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The Chicago Bears welcomed eight new rookies to the roster during the 2025 NFL draft, which included a pair of playmakers in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III with their first two selections.
Chicago also shored up the trenches with the second-round selections of offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner. The Bears also found some potential late-round gems with linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and running back Kyle Monangai on Day 3.
While it’s far too early to start evaluating this rookie class before they’ve even hit the practice field — yet alone stepped out on an NFL field — Poles appears to have added some impact players at key positions.
Now that the 2025 draft is in the books, let’s take a closer look at this Bears rookie class, where we’re looking at the best pick, sleeper, questionable pick and beyond.
As a Michigan fan, I’ve watched Colston Loveland dominate for three seasons and just knew he was going to be special at the next level. He’s an elite athlete, a great route runner and the best receiving tight end in this draft. This selection was all Ben Johnson, and it’s hard not to get excited when the Bears head coach is envisioning a Sam LaPorta role for Loveland. The fact that Loveland was able to thrive last season at Michigan when they didn’t have an adequate quarterback on the roster is nothing short of remarkable. Now, Loveland gets to catch passes from Caleb Williams and play in a Ben Johnson offense. Talk about a massive upgrade in situations.
See our complete list of best picks
Luther Burden was clearly the best player available when the Bears were picking at 39, and with both Ohio State running backs off the board, this felt like a smart move for Chicago as Ben Johnson’s vision for this offense has become abundantly clear. Johnson has discussed the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, and that's exactly the role that Burden will be filling in the Bears offense as a YAC machine (although Johnson should be able to move him around). Let’s be honest, Burden should’ve been a first-round draft pick. Instead, the NFL let him fall to the second round and right into the waiting arms of Johnson, who might’ve found his Amon-Ra St. Brown in Burden.
See our complete list of best value picks
The Bears have a number of potential sleepers in this draft class, but the one I keep coming back to is Kyle Monangai, who has the best chance to make an immediate impact given the current lack of attention at running back. D’Andre Swift is currently penciled in as the lead back, and Roschon Johnson is waiting in the wings as the between-the-tackles runner. But Monanagi is the best of both worlds; he’s a bruising runner who’s solid in pass protection and is also a home-run hitter. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him challenge for positioning on Ben Johnson’s wide-open depth chart this summer. Monangai could very well be the next Isaiah Pacheco, especially with Johnson calling the shots on offense.
See our complete list of sleeper picks
This was the most shocking pick in terms of reach as many had Ruben Hyppolite II pegged as an undrafted free agent, and Chicago made him a fourth-round selection. With that said, this was a pick where the Bears might’ve been sniped (again) as they traded back from No. 109 to 132 after the Giants drafted running back Cam Skattebo at 105. Chicago loved his speed, toughness, instincts and leadership, and he’ll start as a valuable special teams contributor with the hope of him developing into an impact player to fill Jack Sanborn's role. But the Bears are definitely banking on Hyppolite’s upside here.
See our complete list of questionable picks
There are still questions lingering about the Bears' running back room after the team failed to address the position until the seventh round with Kyle Monangai. But it's not for a lack of trying, as general manager Ryan Poles indicated the draft board didn't fall their way sometimes -- and reports indicate that includes for TreVeyon Henderson and Cam Skattebo. So could Chicago turn to free agency to add a veteran to the group featuring D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and Monangai? There are reports the Bears are showing a serious interest in Nick Chubb, who remains a free agent but has dealt with injury struggles the past couple of years. We'll see if anything manifests, but running back is the biggest question mark on offense.
This Bears draft lacked the sexiness of the Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze 1-2 punch in the Top 10 last year, but that doesn’t mean it will lack the impact. Just like GM Ryan Poles has done all offseason, he put his trust in new head coach Ben Johnson when it came to adding personnel. Johnson’s vision on offense became entirely clear with the selections of tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden with the 10th and 39th overall selections. Chicago also continued to address the trenches with offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner in the second round, and they both have the potential to develop into impact contributors. Outside of the first two rounds, the Bears landed some potential late-round gems in linebacker Ruben Hyppolite, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and a seventh-round steal in running back Kyle Monangai. They missed out on a running back early – twice with Ashton Jeanty and likely TreVeyon Henderson – but the Bears stuck to their “best player available” approach and landed some studs, including Burden, (who was a projected first-round pick.
See our complete list of initial overall grades
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Breaking down Bears' 2025 draft class: Best picks, final grade
Continue reading...
Chicago also shored up the trenches with the second-round selections of offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner. The Bears also found some potential late-round gems with linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and running back Kyle Monangai on Day 3.
While it’s far too early to start evaluating this rookie class before they’ve even hit the practice field — yet alone stepped out on an NFL field — Poles appears to have added some impact players at key positions.
Now that the 2025 draft is in the books, let’s take a closer look at this Bears rookie class, where we’re looking at the best pick, sleeper, questionable pick and beyond.
Best pick: TE Colston Loveland
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As a Michigan fan, I’ve watched Colston Loveland dominate for three seasons and just knew he was going to be special at the next level. He’s an elite athlete, a great route runner and the best receiving tight end in this draft. This selection was all Ben Johnson, and it’s hard not to get excited when the Bears head coach is envisioning a Sam LaPorta role for Loveland. The fact that Loveland was able to thrive last season at Michigan when they didn’t have an adequate quarterback on the roster is nothing short of remarkable. Now, Loveland gets to catch passes from Caleb Williams and play in a Ben Johnson offense. Talk about a massive upgrade in situations.
See our complete list of best picks
Best value pick: WR Luther Burden III
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Luther Burden was clearly the best player available when the Bears were picking at 39, and with both Ohio State running backs off the board, this felt like a smart move for Chicago as Ben Johnson’s vision for this offense has become abundantly clear. Johnson has discussed the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, and that's exactly the role that Burden will be filling in the Bears offense as a YAC machine (although Johnson should be able to move him around). Let’s be honest, Burden should’ve been a first-round draft pick. Instead, the NFL let him fall to the second round and right into the waiting arms of Johnson, who might’ve found his Amon-Ra St. Brown in Burden.
See our complete list of best value picks
Sleeper pick: RB Kyle Monagai
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The Bears have a number of potential sleepers in this draft class, but the one I keep coming back to is Kyle Monangai, who has the best chance to make an immediate impact given the current lack of attention at running back. D’Andre Swift is currently penciled in as the lead back, and Roschon Johnson is waiting in the wings as the between-the-tackles runner. But Monanagi is the best of both worlds; he’s a bruising runner who’s solid in pass protection and is also a home-run hitter. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him challenge for positioning on Ben Johnson’s wide-open depth chart this summer. Monangai could very well be the next Isaiah Pacheco, especially with Johnson calling the shots on offense.
See our complete list of sleeper picks
Questionable pick: LB Ruben Hyppolite II
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This was the most shocking pick in terms of reach as many had Ruben Hyppolite II pegged as an undrafted free agent, and Chicago made him a fourth-round selection. With that said, this was a pick where the Bears might’ve been sniped (again) as they traded back from No. 109 to 132 after the Giants drafted running back Cam Skattebo at 105. Chicago loved his speed, toughness, instincts and leadership, and he’ll start as a valuable special teams contributor with the hope of him developing into an impact player to fill Jack Sanborn's role. But the Bears are definitely banking on Hyppolite’s upside here.
See our complete list of questionable picks
Must follow position: Running back
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There are still questions lingering about the Bears' running back room after the team failed to address the position until the seventh round with Kyle Monangai. But it's not for a lack of trying, as general manager Ryan Poles indicated the draft board didn't fall their way sometimes -- and reports indicate that includes for TreVeyon Henderson and Cam Skattebo. So could Chicago turn to free agency to add a veteran to the group featuring D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and Monangai? There are reports the Bears are showing a serious interest in Nick Chubb, who remains a free agent but has dealt with injury struggles the past couple of years. We'll see if anything manifests, but running back is the biggest question mark on offense.
Overall assessment: B+
This Bears draft lacked the sexiness of the Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze 1-2 punch in the Top 10 last year, but that doesn’t mean it will lack the impact. Just like GM Ryan Poles has done all offseason, he put his trust in new head coach Ben Johnson when it came to adding personnel. Johnson’s vision on offense became entirely clear with the selections of tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden with the 10th and 39th overall selections. Chicago also continued to address the trenches with offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner in the second round, and they both have the potential to develop into impact contributors. Outside of the first two rounds, the Bears landed some potential late-round gems in linebacker Ruben Hyppolite, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and a seventh-round steal in running back Kyle Monangai. They missed out on a running back early – twice with Ashton Jeanty and likely TreVeyon Henderson – but the Bears stuck to their “best player available” approach and landed some studs, including Burden, (who was a projected first-round pick.
See our complete list of initial overall grades
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Breaking down Bears' 2025 draft class: Best picks, final grade
Continue reading...
