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The Chicago Bears overhauled their roster in a big way during free agency, where they shored up the offensive and defensive lines.
The Bears retooled the interior offensive line with the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as center Drew Dalman. They also added Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo to address the defensive trenches. So how does that impact their draft strategy?
General manager Ryan Poles said those veteran additions "opens the whole board for us," which means we could see Chicago go "best player available" rather than just address a specific need. And that's quite clear in these latest round of mock drafts.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where most experts believe the Bears could be targeting a running back in the first round.
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Is taking a running back this high a luxury for a team that went 5-12 last season? Maybe. But after transforming the team's offensive line and bolstering its defensive front, general manager Ryan Poles said the Bears' spring spending spree "really opens the whole board for us." Rather than merely be an additive presence, Jeanty could be the kind of figure who helps recalibrate the attack, creating big gains by slipping past would-be tacklers or bouncing off them."
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks: "Ben Johnson's immense success with a two-back rotation in Detroit could prompt Chicago to expend its top pick on a physical runner to partner with the dynamic D'Andre Swift."
ESPN's Matt Miller: "This is a best-case scenario for the Bears. Jeanty can do the same things Jahmyr Gibbs did for Ben Johnson's offense in Detroit, but with more power. Jeanty is an elite contact balance runner who does not go down on first contact. He can create his own rushing lanes and has the speed to produce chunk plays. Jeanty is also a good receiving back, with 43 catches for five touchdowns in 2023 before Boise State's offense switched to a run-heavy approach in 2024. Jeanty led the FBS with 2,750 all-purpose yards and could team with D'Andre Swift to give the Bears a fearsome run game. That, along with an interior offensive line that was bolstered with the acquisitions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman, can further aid second-year quarterback Caleb Williams' development."
The Athletic's Ben Standig: "Signing free agent Dayo Odeyingbo should not preclude the Bears from pursuing an edge defender, whether they’re monitoring a Trey Hendrickson trade or dipping into this deep class. The potential wrinkle is whether new head coach Ben Johnson wants to replicate Jahmyr Gibbs’ running back electricity in Chicago."
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco: "They upgraded their offensive line in free agency, but will continue to do so here by taking Banks to challenge Braxton Jones at left tackle. They could also consider taking a defensive edge or inside player here. But the push to fix the line will win out."
Pro Football Focus' Josh Liskiewitz: "Jeanty is a total-package backfield playmaker with impressive balance, footwork, vision, explosiveness and big-play ability — reminiscent of Alvin Kamara. He is a first-round offensive weapon who can succeed behind any blocking scheme."
*Bears trade up to No. 8 (Panthers)
FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano: "Once the Raiders moved up to No. 1, there probably was no urgency for the Bears to move up for the best running back on the board, but better safe than sorry since the Patriots, one pick down, also need offensive weapons. And if there's any doubt that the Bears would be this aggressive for a running back, remember that Ben Johnson's old team, the Lions, drafted Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall — way earlier than anyone thought he'd go — two years ago. Johnson knows what the 1-2 punch of Gibbs and David Montgomery did in Detroit. He envisions the same thing in Chicago with D'Andre Swift and Jeanty."
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "Chicago's plans for pick No. 10 have opened significantly after their aggressive pursuit of new blood on the offensive line and putting depth into the skill group. There's still an upgrade opportunity to be had at running back, but with no Jeanty on the board, Chicago can instead secure another pass rusher to play with Montez Sweat and newly acquired Dayo Odeyingbo. Stewart has perhaps the highest ceiling of any rusher in the class."
*Bears trade back to No. 18 with Seahawks
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "After narrowly losing out on Ashton Jeanty in the top 10, the Bears move down and regroup, adding another second-round pick and still landing a dual-threat back who can be their featured playmaker on all three downs. Hampton would help balance the offense and take pressure off Caleb Williams."
Draft Network's Daniel Harm: "Bringing in Grady Jarrett was a good start to improving the defensive line, and I hope he can return to his previous form. However, Montez Sweat could use a running mate opposite him in Chicago. Shemar Stewart has all the traits, power, and athleticism to be a dominant player in the NFL."
Draft Wire's Jeff Risdon: "Graham bolsters the middle-of-field defense for a Bears team that can use a young foundational piece. Omarion Hampton is an interesting sleeper pick here for new head coach Ben Johnson."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears target running backs in first round
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The Bears retooled the interior offensive line with the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as center Drew Dalman. They also added Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo to address the defensive trenches. So how does that impact their draft strategy?
General manager Ryan Poles said those veteran additions "opens the whole board for us," which means we could see Chicago go "best player available" rather than just address a specific need. And that's quite clear in these latest round of mock drafts.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where most experts believe the Bears could be targeting a running back in the first round.
USA Today: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "Is taking a running back this high a luxury for a team that went 5-12 last season? Maybe. But after transforming the team's offensive line and bolstering its defensive front, general manager Ryan Poles said the Bears' spring spending spree "really opens the whole board for us." Rather than merely be an additive presence, Jeanty could be the kind of figure who helps recalibrate the attack, creating big gains by slipping past would-be tacklers or bouncing off them."
NFL.com: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks: "Ben Johnson's immense success with a two-back rotation in Detroit could prompt Chicago to expend its top pick on a physical runner to partner with the dynamic D'Andre Swift."
ESPN: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
ESPN's Matt Miller: "This is a best-case scenario for the Bears. Jeanty can do the same things Jahmyr Gibbs did for Ben Johnson's offense in Detroit, but with more power. Jeanty is an elite contact balance runner who does not go down on first contact. He can create his own rushing lanes and has the speed to produce chunk plays. Jeanty is also a good receiving back, with 43 catches for five touchdowns in 2023 before Boise State's offense switched to a run-heavy approach in 2024. Jeanty led the FBS with 2,750 all-purpose yards and could team with D'Andre Swift to give the Bears a fearsome run game. That, along with an interior offensive line that was bolstered with the acquisitions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman, can further aid second-year quarterback Caleb Williams' development."
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The Athletic: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Athletic's Ben Standig: "Signing free agent Dayo Odeyingbo should not preclude the Bears from pursuing an edge defender, whether they’re monitoring a Trey Hendrickson trade or dipping into this deep class. The potential wrinkle is whether new head coach Ben Johnson wants to replicate Jahmyr Gibbs’ running back electricity in Chicago."
CBS Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco: "They upgraded their offensive line in free agency, but will continue to do so here by taking Banks to challenge Braxton Jones at left tackle. They could also consider taking a defensive edge or inside player here. But the push to fix the line will win out."
Pro Football Focus: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Pro Football Focus' Josh Liskiewitz: "Jeanty is a total-package backfield playmaker with impressive balance, footwork, vision, explosiveness and big-play ability — reminiscent of Alvin Kamara. He is a first-round offensive weapon who can succeed behind any blocking scheme."
FOX Sports: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*
*Bears trade up to No. 8 (Panthers)
FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano: "Once the Raiders moved up to No. 1, there probably was no urgency for the Bears to move up for the best running back on the board, but better safe than sorry since the Patriots, one pick down, also need offensive weapons. And if there's any doubt that the Bears would be this aggressive for a running back, remember that Ben Johnson's old team, the Lions, drafted Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall — way earlier than anyone thought he'd go — two years ago. Johnson knows what the 1-2 punch of Gibbs and David Montgomery did in Detroit. He envisions the same thing in Chicago with D'Andre Swift and Jeanty."
33rd Team: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "Chicago's plans for pick No. 10 have opened significantly after their aggressive pursuit of new blood on the offensive line and putting depth into the skill group. There's still an upgrade opportunity to be had at running back, but with no Jeanty on the board, Chicago can instead secure another pass rusher to play with Montez Sweat and newly acquired Dayo Odeyingbo. Stewart has perhaps the highest ceiling of any rusher in the class."
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Athlon Sports: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina*
*Bears trade back to No. 18 with Seahawks
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "After narrowly losing out on Ashton Jeanty in the top 10, the Bears move down and regroup, adding another second-round pick and still landing a dual-threat back who can be their featured playmaker on all three downs. Hampton would help balance the offense and take pressure off Caleb Williams."
Draft Network: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Draft Network's Daniel Harm: "Bringing in Grady Jarrett was a good start to improving the defensive line, and I hope he can return to his previous form. However, Montez Sweat could use a running mate opposite him in Chicago. Shemar Stewart has all the traits, power, and athleticism to be a dominant player in the NFL."
Draft Wire: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Draft Wire's Jeff Risdon: "Graham bolsters the middle-of-field defense for a Bears team that can use a young foundational piece. Omarion Hampton is an interesting sleeper pick here for new head coach Ben Johnson."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears target running backs in first round
Continue reading...
