General manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears deserve some credit for leaning into this offseason’s free-agent class’s strengths, shopping at the top of the market for those strengths, and dramatically bolstering both lines of scrimmage as a result.
However, the Bears still have a surprising and somewhat pressing need that must be addressed in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. And maybe even in the early rounds.
Chicago Bears ‘surprising’ NFL Draft need revealed
As the NFL Draft nears, Bleacher Report analyst Alex Ballentine put together a list of each team’s most “surprising” need that still needs to be addressed, including linebacker for the Bears.
“The future of the linebacker position is an aspect of the roster that has mostly gone overlooked,” Ballentine writes for B/R. “T.J. Edwards is in the final year of his deal, and there’s a reasonable out in Tremaine Edmunds’ contract that should be considered after the 2025 season.
“They might find a new prospect to develop in this year’s draft. Chris Paul Jr. and Carson Schwesinger profile as intriguing options in the third round. Paul needs some time to improve his play strength while Schwesinger’s general lack of experience points to a promising projection with time.”
As Ballentine points out, even if the Bears target an offensive playmaker such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty or Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, or even add one of the top offensive tackles still on the board with the No. 10 pick, there are still options at linebacker to be found throughout the course of the draft.
Paul Jr., 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, could be a fascinating fit in Dennis Allen’s system, after posting 3.5 sacks last season at Ole Miss, and could push for immediate playing time. Last season, Pro Football Focus listed Paul as the seventh-ranked linebacker in the nation, with an 87.2 overall grade.
While the Bears could look to set the offense up for immediate success by giving Williams a weapon early, Poles and Chicago would be wise to invest at least some draft capital in the long-term viability at linebacker.
Chicago Bears go bold with 3 draft picks in Mel Kiper’s final mock draft
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