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The Chicago Bears have been dubbed winners of free agency after a couple of weeks of moves that included overhauling the entire interior offensive line and shoring up the defensive line through trades and signings.
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. One of the popular non-offensive or defensive line players mocked to the Bears is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who could help elevate this run game.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Bears will turn their attention to a top offensive skill player, including Jeanty, at 10th overall after the first wave of free agency.
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "It might be too early to declare mission accomplished on the Bears' overhaul of their interior offensive line, but the drastic moves could indicate that Chicago is prepared to look to a different avenue of support for Caleb Williams. Adding Jeanty would change the entire complexion of the offense Ben Johnson is set to implement, with the tackle-breaking machine likely to prompt more loaded boxes and favorable looks for Williams in Year 2."
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Chicago has made wholesale additions to its roster, which could allow them to make what would have been considered a luxury selection just a few weeks ago. Ashton Jeanty is a net positive in both the run and pass games, which should take pressure off of young quarterback Caleb Williams."
FOX Sports' David Helman: "It'd be a hell of a lot of fun to drop Ashton Jeanty behind this new-look Chicago offensive line, but for some reason I don't expect Ben Johnson to do that. The Bears have solid backs, and this is a deep class at that position. Instead, we're going to do the responsible thing and complete this offensive line makeover by drafting a franchise left tackle who also has the ability to play guard, if needed."
NBC Sports' Eric Froton: "We don’t have a betting line on first interior defensive lineman to be selected yet, but Graham will be at the very top of the list thanks to his excellent tape, ripping through Big Ten offenses. He is a comfortable -270 favorite over his teammate Kenneth Grant (+3,700) and a host of edges to be the second DL selected."
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "The Bears have been aggressive in filling their biggest needs with free agents and trade aquisitions, which would free them up to make a luxury pick like this. Jeanty is one of the three truly elite players in this draft, regardless of position."
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "The Bears jumped on the "player acquisition" deal early this past week by agreeing to terms for trades that brought Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to the Windy City. With some offensive line pressure addressed and free agency waiting, Chicago is suddenly a viable landing spot for standout RB Ashton Jeanty."
Sports Illustrated's Alan Goldshar: "GM Ryan Poles used his free agent bucks on both the offensive and the defensive lines, giving him the freedom to grab the draft class’ top tight end, a high-ceiling do-it-all guy who’ll make head coach Ben Johnson a happy boy."
For The Win's Christian D'Andrea: "Ben Johnson's offenses in Detroit were buoyed by dominant offensive lines. But with Membou and Campbell off the board and Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson arriving via trade, Chicago's best bet may be to wait and see who slides to round two -- where the Bears have both their own and the Panthers' selection thanks to the final remnants of the Bryce Young deal. Who won't be there is Ashton Jeanty, but Omarion Hampton or Kaleb Johnson could be solid fallback options around pick No. 40. And while there will be a solid crop of tight ends after Warren, none can boast the versatility that would make him so aggressively dangerous in Johnson's game plan."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears target top skill players at No. 10
Continue reading...
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. One of the popular non-offensive or defensive line players mocked to the Bears is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who could help elevate this run game.
We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Bears will turn their attention to a top offensive skill player, including Jeanty, at 10th overall after the first wave of free agency.
USA Today: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "It might be too early to declare mission accomplished on the Bears' overhaul of their interior offensive line, but the drastic moves could indicate that Chicago is prepared to look to a different avenue of support for Caleb Williams. Adding Jeanty would change the entire complexion of the offense Ben Johnson is set to implement, with the tackle-breaking machine likely to prompt more loaded boxes and favorable looks for Williams in Year 2."
CBS Sports: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Chicago has made wholesale additions to its roster, which could allow them to make what would have been considered a luxury selection just a few weeks ago. Ashton Jeanty is a net positive in both the run and pass games, which should take pressure off of young quarterback Caleb Williams."
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FOX Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
FOX Sports' David Helman: "It'd be a hell of a lot of fun to drop Ashton Jeanty behind this new-look Chicago offensive line, but for some reason I don't expect Ben Johnson to do that. The Bears have solid backs, and this is a deep class at that position. Instead, we're going to do the responsible thing and complete this offensive line makeover by drafting a franchise left tackle who also has the ability to play guard, if needed."
NBC Sports: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
NBC Sports' Eric Froton: "We don’t have a betting line on first interior defensive lineman to be selected yet, but Graham will be at the very top of the list thanks to his excellent tape, ripping through Big Ten offenses. He is a comfortable -270 favorite over his teammate Kenneth Grant (+3,700) and a host of edges to be the second DL selected."
Athlon Sports: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "The Bears have been aggressive in filling their biggest needs with free agents and trade aquisitions, which would free them up to make a luxury pick like this. Jeanty is one of the three truly elite players in this draft, regardless of position."
33rd Team: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "The Bears jumped on the "player acquisition" deal early this past week by agreeing to terms for trades that brought Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to the Windy City. With some offensive line pressure addressed and free agency waiting, Chicago is suddenly a viable landing spot for standout RB Ashton Jeanty."
Sports Illustrated: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Sports Illustrated's Alan Goldshar: "GM Ryan Poles used his free agent bucks on both the offensive and the defensive lines, giving him the freedom to grab the draft class’ top tight end, a high-ceiling do-it-all guy who’ll make head coach Ben Johnson a happy boy."
For The Win: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
For The Win's Christian D'Andrea: "Ben Johnson's offenses in Detroit were buoyed by dominant offensive lines. But with Membou and Campbell off the board and Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson arriving via trade, Chicago's best bet may be to wait and see who slides to round two -- where the Bears have both their own and the Panthers' selection thanks to the final remnants of the Bryce Young deal. Who won't be there is Ashton Jeanty, but Omarion Hampton or Kaleb Johnson could be solid fallback options around pick No. 40. And while there will be a solid crop of tight ends after Warren, none can boast the versatility that would make him so aggressively dangerous in Johnson's game plan."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears target top skill players at No. 10
Continue reading...
