The Chicago Bears feel positioned for success in this week’s NFL draft after a flurry of trades and free-agent signings in March solidified their roster.
General manager Ryan Poles believes the Bears now have the flexibility to adjust to however the top of the first round unfolds Thursday night. And equipped with the No. 10 pick, the Bears are determined to land a difference maker as the headliner of their 2025 draft class.
The consensus within league circles is that this year’s class is low on elite prospects, a list that might not extend further than Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. But the next tier is incredibly deep, which should give the Bears an exciting menu to select from at No. 10 regardless of what happens in front of them.
With that in mind, Tribune writers Dan Wiederer and Sean Hammond assembled a list of 12 players who would make sense for the Bears to consider with the 10th pick, with comments from draft analysts via conference calls.
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- 2025 NFL draft: Everything you need to know, including when the Bears pick and how to watch
- Brad Biggs’ NFL mock draft 3.0: Who will the Bears select with their top 3 picks?
- Column: Buckle up. The Bears are well-positioned in an NFL draft that could get ‘wild.’
- What is the Bears’ biggest need? Who would be the top prize at No. 10? 4 NFL draft questions.
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1. Will Campbell, LSU offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 319 pounds
Why the Bears will draft him: Campbell might be the best offensive tackle in the draft. The Bears spent the free-agency period rebuilding the interior of their offensive line but could be looking for an upgrade at left tackle.
Campbell’s arms, at 32 5/8 inches, are not the ideal length for an NFL tackle, but he started 38 games at left tackle in the SEC and was an impact player. His tape shows a highly capable lineman who is exceptionally athletic for his size and was a first-team All-American while playing in the nation’s toughest conference.
If the Bears take Campbell at No. 10, it’s because they believe he can flat-out play and the arm-length debate is overblown.
Why they won’t: If Campbell is, indeed, the best tackle in the draft, he might not make it to No. 10. A handful of teams ahead of the Bears could be in the market for offensive line help. (Keep an eye on the Patriots and Jets.) This draft has some intriguing options at edge rusher, another area of need for the Bears. It could come down to the Bears electing to divert attention elsewhere at No. 10.
It’s also worth noting that some teams see Campbell’s arm length as a red flag. Size does matter. Additionally, the Bears simply could be confident in the offensive line additions they’ve already made or could opt to address their tackle need on Day 2.
Last year I found that roughly one-third of college tackles taken in the NFL draft kick inside to guard as rookies.
Expanding on that, here is an estimate of the likelihood of a tackle moving inside based on arm length. 50/50 point is right at 33 inches.
Data: PFF & NFL dot com pic.twitter.com/lZR1YRPaWJ
— Anthony Reinhard (@reinhardNFL) February 25, 2025
Analyst’s take: “Is (arm length) an issue? Some guys have arm length and don’t use it. Some guys utilize it properly. Some offensive line coaches will say it’s not as big a deal as it is. Some will say it’s a huge deal. So there are varying opinions on arm length. But the majority of the top left tackles have an arm length of 34-plus. So he would have to be an outlier. Do you draft an outlier in the top 10?” — Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
2. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State running back
Height, weight: 5-8, 211
Why the Bears will draft him: How high is too high to draft a running back? Elite running backs are hard to come by, and the consensus seems to be that Jeanty has all the tools to be elite. If the Bears think adding Jeanty at No. 10 would instantly improve their offense, they won’t hesitate to grab him.
Ben Johnson was the offensive coordinator in Detroit two years ago when the Lions selected running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12. The Lions built one of the NFL’s most potent offenses by focusing on the trenches and reimagining the running back room.
It feels like the Bears will look to add a running back at some point in this draft. The question is: How high is too high?
Why they won’t: Have the Bears done enough in the trenches to feel comfortable passing on potential help there? The defense needs an edge rusher. The offense arguably needs a left tackle. So is now the time to add a running back with a top-10 pick? Those are the types of debates Poles and Johnson likely have been working through this spring.
There’s also reason to believe Jeanty might not be available at No. 10. NFL teams have worked hard in recent years to take away the deep passing attack. Passing yards per game in 2024 reached the lowest point since 2008. The running game is making a comeback, and some teams might be reevaluating their philosophies around the position. Jeanty easily could be gone before the Bears have a chance to get him.
Last, the depth of this running back class is highly regarded, meaning the Bears could comfortably wait until Round 2 to add a playmaker to their backfield and still be choosing from a talent-filled menu.
Analyst’s take: “Ashton Jeanty, on ability, is my fourth-highest-rated player. Hell of a back. We talk about contact balance. He’s as good as it gets: runs with authority, runs with passion, catches the ball and will block. He’s just a great kid and a great football player.” — Kiper
3. Mason Graham, Michigan defensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-3, 296
Why the Bears will draft him: There’s a strong chance Graham will be off the board when the Bears go on the clock at No. 10, but if he’s not, Poles may be tempted to submit his pick instantly. The Bears also might have an urge to trade up. Graham is that good, a game wrecker on the interior of the defensive line who offers a special blend of quickness, strength and intelligence.
Graham was a two-time All-American over three seasons at Michigan, started 27 games and was a key contributor on a national championship defense in 2023. Last season he recorded 45 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and 3½ sacks.
Poles and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen have talked about the Bears pass rush needing to become more effective at puncturing the pocket. Graham would immediately aid that cause. He was a California high school state champion wrestler who has an elite motor plus an understanding of leverage and body control that makes him a headache for offensive linemen.
Simply put, Graham is the kind of draft-and-develop prospect who has a chance to be a cornerstone for a defense for the next decade.
Why they won’t: Graham doesn’t always pass the eye test physically. His 32-inch arm length is a concern for some talent evaluators who wonder if that will limit his effectiveness at the next level. Graham also weighed in below 300 pounds at the combine, heightening the scrutiny of his size. His power will be tested weekly by the grown men who play on NFL offensive lines.
Plus, with last month’s signing of veteran Grady Jarrett, the Bears might opt to address more pressing needs with their first-round pick.
Analyst’s take: “You can see there’s a wrestling background there. He’s just never on the ground. He gets underneath guys. When I was looking at my notes, I had ‘block destruction’ written down so many different times. He is just a really aggressive player who has instincts and can dominate the game against the run. And I think he has more to offer as a pass rusher.” — Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
4. Tyler Warren, Penn State tight end
Height, weight: 6-5, 256
Why the Bears will draft him: Warren is a do-it-all weapon, helping Penn State reach the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. He caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards with eight touchdowns and chipped in with 218 rushing yards plus four scores. He even had three completions for 35 yards and a touchdown. It’s easy to envision a creative offensive mastermind like Johnson gravitating to that versatility and pushing to add a dynamic new piece to his chess board.
Warren has been likened to future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski in regard to his strength, physicality and athleticism. He’s rugged and tough when competing for contested catches or trying to run over defenders with the ball in his hands. On top of that, he was lauded throughout his college career for his leadership, confidence and unrelenting competitiveness.
Why they won’t: The Bears have more pressing needs and might steer in a different direction. Additionally, as physical as Warren is, he isn’t considered an elite blocker and figures to have more difficulty getting open in the NFL. His route running will need refinement to help him create better separation.
Analyst’s take: “Any team looking for a chess piece who you can just move around and give opposing defensive coordinators a lot of sleepless nights, Tyler Warren is that guy. With the ball in his hands, he is so, so good. You can put him in the Wildcat (formation). You can use him as an H-back. You can use him as a move tight end and move him out wide. This is a high school quarterback, a basketball player in high school. He can do everything. And with the way Penn State got him involved this year, it allowed him to rise up the draft board and become the top tight end in this draft.” — Kiper
5. Colston Loveland, Michigan tight end
Height, weight: 6-6, 248
Why the Bears will draft him: The Bears have room to add a tight end, and it seems likely they’ll draft one at some point. How high depends on how urgently Johnson sees the position as a need.
Loveland is an elite pass-catching tight end. He’s the type of versatile player who can move all across the formation and still be dangerous. His speed and route running are at a high level for the position, and linebackers had a tough time dealing with him over the middle in college.
His skill set would allow Johnson to flex his creativity. Loveland was the top tight end and No. 2 receiver on the 2023 Michigan squad that won the national championship.
Why they won’t: Loveland isn’t an elite blocker. That doesn’t mean he’s not a capable blocker. Where he excels is on the second level, where he can use his athleticism and football IQ to open holes for ball carriers. He also played in a pro-style rushing attack at Michigan, which should translate quickly to the NFL.
If the Bears go for a tight end at No. 10, it will come down to what style they’re looking for. Much like with running back, positional value will be part of the conversation too. Is No. 10 too high for a tight end?
Analyst’s take: “He can go get it with a huge catch radius. He’s tough and physical after the catch, and in the run game he does enough. He stays connected and shows want-to. He’s one of the top 10 players in the draft for me.” — Jeremiah
6. Mykel Williams, Georgia edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-5, 260
Why the Bears will draft him: It’s no secret the Bears want to assemble a deep defensive line and top-tier pass rush. So even with Montez Sweat as the headliner and Dayo Odeyingbo joining the mix as a highly paid free-agent signee, it makes sense for Poles to chase another dynamic weapon for the front four. Plus, with Allen valuing speed and aggression, Williams registers as a highly intriguing prospect.
The assumption is his Georgia teammate Jalon Walker will be long gone by No. 10. But might Williams check all the boxes for Poles and the Bears? He wasn’t fully healthy in 2024, hampered by an ankle injury, but he flashed frequently thanks to his ability to use his length, agility and power. The tools are there, and there are few, if any, questions about his makeup. Williams also has the versatility to stand up and move around when asked to.
Why they won’t: The team that drafts Williams will be gambling on his upside. There are questions among some talent evaluators on whether Williams will develop into an elite NFL playmaker or ultimately peak as merely a solid starter. He can fall into the trap of playing too upright at times. His pass-rush repertoire needs polish and he’ll have to take to coaching at the next level to reach his full potential.
Analyst’s take: “He looks like an NBA small forward with his length. He’s just gigantic. And he’s 20 years old. Character is also off the charts. … The question for Mykel is: Is he going to be a guy who, in some people’s eyes, is going to become like a 12- or 14-sack (per season) guy? Or is he the kind of guy who’s going to be really solid and maybe hover around more of the seven- to eight-sack range?” — Field Yates, ESPN
7. Armand Membou, Missouri offensive tackle/guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 332
Why the Bears will draft him: Membou checks all the athleticism boxes Poles looks for in offensive linemen. Per NFL Research, his 4.91-second 40-yard dash was the fastest since at least 2003 by an offensive lineman who stood at least 6-4 and weighed at least 330. His 34-inch vertical and 9-foot-7 broad jump were best among offensive linemen at this year’s combine.
Membou started 30 games over three seasons at right tackle for Missouri and earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2024. Like many of the top tackles in this class, he doesn’t have ideal length. He does, however, look like he will be an immediate starter somewhere. It’s just a matter of finding the right position fit. If the Bears want a young lineman — Membou turned 21 in March — with position versatility, he looks like a strong candidate.
Why they won’t: If the Bears specifically want a left tackle, it would require a leap of faith with Membou, who played exclusively on the right side in college.
It’s a theme with this year’s tackle group, but Membou’s 33½-inch arms are half an inch shorter than the ideal benchmark. More important, though, is his college position. Darnell Wright, the No. 10 pick in 2023, is pretty locked in at right tackle for the Bears. One of Wright or Membou would have to make a position change to left tackle. While it has been done, it’s a significant change.
Analyst’s take: Kiper believes Will Campbell’s arm length does matter in the tackle debate, and it’s a big reason Membou has risen on draft boards: “(His value) has changed because of the arm length of Will Campbell. Armand Membou had a great year and he’s gone through the process and he’s moving and climbing. … Membou, he’s tempting. He’s very tempting because he’s a plug-and-play guy.”
8. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-5, 267
Why the Bears will draft him: Stewart’s athleticism is off the charts. His 40-yard dash (4.59 seconds), vertical jump (40 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-11) at the combine were all at or near the top among edge rushers. He’s an athletic freak with long arms (34 1/8 inches) and all the traits teams look for in an edge rusher.
Since Poles took over as Bears GM in 2022, the team hasn’t drafted an edge rusher higher than the fifth round. The Bears still are looking for another reliable pass rusher off the edge to complement Sweat, even after last month’s signing of Odeyingbo.
Why they won’t: There’s one major problem with Stewart’s resume. In three seasons at Texas A&M, he never totaled more than 1½ sacks in a season. This is a classic case of potential and athleticism not matching on-field results.
It’s hard to find a player of Stewart’s size who can move like he does. Some teams, though, might be turned off by the lack of production (just 4½ sacks in three seasons). In fairness, Stewart wasn’t a full-time starter until 2024. And despite the lack of sacks last season, he did pressure the quarterback often and earned third-team All-SEC honors.
But would the Bears really consider spending the No. 10 pick on a pass rusher who hasn’t proved he can regularly sack the quarterback?
Analyst’s take: “He’s a freakish talent. Shemar says he should be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Based on talent he should. He’s as talented as anybody. It’s just the production doesn’t match the talent yet. Will it in the NFL? If you can’t do it against the AOGs — I call them the ‘another occupation guys’ — can you do it against the best in the world?” — Kiper
9. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-5, 315
Why the Bears will draft him: Banks has shown natural comfort at tackle and was a dependable starter for the entirety of his three-year college career, making 42 starts for the Longhorns. He has good footwork plus natural agility and immediately would push Braxton Jones for the starting job at left tackle.
Banks also grades highly in the leadership department. He won the Outland Trophy last season, given to the best lineman on either side of the ball, and the Lombardi Award, which recognizes exceptional on-field performance as well as off-the-field discipline and character. Some talent evaluators see this as a layup pick, a “no regrets” selection that’s likely to provide an acceptable return on investment.
Why they won’t: Some around the league believe Banks may be better suited to play guard in the NFL. And the Bears don’t have an immediate need on the interior of the offensive line after last month’s trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
As a pass protector, Banks shows some inconsistency with his technique. He also needs to convince some evaluators that he can be a more tenacious finisher in the running game.
Analyst’s take: “He is thick. He is sturdy. He is athletic enough to really sink and bend. He keeps his hands in tight. He plays with patience. Sometimes he sets a little bit deep and then he ends up getting in some trouble when he kind of creates more runway. I think if he can be a little more firm and not get quite as much depth in his set that he will be able to solve that problem.” — Jeremiah
10. Will Johnson, Michigan cornerback
Height, weight: 6-2, 194
Why the Bears will draft him: There hasn’t been nearly enough talk this spring about the possibility of the Bears adding to their secondary in the first round. Cornerback remains a premium position. And outside of Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who is a shoo-in top-three pick, Johnson has a strong case as the next-best corner in this class.
A year ago at this time, he was on a trajectory to become a top-five pick himself. Johnson was an All-American on a national championship defense in 2023. His agility and instincts are impressive. He has strong ball skills. And his size could fit nicely with how Allen wants to play.
Why they won’t: Some talent evaluators have serious questions about Johnson’s top-end speed. He did nothing to quiet those concerns when he decided not to run the 40-yard dash at the combine, at Michigan’s pro day or at a subsequent individual workout for NFL teams this month.
Johnson missed the final seven games of last season with a toe injury and has battled a hamstring issue in the lead-up to the draft. He also faces questions about his abilities in run support. While Johnson has shown the ability to be productive in man coverage, he may be better suited for a zone-based system.
Analyst’s take: “There was so much hype on him coming into the season. He’s this big, athletic, rangy corner. He’s got ball production. I just do not think he played his best this year. I thought there were times where he wasn’t super interested against the run and he got trucked a couple of times. I want to see a little more physicality there.” — Jeremiah
11. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama linebacker
Height, weight: 6-3, 235
Why the Bears will draft him: If not for Travis Hunter, Campbell might be the most intriguing defensive prospect in this draft. Alabama recruited him as an edge rusher but moved him to linebacker because it already had Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner on the edge.
Campbell can do it all from the linebacker spot. If he needs to blitz or rush the passer, he can do it. If he needs to play in coverage, no problem. Last season he led Alabama with 117 combined tackles and five sacks, plus he forced two fumbles and had an interception. Any NFL defense, even one like the Bears’ with established veteran linebackers, could find a place for Campbell.
Why they won’t: Campbell had labrum surgery after the combine. It’s hard to say what his timeline for recovery will be, but he likely will miss the spring practice period and potentially the start of training camp. Linebacker isn’t the Bears’ most pressing need either. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards both return in 2025. Jack Sanborn walked away in free agency, but the Bears used three linebackers on just 22% of defensive snaps last season.
With holes elsewhere, this may be a luxury the Bears don’t need right now. It could be more prudent to find an edge rusher. Campbell’s size and versatility are somewhat reminiscent of Micah Parsons, who was an off-ball linebacker coming out of Penn State. But projecting Campbell as a full-time edge rusher leaves a lot of unknowns.
Analyst’s take: “He’s very much a modern NFL linebacker in the sense that he’s got 53 1/3-yard range, from either sideline to the other. He can blitz. He can rush the passer. Alabama didn’t have to, nor did they choose to, use him as an edge rusher all that often. But there were occasional snaps there for Jihaad Campbell and it looked terrific. It looked game-changing. It looked like the kind of thing that, if you made him a full-time pass rusher, he might be able to hold up his end of the bargain pretty well.” — Yates
12. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee edge rusher
Height, weight: 6-5, 245
Why the Bears will draft him: With an eye-catching combination of length and explosion, Pearce is a block of clay just waiting to be molded. He could become an intriguing project for Allen to take on.
Over three seasons at Tennessee, Pearce was consistently disruptive and produced 19½ sacks, 29½ tackles for a loss, 27 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception return for a touchdown. He was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection and has shown a knack for using his length and burst as a weapon.
His 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds was the fastest of any defensive end at the combine, a snapshot of how sleek and athletic Pearce is. He also has the versatility to move around, which could make him a dynamic player for Allen to utilize to enhance the pass rush.
Why they won’t: Pearce has a slender build and might not have the right body type to add much mass. At times he has lacked finish to his pass rush. Some also wonder about his dependability as a run defender. Questions remain about Pearce’s upper-body strength and, given his natural build, the team that drafts him will have to find the sweet spot for bulking him up without reducing his explosiveness.
As draft night nears, the range of opinions on Pearce is wide, with some talent evaluators believing he could fall out of the first round entirely. The detailed homework of the Bears scouting department will be key in determining whether Pearce is a character fit as well.
Analyst’s take: “He’s one of those polarizing prospects where opinions are all over the place. … He has that lean, angular frame. But he’s still strong. He’s been strong at the point of attack and played the run really well in the games I watched. Plus he tested pretty well (at the combine), showing the closing ability which he also showed on tape.” — Kiper
Others on the radar
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- North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
- Marshall edge Mike Green
- Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
- Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
