Let’s be real for a second. The Chicago Bears are in a spot they haven’t occupied in, well, maybe forever. They have the quarterback. Caleb Williams is the guy, and despite the typical rookie growing pains and the mid-season coaching chaos of 2024, the vision is finally clear. But a quarterback alone is just a guy standing in a field if you don't protect him or give him a defense that can actually hold a lead. That’s why the 2025 Bears mock draft cycle feels so much heavier than usual. It’s not about finding a savior anymore. It’s about building the fortress around the one they already have.
Ryan Poles has been a bit of a tightrope walker. He’s traded away picks for proven vets like Montez Sweat and Keenan Allen, which leaves the Bears with a bit of a "quality over quantity" problem heading into April. They don't have a 15-pick war chest. They have specific, glaring holes.
The Offensive Line Reality Check
If you watched any Bears football last season, you saw it. You saw Caleb running for his life, not because he wanted to be a hero, but because the interior of that line was occasionally a sieve. The consensus among scouts like Dane Brugler and the folks over at Pro Football Focus is that the 2025 class is actually quite deep at tackle, but the elite, "plug-and-play" guards and centers are a rarer breed.
Most people looking at a 2025 Bears mock draft want to see a shiny new blindside protector. It makes sense. Braxton Jones is solid, but is he "elite"? Probably not. However, the real disaster was the revolving door at center. Coleman Shelton was a stopgap. Nate Davis? Let’s just say that didn't work out. If the Bears are sitting in the middle of the first round, they have to decide if they want to reach for a guy like Tyler Booker from Alabama or maybe Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas if he slides.
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Banks is a beast. He’s 320-plus pounds of pure leverage. If he's there, you don't think; you just turn in the card. But the Bears might not be picking high enough for the blue-chip tackles.
Why Defensive End Might Be the Secret Priority
We have to talk about the pass rush. Montez Sweat changed the entire identity of the defense when he arrived from Washington, but he’s basically been Batman without a Robin. DeMarcus Walker is a high-motor guy, but he’s not a consistent 10-sack threat.
In many versions of a 2025 Bears mock draft, the name James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee keeps popping up. He’s explosive. He has that "dip and rip" move that makes NFL tackles look like they’re standing in wet cement. Imagine a world where teams can’t just double-team Sweat every single third down. That changes the math for the secondary. It makes Jaylon Johnson even more dangerous because the ball has to come out in 2.2 seconds.
Honestly, if the Bears go defense in the first round, it’s a signal. It means they trust the offensive talent they have and believe that a top-5 defense is the fastest way to a Super Bowl. It worked for the '85 team, right? Not that we should compare anyone to that squad, but the blueprint is there.
The Mid-Round Tightrope
Since the Bears traded their second-round pick in the Montez Sweat deal (worth it, by the way), the gap between their first and third-round selections is going to feel like an eternity. This is where Ryan Poles earns his paycheck. He needs to find starters in the third and fourth rounds.
Look at players like Jonah Savaiinaea from Arizona. He has versatility. He’s played tackle, he can play guard. That’s the kind of "boring" pick that actually wins divisions. Or maybe a big-bodied receiver. Even with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, the Bears need a reliable third option if Keenan Allen isn't part of the long-term plan. Someone like Tetairoa McMillan would be a dream, but he’s going in the top ten. More realistically? Look for a guy like Jalen Royals from Utah State in the later rounds. He’s quick, he’s a route-running technician, and he would thrive in the slot while the defenses are busy worrying about Rome.
Evaluating the Top Targets in the 2025 Bears Mock Draft
When you dig into the tape of the guys likely to be available when Chicago is on the clock, a few names keep surfacing. It’s a mix of "need" and "best player available," a balance Poles has struggled with occasionally in the past.
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU: He’s been a starter since he was a freshman in the SEC. You can't buy that kind of experience. He’s technically sound and rarely gets beaten by pure speed.
- Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M: A massive human being who moved from Purdue to the Aggies and didn't miss a beat. He’s more of a power rusher, which fits the Eberflus mold.
- Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU: Campbell’s teammate. Some actually think he has a higher ceiling because of his raw athleticism.
The interesting thing about the 2025 Bears mock draft landscape is the lack of "consensus." Aside from the quarterbacks at the top (who the Bears obviously won't touch), the board is wide open. This usually leads to chaos, and chaos is where a disciplined GM can find a steal.
The Defensive Tackle Problem
We can't ignore the 3-technique. In Matt Eberflus' defense, the 3-tech is the engine. Gervon Dexter Sr. showed massive flashes in 2024. He’s huge, he’s getting faster off the ball, and he’s starting to understand how to use his hands. But you need a rotation.
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If Tyleik Williams from Ohio State falls to the second round—wait, the Bears don't have a second. If he falls to the late first and the Bears trade back? That’s the dream. Williams is a gap-shooter. He disrupts the rhythm of the offense before the handoff even happens. Adding him next to Dexter would give the Bears one of the youngest, most terrifying interior duos in the NFC North.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bears Draft Strategy
The loudest voices on social media always scream for the flashy pick. They want the 6'4" receiver who runs a 4.3. But look at the successful teams in the playoffs. Look at the Lions. They built through the trenches. Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker are the reason Jared Goff looks like an All-Pro.
The biggest mistake people make when putting together a 2025 Bears mock draft is ignoring the "boring" interior line. If the Bears pick a guard in the first round, fans might boo. They’ll say it’s a waste of value. They’ll be wrong. Protecting Caleb Williams is the only thing that matters for the next decade. If he gets David Carr’d—sacked so many times he develops permanent "ghosts" in the pocket—the franchise is set back another twenty years.
Navigating the Lack of Draft Capital
Let’s talk trades. Ryan Poles loves to move. Don't be surprised if the Bears trade down from their first-round spot to pick up an extra second and third. If they are sitting at pick 14 and the "elite" tackles are gone, moving back to 22 and picking up a 2nd rounder is the smartest move on the board.
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In that scenario, you could grab an interior lineman like Parker Brailsford and still have a shot at a high-end edge rusher in the second. It’s about volume. One superstar is great, but three high-quality starters are better for a roster that still has depth issues at linebacker and safety.
The Safety Valve
Speaking of safety, Kevin Byard isn't getting any younger. Jaquan Brisker is a stud, but he’s dealt with some injury concerns. A late-round flyer on a guy like Malaki Starks (unlikely to fall) or maybe a developmental prospect like Billy Bowman Jr. from Oklahoma makes a ton of sense. You need guys who can play special teams immediately while learning the scheme.
Practical Next Steps for Following the 2025 Bears Mock Draft Cycle
The draft isn't just one weekend in April; it’s a six-month process of information gathering. If you want to stay ahead of what the Bears are actually going to do, you need to watch the right signals.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: This is where Ryan Poles and his staff do their best work. They love guys who show up in Mobile and compete. Keep an eye on which offensive linemen are winning their 1-on-1 drills against high-level competition.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff Changes: If there is a change at offensive coordinator or head coach, the "type" of player they look for will shift. A wide-zone blocking scheme requires smaller, more athletic linemen. A gap-heavy scheme requires the "maulers."
- Check the Combine Agility Scores: For the Bears' defensive line, the 10-yard split is more important than the 40-yard dash. They want explosive first steps.
- Keep an eye on the Salary Cap: If the Bears spend big on a veteran guard in free agency, you can almost guarantee they will go EDGE or WR in the first round.
The 2025 Bears mock draft season is going to be a wild ride. For the first time in a long time, the Bears aren't looking for a savior. They're looking for the final pieces of a puzzle that might actually result in a championship contender. It’s a different kind of pressure, but honestly? It’s a lot more fun.
The reality is that this roster is close. One great draft—even with limited picks—could be the difference between a 9-8 season and a deep January run. Pay attention to the trenches, ignore the mock drafts that give them a quarterback (obviously), and watch how Poles manages his limited assets. That’s where the real story is.