NFL draft week finally has arrived. General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson have spoken optimistically about what the Chicago Bears can accomplish, particularly with four selections in the top 72.
As the plans come together in Lake Forest and the Bears ready for another pivotal period in their offseason, Tribune writers Brad Biggs, Sean Hammond and Dan Wiederer offer their perspective and insight on four key topics in fill-in-the-blank format.
1. The Bears’ biggest need going into draft weekend is ____.
Brad Biggs: An impact player at No. 10.
Yes, they need a left tackle to compete for the job with Braxton Jones still rehabilitating from ankle surgery and Kiran Amegadjie an unknown after a rookie season clouded by his own rehab process. But if there isn’t one to select in the first round — and there’s a decent chance LSU’s Will Campbell will be off the board — the Bears can’t create a player who isn’t there.
They have enough needs and wants at other positions where they can create competition and add talent. Whether that’s on the defensive line, in the secondary, elsewhere on the offensive line or at running back or tight end, there’s space for an upgrade. The pick needs to be a hit for a team that, since 2008, has had only three first-round picks selected to the Pro Bowl (not added as an alternate): linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Kyle Fuller and guard Kyle Long.
Sean Hammond: The offensive line.
The Bears landed three new starters on the interior in March. That doesn’t mean they should be content. Jones needed surgery on his left ankle in the offseason. While he has started 40 games at left tackle over the last three years, it remains debatable whether he’s the long-term answer on Caleb Williams’ blind side. If Poles and Johnson can address the left tackle spot in a big way during the draft, they would feel really good about the group they’ve assembled in one offseason.
Dan Wiederer: Line depth on both sides of the ball.
Sure, the Bears did a masterful job of fortifying the interior of the offensive line in March, buying themselves flexibility to navigate the draft with eyes scanning in all directions. But finding a starter at left tackle — or at least heightened competition for Jones — sure would be nice. Poles and Johnson also understand the need to accumulate quality depth up front and should operate accordingly.
Additionally, the defensive line could use more teeth. Dennis Allen’s push to juice up the pass rush will include a focus on adding players both on the edge and inside. The Bears should aim by Saturday night to have at least two new linemen who can make an early and significant impact in 2025.
2. The Bears should be crossing their fingers that they can select ____ at No. 10.
Biggs: Will Campbell or Ashton Jeanty.
There’s probably a better chance both players are off the board before then — and perhaps in the top six selections — but if they’re going to cross their fingers, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big. Campbell could be plugged in at left tackle immediately, and Boise State running back Jeanty would be a terrific weapon for Johnson. Landing either would enhance the offense for Williams in his second season.
Let’s assume Campbell and Jeanty are not available for the Bears. In that scenario, folks around the league say Halas Hall is open for business and the team would be interested in trading down with the belief that the strength of the draft is rooted in Day 2 depth. If the Houston Texans are set on landing a left tackle, would they be willing to trade the Nos. 25, 58 (Round 2) and 89 (Round 3) picks to move up to 10 for Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks? Draft trade charts say that compensation would be a little light for the Bears, but if it’s a buyer’s market, would that be enough for Poles to move?
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Hammond: Will Campbell.
Cross the fingers. Knock on wood. Say a prayer. Do whatever you need to do because it probably won’t happen. Campbell looks like the best left tackle in the draft. That probably means he will be long gone by the time No. 10 rolls around. The New England Patriots at No. 4 or New York Jets at No. 7 are strong possibilities to select a tackle. Perhaps another team is in the mix too.
The Bears should be hoping other teams are scared off by Campbell’s shorter-than-ideal arms. Assuming Campbell is gone by the 10th pick, Banks looks like he could be a good fit at left tackle. Of course, if Jeanty is still available, the Bears need to consider him.
Wiederer: Mason Graham.
As we talked about above, the effort to strengthen the defensive line should be concerted this week. And if Graham somehow falls to No. 10, the Bears should be ecstatic. The two-time All-America defensive tackle from Michigan has a high-level feel for the game and football character that’s off the charts.
Graham’s background as a standout high school wrestler is also notable in the way he understands leverage and plays to his strengths. It’s difficult to find players with the combination of power, balance and instincts Graham has. He would be a Day 1 starter with the potential to be a difference maker well into the 2030s.
3. Through his first three drafts, general manager Ryan Poles’ performance has been ____.
Biggs: OK.
Make no mistake, Williams’ future is likely to define Poles’ tenure. If he’s a hit, it will be so much easier for other things to fall into place. If not, the Bears will be scrambling in less time than you might imagine.
It’s a little premature to make full judgments on defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, second-round picks in 2023. If they take off, that would make the first three drafts look productive. But they need to elevate their games for the new coaching staff this season. Getting Jones in Round 5 in 2022 was a shrewd move, but the Bears need more Day 2 and Day 3 hits.
Hammond: A learning experience.
There’s still a chance the answer could be “foundation-setting,” but the jury remains out on many of his top picks, most notably Williams. If you get the quarterback right, that solves a lot of problems. This will be a big season for Williams, and Poles has a lot riding on the young quarterback’s shoulders.
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Poles, who was 36 when he took over in 2022, has had a few years to learn on the job. All of his first- and second-round selections remain on the team and have the potential to be significant contributors, if not foundational pieces. The counterargument is Poles’ success rate once he hits Round 3 (Velus Jones Jr., Zacch Pickens and Kiran Amegadjie) doesn’t look quite as promising. Beyond that, it’s easy to nitpick Day 3 picks. To some extent, those are all dart throws.
Wiederer: Subpar.
The Bears have been celebrating this month’s contract extension for cornerback Kyler Gordon, who was Poles’ first draft pick in Round 2 in 2022. And that excitement is understandable. Gordon was a promising prospect who has developed into an impact playmaker and now is under contract through 2028. But of the other 25 players Poles has taken in his first three drafts, it’s hard to say definitively whether more than two or three will become second-contract players with the Bears.
Five players from Poles’ initial draft class are gone, including Velus Jones, who was a massive miss as a third-round selection. And it’s arguable that Poles hasn’t had an impact hit outside of the top 40 picks. (Braxton Jones may be the lone candidate.) Simply put, after promising to build a championship contender through the draft, Poles hasn’t built much. This is a pivotal draft to change that.
4. When it comes to upgrading his offense, new coach Ben Johnson should be pushing for ____.
Biggs: A potential No. 1 running back who can pair well with D’Andre Swift.
Fortunately for the Bears, this is a terrific class of running backs to consider, and they should be well-positioned to add one with three Day 2 picks: two in the second round and one in the third. It’s a bonus when needs align with strengths in the draft, and Johnson should feel confident about the prospect of bolstering the backfield.
Hammond: Whatever makes life easier for Williams.
I made my opinion pretty clear above. Left tackle is a key spot. At the same time, if you want to argue that the Bears need to draft a playmaker at No. 10, you could talk me into it.
Is Tyler Warren the type of tight end who would allow Johnson’s play-calling creativity to flourish and give Williams a rock-solid target? If the answer is yes, then I would understand the move. Or if Jeanty is there and he’s too good to pass up? Go for it. But if the Bears do that, they better be darn sure they get it right. The offense needs a good player who will be reliable for the quarterback, whether he’s blocking on the blind side or catching passes.
Wiederer: Weaponry.
We’ve acknowledged the push to add to the offensive line. But the Bears also would be well-served to add multiple weapons to Johnson’s attack. Yes, they have plenty of established playmakers with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and Swift. But all three of those positions — wide receiver, tight end and running back — need to be strengthened.
Running back may be the Bears’ biggest need. And as fate would have it, this running back draft class has been cast as one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory. Dreams of a union with Jeanty in Round 1 are understandable. He’s on a fast track to becoming an NFL star. But even if the Bears wait until Friday, terrific backfield options should be available at Nos. 39 and 41, potentially including Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo and Central Florida’s RJ Harvey.
