Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have been heavily connected to star running back Ashton Jeanty. However, teams across the league are starting to catch on. Jeanty’s stock has only risen, making it increasingly unlikely that he is available when the Bears pick at No. 10.
Chicago will still have plenty of options on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. While the franchise was aggressive in free agency, they’re still coming off of a 5-12 season. The Bears are hoping to prove that their revival is real this time and that they’re prepared to be true contenders.
Adding a top flight pass rusher in the first-round could be exactly what Chicago needs to do exactly that. While he may not be getting as much buzz as Jeanty, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune had the Bears selecting Georgia’s Mykel Williams with the No. 10 pick in his final mock draft.
“If Cam Ward is the only quarterback selected in the first nine picks and the Bears can’t get one of the elite prospects in this draft, they’re expected to seek a trade down,” Biggs wrote.
“If no suitable move is available, they can use the pick on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, take the first true cornerback off the board, roll the dice on an imperfect left tackle prospect or add to the defensive line,” Biggs continued. “Williams is a high-ceiling prospect who can bring juice to the pass rush.”
What Mykel Williams offers Chicago Bears
Williams spent three years at Georgia, appearing in 40 games. He made 67 tackles, 23 of them coming for a loss and 14 sacks. The edge rusher was consistent throughout his time with the Bulldogs, registering at least seven tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks per season.
As a senior, Williams recorded 21 tackles with career-highs in TFLS (nine) and sacks (five). He won a national championship with Georgia in 2022 before ending his time with the Bulldogs as Second-team All-SEC recipient.
Williams may not be as refined as other prospects in the class, however, he oozes athleticism. Having him across from Montez Sweat would be a scary sight for any opposing quarterback. As he prepares to enter the NFL, Williams earned a comparison to current Buffalo Bills edge rusher Gregory Rosseau from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
“An upside prospect with loads of traits, Williams simply needs more snaps and more time to fill out his frame. He is an explosive athlete who uses his exceptional length to keep tackles and tight ends at the end of his punch,” Zierlein wrote. “He plays a little too tall at the point and needs to get stronger to shed blocks more quickly, but he plays with good physicality in the trenches and is never pushed around.”
“He’s still learning moves and counters but already has a big bull rush, good secondary effort and the closing burst to become a sack blanket in the pocket,” Zierlein concluded. “He’s not there yet, but Williams’ improvement to become an impactful 4-3 base end feels inevitable.”
With Ben Johnson as the Bears new head coach, everyone has been focused on offense. But it’s clear that defense needs to improve for Chicago to be true competitors in the NFC North. Williams gives the Bears and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a toolsy prospect to work with and an edge rusher the team can build their defense around. Sweat, Williams and Dayo Odeyingbo would be a feared trio once they all find their footing as a collective.
Bears don’t forget about offense
If Chicago is going defense in the first-round, it seems likely they’ll target offense with their two second round picks. That’s exactly what happens in Briggs’ mock, as tackle Josh Conerly Jr is selected at No. 39 while tight end Mason Taylor is picked at No. 41.
Conerly played 41 games at Oregon, ultimately ending his tenure as a First-team All-American. A true left tackle, Conerly would give the Bears real competition for incumbent starter Braxton Jones and another strong piece for Caleb Williams’ blocking scheme.
“If Ryan Poles is adamant about adding competition at left tackle and the Bears don’t get one in the first round, they likely would have to strike in Round 2,” Biggs wrote. “Conerly doesn’t have great size but had a good week at the Senior Bowl. If he’s gone, which is possible, Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery likely would be the next-best option.”
The Bears have been heavily connected to Tyler Warren with their No. 10 pick. But if he is unavailable, Taylor represents a strong pivot option. Son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, the tight end would form a lethal combo with Cole Kmet.
“The draft is loaded at running back but also is particularly good at tight end, and the idea of pairing Taylor — the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor — with Cole Kmet has to be appealing,” Biggs wrote. “If the Bears want to go with a running back, Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins could be a fit.”
Chicago will have plenty of decisions to make throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. The most important thing is that they come away with a class ready to make an immediate impact and set the tone for Johnson’s tenure with the Bears.
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