The Chicago Bears are well-positioned to add an immediate starter and key contributor in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Slated to pick No. 10 overall, on the heels of one of the more disappointing draft classes across the league in 2024, general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears have some pressure to add marquee playmakers across the roster throughout this year’s draft.
After fortifying both lines of scrimmage earlier this offseason thanks to the arrivals of Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo on defense and Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson along the offensive line, Poles and Chicago have set the stage to be able to select the best player available in each round.
How the Bears view some of the top edge rushers in a loaded class at the position juxtaposed against an offensive weapon such as running back Ashton Jeanty or tight end Tyler Warren–both frequently linked to the Bears in various mock drafts and pre-draft speculation, could be telling about what direction Chicago might take in the first round.
How NFL scout believes the Chicago Bears will approach the NFL Draft
ESPN’s Matt Miller spoke to anonymous NFL scouts to get their thoughts on how the top-10 picks of the NFL Draft will play out, including a scout surprisingly linking the Bears to Michigan cornerback Will Johnson at No. 10 overall.
“I believe in using a top-10 pick on premium positions,” the scout told Miller. “Quarterback, left tackle, pass rusher or cornerback. Johnson’s tape the last two years is of an elite cornerback.”
While Johnson is certainly one of the premier cornerbacks in this class, it’s worth questioning if cornerback is as pressing a need for the Bears as edge rusher, or linebacker, tight end, or running back are at this stage of the rebuild. There’s even an argument that one of the top wide receivers or offensive tackles could be in play before taking a cornerback.
However, Johnson, pulled down two interceptions last season while holding opposing quarterbacks to a pedestrian 52.6 passer rating when throwing his direction.
If Johnson is the best player on the board, and Poles believes that adding a cornerback would elevate a defense that’s tasked with slowing the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams twice each season, taking one of the top cornerbacks could be in play.
How cornerback and Johnson fit Chicago’s hierarchy of needs, though, won’t be revealed until the Bears send their pick in.
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1 Comment
I believe that if one of the best players don’t fail to the Bears at #10 it would be better to trade back in this draft while acquiring additional capital especially in the early second round or early third where the better chance to get the type of player that were going to need to fill out the roster with good-great Talent. Don’t drop the ball on this one, Poles, Johnson,Ownership.