Bears way back when the offseason began. The talented lineman out of Texas has always been considered one of the top tackle prospects, though some teams may prefer him at guard. In recent weeks, his name has come back up to the surface, and the Bears are reportedly very high on him. Banks could be the successor to Braxton Jones.
3. TE Tyler Warren
Tyler Warren was a mismatch for Big Ten defenders last season at Penn State, and the Bears aren't shy about showing their infatuation for the tight end. Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have raved about what Warren can bring to an NFL offense. If Warren was paired with Cole Kmet going into the 2025 season, the Bears would be able to get very creative with their offensive playcalling, something that is music to Johnson's ears.
4. DE Mykel Williams
You must be registered for see images
It appears the Bears are focusing on the offensive side of the ball early in the draft, but that doesn't mean they're going to ignore the defense. There are a few key defenders who could be available that would improve the defensive line, including Mykel Williams. The Georgia edge rusher came into this season as one of the top prospects and had a solid season while dealing with an ankle injury. Williams is a bigger defensive end who fits the profile of what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes.
5. DT Mason Graham
A couple of weeks ago, it seemed as if Mason Graham was destined to be selected in the top five of the draft. Things change, however, and now he could be a name that is sitting squarely at No. 10 for the Bears to land. Graham is the consensus top defensive tackle in this year's draft class and could give the Bears the three-technique they have been searching for. He still could go before the Bears have a chance to pick, but the odds of Graham being available are looking better and better.
6. OT Armand Membou
Armand Membou seems destined to be selected within the top 10 and will likely be gone when the Bears are up to pick. Perhaps they find a way to move up or get lucky with some picks that cause him to drop. Membou didn't allow a sack at Mizzou last season, and though he exclusively played right tackle, that shouldn't preclude him from making a switch to the left side if need be. It's a long shot, but there's a path for Membou to become a Bear.
7. RB Omarion Hampton
You must be registered for see images
If Jeanty is gone in the top five and the Bears don't move up, could they turn their attention to another running back? Omarion Hampton would be next in line, and though picking him at No. 10 feels rich, he may be the best option for them depending on how the board falls. Or maybe Poles finds a way to enter back into the first round with the intention of drafting Hampton. It's not out of the realm of possibilities.
8. DE Shemar Stewart
Another lengthy defensive end, Shemart Stewart is one of the biggest enigmas of the draft. He has elite measurables and looks like a prototypical NFL edge rusher, yet he didn't produce while at Texas A&M, as he totaled just 4.5 sacks in three years. Some team will be taking a leap of faith of sorts by picking him in the first round, and that could be the Bears. It wouldn't be a popular pick among the fans, though.
9. OT Josh Conerly
The Bears are reportedly very high on Josh Conerly, and there's a chance he could even be picked at No. 10 overall, which feels rich considering he seems like a late first-round prospect at best. Conerly could work in with Braxton Jones and eventually become his successor following the 2025 season. He may not be the top player at his position, but he would provide the Bears with a capable option who has excelled against elite competition like Abdul Carter.
10. TE Colston Loveland
You must be registered for see images attach
Warren isn't the only tight end worthy of going in the first round. Michigan's Colston Loveland is right up there with him after a decorated career at Michigan. Like Conerly or Hampton, picking Loveland at No. 10 overall might be a little rich, but Johnson is looking for dynamic playmakers to add to the offense. Loveland stands out as one of the better options and could be a dark horse candidate.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 10 players the Bears could pick in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
