After free agency, the NFL Combine and a full offseason, the Chicago Bears are inching closer to the 2025 NFL Draft.
We’ve already heard from general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson on the options the Bears have at the top of the draft.
The moves they’ve made set them up nicely.
“I really believe that we can look at the draft as a situation where you take best available, which is really important,” Poles said at the NFL Owner’s Meetings in Florida.
That can apply to the No. 10 overall pick.
But what about after that?
Here’s what the Bears’ approach to the 2025 NFL Draft could look like.
What the Chicago Bears could do at No. 10 overall
Poles and Johnson have been clear about this for a while. The offseason moves the Bears made can allow them to choose the best player remaining on their board.
“This really opens the whole board for us,” Poles said on March 12. “We’re going to be able to sit back and look and say what’s the best thing to do for the Chicago Bears?
That’s good for the Bears. It also means it depends on how the top nine picks ahead of them shake out.
It’s also possible the Bears won’t wait. NFL Films and other mediums captured Poles’ desire to trade up for who he wants instead of letting the pieces fall where they may. That might get expensive.
But, it would fit in Bears’ desire to find a player at No. 10 overall that could make an impact on Day 1.
“Who’s the best player that can impact?” Poles said on March 12. “We got some tough decisions and a lot of film to watch between now and the draft.”
First-round prospects to know
Tyler Warren, TE – Penn State
Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State
Will Campbell, OT – LSU
Armand Membou, OT – Missouri
Mykel Williams, EDGE – Georgia
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas
Shemar Stewart, EDGE – Texas A&M
What could the Chicago Bears focus on in the second round?
The interesting facet of the draft this year is the number of talented players there are after the first round.
When it comes to blue-chip prospects, there aren’t very many. But, that’s also normal. What’s interesting is how the Bears grade out the next tier of players after the blue-chip prospects.
“There’s a wide range of really good starting level players that are going to range from probably single digits all the way to 50, 60, 70,” Poles said at the NFL Owner’s Meetings.