Chicago Bears fans, buckle up. The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the wildest in recent memory—and not just because of the usual late-night surprises or Twitter meltdowns. With uncertainty swirling around quarterback talent, a limited supply of blue-chip players, and a handful of rising prospects gaining momentum, the Bears could once again be the team that flips the script on draft night.
Remember the 2023 NFL Draft? General Manager Ryan Poles made headlines by selecting right tackle Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall—a move that stunned many analysts. Wright, considered a late first-rounder by most, leapfrogged higher-ranked tackles like Paris Johnson Jr. and Peter Skoronski to become the second offensive lineman off the board. Two years later, Wright looks like a franchise cornerstone on the right side of Chicago’s offensive line.
Could lightning strike twice?
In 2025, the Bears are once again sitting at No. 10. And once again, there’s a whole lot of noise and not much clarity about what’s going to happen between picks six and ten. The top of the draft seems predictable enough: quarterback Cam Ward is the only QB likely to be selected in the top 10, while two generational defenders—Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter—are locks for the top three. Beyond that, it’s a free-for-all.
Two names that have caught the eyes of many scouts—especially The Athletic’s Adam Jahns—are Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Both are dynamic offensive weapons who could become immediate difference-makers. But are they what the Bears need right now? And more importantly, will they even be available at No. 10?
History shows the Bears love to target premium positions in the first round. That means edge rushers and offensive tackles are always going to be high on their radar. Which brings us to two intriguing wild cards: Georgia’s Mykel Williams and Oregon’s Josh Conerly.
Let’s start with Williams. On paper, his 2024 season wasn’t dominant. Injuries hampered his production and left scouts with more questions than answers. But watch the tape, and you’ll see why he still might be a top-10 pick. Williams boasts rare physical traits—elite length, upper-body strength, and raw explosiveness. Dane Brugler of The Athletic compares him to Jason Pierre-Paul, projecting Williams as a high-upside edge rusher with NFL-starter potential. He might not be the cleanest prospect, but his ceiling is enormous.
If the Bears believe in developing talent, Williams could be their guy.
Then there’s Conerly—a more polished, technically sound tackle with the kind of athleticism teams dream of. At Oregon, Conerly proved he could handle elite edge rushers while excelling in both run blocking and pass protection. He’s quick, agile, and owns a massive wingspan that screams long-term tackle potential. Brugler’s breakdown notes Conerly’s ability to hit second-level targets in the run game and anchor efficiently in pass sets—two traits the Bears desperately need as they look to solidify the left side of their line.
With Braxton Jones facing questions about long-term viability and injuries mounting, left tackle may have quietly become a glaring need. Conerly, with his elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) and impressive arm length (33.5 inches), checks all the boxes the Bears prioritize.
Don’t sleep on Texas’ Kelvin Banks either. He’s been a steady riser and is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the class. The concern? Some scouts believe he’s better suited for guard at the next level, which might make him less enticing at No. 10. Still, versatility and pedigree matter, and if Banks aces his interviews and workouts, he could be hard to pass up.
Another sleeper in this evolving draft equation is Michigan’s Will Campbell or Mason Graham. If either lineman unexpectedly drops, Chicago could pounce. And while Armand Membou has mostly played right tackle—a position already filled by Wright—his athleticism and ceiling could tempt a trade-down scenario or position switch.
The underlying theme here? Chaos.
This is not a draft dominated by top-end quarterbacks or consensus top-five studs at every position. It’s a draft defined by projection, potential, and how willing teams are to take a gamble. That’s where the Bears could have the edge. Ryan Poles has shown he isn’t afraid to make an unconventional move if it means locking down a long-term asset at a premium position.
Jeanty and Warren may still be on the board when the Bears pick—but that’s far from guaranteed. If they’re gone, don’t be surprised if Chicago pivots and goes all-in on a prospect like Conerly or Williams. Both players sit in the 20s on most big boards, just like Wright did in 2023. And we all saw how that turned out.
For a franchise trying to claw its way out of the NFC North basement, taking a big swing might be the only path forward. The 2025 draft isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about reading the room, trusting your board, and making the pick that elevates your roster.
So don’t be shocked if the Bears walk away from this draft with a name you weren’t expecting. That’s how stars are born.
And hey, even if you don’t love the pick at first, one thing’s for sure: Thursday night is going to be entertaining.
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