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The Chicago Bears are gearing up for for the 2025 NFL draft, where new head coach Ben Johnson could be looking to add more playmakers to the roster. Last offseason, the Bears signed D'Andre Swift to a three-year deal. But he didn’t have a true difference-maker type of year, which has people wondering if he should be the lead back in 2025.
Back when he was the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Johnson had a 1-2 punch at running back with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, which means he could be looking to recreate that in some way.
But a team with Johnson in charge of the offense has already moved on from Swift once before. It's hard to imagine Swift being released, but the Bears can certainly draft someone to pair with him as that 1-2 punch. They may even find a new lead back.
Will Chicago be the team to take the first running back off the board? Could they be the second? Maybe they consider one on Day 2 or 3. Here are five running backs who could land with the Bears:
There's a good chance that Ashton Jeanty won't be available when the No. 10 pick comes around, but if he is, Chicago will have a big decision to make. Running backs are important, but they are more of a luxury when building a team the way that the Bears are. Jeanty very well may be a star in the NFL, but it is up to Chicago if they want to select him that high instead of an offensive or defensive lineman. In 2024, Jeanty had 2,601 yards on 374 rushes, which led the nation, and 29 touchdowns. The only knock is that, although Boise State has a good reputation, Jeanty didn't have these numbers against a power conference. Only time will tell if he can translate what makes him great to the NFL.
Barring some big shock, Omarion Hampton will be the second running back taken in the draft, and it will probably be in the second half of the first round. Last season with the Tar Heels, Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards on 281 carries with 15 touchdowns in 12 games. Although those stats aren't as gaudy as Jeanty's, they came against better competition as North Carolina played in the ACC. Hampton is also a pretty good receiving threat. Most modern-day running backs have that in their back pocket, but he was a little more noticeable than average. Hampton had a total of 373 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season.
Kaleb Johnson is likely going to be an early Day 2 pick, and it might make more sense for Chicago. The Bears have two high second-round picks, so he is going to be right in their range with no moves needed. Johnson was one of the best running backs in the Big Ten during the 2024 season. He rushed for 1,537 yards on 240 carries and 21 touchdowns, where his rushing yards and touchdowns led the conference. Johnson has a chance to become an impactful player in the NFL and could thrive in Ben Johnson's offense.
Ohio State had a pair of running backs who made an impact on a championship-winning team, but TreVeyon Henderson will likely be the guy who goes first in the draft. Henderson, who played four years with the Buckeyes, rushed for 1,016 yards on 144 carries and totaled 11 touchdowns in 2024. If this becomes a running back-heavy draft, Henderson could be a guy that the Bears look at with one of their second-round picks.
While Henderson was the lead back at Ohio State, Quinshon Judkins thrived behind him. Judkins could be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick, but it will depend on the running back market at that stage. Last season, Judkins rushed for 1,060 yards on 194 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns in 16 games and added 22 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. This was Judkins' first season with Ohio State after transferring over from Ole Miss, where he also had success.
Both Judkins and Henderson did a good job splitting the carries. Ohio State's offense was a big reason that they went on to win the National Championship. None of it happens without a strong run game. The Bears should be looking at all of their options, which includes Henderson and Judkins.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 5 running backs for Chicago Bears
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Back when he was the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Johnson had a 1-2 punch at running back with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, which means he could be looking to recreate that in some way.
But a team with Johnson in charge of the offense has already moved on from Swift once before. It's hard to imagine Swift being released, but the Bears can certainly draft someone to pair with him as that 1-2 punch. They may even find a new lead back.
Will Chicago be the team to take the first running back off the board? Could they be the second? Maybe they consider one on Day 2 or 3. Here are five running backs who could land with the Bears:
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
There's a good chance that Ashton Jeanty won't be available when the No. 10 pick comes around, but if he is, Chicago will have a big decision to make. Running backs are important, but they are more of a luxury when building a team the way that the Bears are. Jeanty very well may be a star in the NFL, but it is up to Chicago if they want to select him that high instead of an offensive or defensive lineman. In 2024, Jeanty had 2,601 yards on 374 rushes, which led the nation, and 29 touchdowns. The only knock is that, although Boise State has a good reputation, Jeanty didn't have these numbers against a power conference. Only time will tell if he can translate what makes him great to the NFL.
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2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Barring some big shock, Omarion Hampton will be the second running back taken in the draft, and it will probably be in the second half of the first round. Last season with the Tar Heels, Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards on 281 carries with 15 touchdowns in 12 games. Although those stats aren't as gaudy as Jeanty's, they came against better competition as North Carolina played in the ACC. Hampton is also a pretty good receiving threat. Most modern-day running backs have that in their back pocket, but he was a little more noticeable than average. Hampton had a total of 373 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season.
3. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Kaleb Johnson is likely going to be an early Day 2 pick, and it might make more sense for Chicago. The Bears have two high second-round picks, so he is going to be right in their range with no moves needed. Johnson was one of the best running backs in the Big Ten during the 2024 season. He rushed for 1,537 yards on 240 carries and 21 touchdowns, where his rushing yards and touchdowns led the conference. Johnson has a chance to become an impactful player in the NFL and could thrive in Ben Johnson's offense.
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4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Ohio State had a pair of running backs who made an impact on a championship-winning team, but TreVeyon Henderson will likely be the guy who goes first in the draft. Henderson, who played four years with the Buckeyes, rushed for 1,016 yards on 144 carries and totaled 11 touchdowns in 2024. If this becomes a running back-heavy draft, Henderson could be a guy that the Bears look at with one of their second-round picks.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
While Henderson was the lead back at Ohio State, Quinshon Judkins thrived behind him. Judkins could be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick, but it will depend on the running back market at that stage. Last season, Judkins rushed for 1,060 yards on 194 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns in 16 games and added 22 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. This was Judkins' first season with Ohio State after transferring over from Ole Miss, where he also had success.
Both Judkins and Henderson did a good job splitting the carries. Ohio State's offense was a big reason that they went on to win the National Championship. None of it happens without a strong run game. The Bears should be looking at all of their options, which includes Henderson and Judkins.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 5 running backs for Chicago Bears
Continue reading...
