Draft options abound for the Bears

The pool of players in play for the Bears in the first round of this week’s draft is as big as it’s been in a long time.

That’s what happens when you win the division and have the 25th pick. Usually — as in, seven of the past 11 drafts — the Bears have had a top-10 pick. It’s a little easier to narrow the options.

What we do know is where the Bears need the most help, and that’s on defense. There’s an opening for a starter at safety next to newcomer Coby Bryant. The defensive line didn’t rush the passer or stop the run effectively enough last season and could use reinforcements on the edge and the interior.

And then there’s offensive tackle. The Bears have five left tackles on the current roster, but do they have the guy who can start there for the next decade?

Using “The Beast,” colleague Dane Brugler’s draft guide, this final big board begins with the players at those positions around No. 25 and includes his quick snippets on each. Any one of them could be the potential first-round pick, and that collection grows if general manager Ryan Poles trades up — or back — on draft night.

Round 1, Pick No. 25

Positions of need

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (No. 18)— “A durable, versatile safety who could start in almost any coach’s defensive scheme.”

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (No. 19)— “Boasts an exciting foundation, but needs his discipline and technique to catch up.”

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (No. 23)— “A rangy, wiry safety with impressive speed who may see NFL reps as a rookie.”

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (No. 25)— “Needs more strength, technique and grit, but NFL teams are intrigued with his upside.”

Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami (No. 28)— “A disruptive force and likely three-down starter, despite age and injury concerns.”

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (No. 29)— “Has the physical traits, football IQ and toughness that NFL teams will bet on every time.”

T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson (No. 31)— “Still learning some moves, but offers playmaking potential against both run and pass.”

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (No. 32)— “A dominant run defender who will be immediately useful on early downs — if not more.”

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (No. 33)— “Fluid athlete for his size, but may need a year of development before being NFL-ready.”

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (No. 35)— “An explosive tackle who must improve his consistency at the next level.”

Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF (No. 36)— “A bit older than teams may like, but a skillful pass rusher and tough against the run.”

Zion Young, edge, Missouri (No. 37)— “Won’t scare too many NFL tackles, but sets a firm edge and may find a starting role.”

What if they pick a cornerback?

Poles and coach Ben Johnson will be adamant about taking the best player available, regardless of position. It’s a little difficult to see them going with a receiver in Round 1, but cornerback can’t be ruled out. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has his starters if the season began tomorrow, and few would gripe about the Jaylon Johnson-Tyrique Stevenson-Kyler Gordon trio, but what about the future? Here are the cornerbacks in the 25th-pick range.

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (No. 14)— “Missed 2025 with a torn ACL, but looked like an NFL starter pre-injury.”

Chris Johnson, San Diego State (No. 24)— “Hyperaware with instinctive eyes; should compete for a starting role on day one.”

Colton Hood, Tennessee (No. 30)— “A balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers; likely an early starter.”

Round 2, Picks No. 57 and 60

As we get to Day 2, that’s when two more positions enter the conversation — wide receiver and linebacker. It may be a premium to use a first-round pick on a wideout to join Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, but with an opening at the No. 3 spot, Rounds 2-3 could be a sweet spot — especially for an offensive head coach.

The Bears have their top four linebackers (T.J. Edwards, Devin Bush, D’Marco Jackson, Jack Sanborn), but, like offensive tackle, do they have the guy who can be a fixture for the long haul?

Thanks to the DJ Moore trade with Buffalo, the Bears have two second-round picks. Here are the players to keep in mind for Round 2.

Wide receiver

Chris Bell, Louisville (No. 47); Malachi Fields, Notre Dame (No. 58); Antonio Williams, Clemson (No. 59); De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss (No. 67); Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (No. 69)

Linebacker

Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (No. 40); CJ Allen, Georgia (No. 46); Jake Golday, Cincinnati (No. 48); Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (No. 50)

Defensive end

Gabe Jacas, Illinois (No. 49); Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (No. 60)

Defensive tackle

Caleb Banks, Florida (No. 52); Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (No. 55); Domonique Orange, Iowa State (No. 64)

Safety

Keionte Scott, Miami, Fla. (No. 53); A.J Haulcy, LSU (No. 70)

Offensive tackle

Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (No. 65)

Cornerback

Treydan Stukes, Arizona (No. 56); Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (No. 68)

Round 3, Pick No. 89

As Friday night gets to Round 3, that could be the prime range to find a center to take over in 2027, as Garrett Bradbury is on the last year of his contract. There are three ranked right around the Bears’ pick on Brugler’s board, all of whom have qualities that should appeal to Johnson and Poles.

This is also where our first running back comes into the conversation, unless the Bears decide to take the Jadarian Price plunge in Round 2. D’Andre Swift is in the last year of his contract.

Center

Jake Slaughter, Florida (No. 89); Sam Hecht, Kansas State (No. 92); Logan Jones, Iowa (No. 95)

Others to watch …

Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State (No. 83); Bud Clark, S, TCU (No. 84); Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas (No. 85); Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas (No. 87); Jalen Kilgore, S, South Carolina (No. 88) Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State (No. 90)

Day 3 prospects

Anything goes on Day 3, especially in the late rounds. Positional needs can go out the window as the hit rate goes down. The Bears have a fourth-round pick (No. 129) and then two seventh-rounders, so barring any movement, it’ll be a long Saturday between picks.

We’ll add two more positions to the big board — guard, a spot where the Bears could build some depth alongside Luke Newman behind the veteran starters. They hosted a few guards on visits at Halas Hall. And then there’s tight end, where they could use a No. 3, and it’s a deep draft at the position.

As far as the other positions go, we’re looking for players whose scouting reports include traits that mesh with Poles and Johnson. Play style is important. Being fanatical about football helps. And then on defense, we know that length and speed appeal to Allen. This list is organized by position and also includes players who have appeared in our mock drafts and Brugler’s seven-round mock.

Edge

Caden Curry, Ohio State; Max Llewellyn, Iowa; Logan Fano, Utah

Defensive tackle

Rayshaun Benny, Michigan; Anterio Thompson, Washington; David Gusta, Kentucky

Cornerback

Ephesians Prysock, Washington; Hezekiah Masses, California; Domani Jackson, Arizona State

Linebacker

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; Jimmy Rolder, Michigan; Justin Jefferson, Alabama; Wade Woodaz, Clemson; Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma

Guard

Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma; Beau Stephens, Iowa; Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern; Jager Burton, Kentucky

Running back

Kaelon Black, Indiana; Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M; Seth McGowan, Kentucky; Roman Hemby, Indiana

Tight end

Sam Roush, Stanford; Will Kacmarek, Ohio State; Tanner Koziol, Houston

© 2025 The Athletic Media Company. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by New York Times Licensing.