The 2025 NFL Draft is 83 days away. And with Super Bowl LIX as the only game of consequence on our radar, I am ready to turn my full attention to the offseason. Considering what the Chicago Bears have done with the hiring of Ben Johnson as their new head coach, I imagine fans are itching to get a leg up on figuring out which prospects could help their favorite team reach new heights in the year ahead.
One source of prospect goodness is the annual release of Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospect rankings. Jeremiah is a long-time NFL analyst and a former front-office executive with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. Hence, his prospect rankings carry a little more weight than some others. At a minimum, Jeremiah’s rankings do a good job of introducing us to worthwhile prospects whose names will likely pop up a bunch between now and when the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off on April 24.
Finding Chicago Bears fits in the 2025 NFL Draft using Daniel Jeremiah’s prospect rankings
Using Jeremiah’s prospect rankings, I’ve highlighted some potential players who could be good fits for the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Potential prospect fits
Will Campbell (LSU offensive tackle, 8th overall), Tyler Booker (Alabama interior offensive lineman, 14th overall), Armand Membou (Missouri interior offensive lineman, 17th overall), Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas offensive tackle, 19th overall), Josh Simmons (Ohio State offensive tackle, 30th overall), Donovan Jackson (Ohio State interior offensive lineman, 31st overall), Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon offensive tackle, 38th overall), Marcus Mbow (Purdue offensive tackle, 47th overall), Grey Zabel (North Dakota State offensive lineman, 48th overall)
There are nine (!) offensive linemen checking in among Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects who are eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. So if you are a Bears fan who has been pounding the table for Chicago’s front office to take an offensive lineman, then the names above will be of the utmost importance to you. What the team does in free agency figures to impact how it will go about navigating through the draft. But even if the Bears do make a big splash signing, it would behoove them to double up and draft a top prospect.
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It appears as if there is a sweet spot in that 30-50 range where Chicago’s football team could snag a top prospect with one of its second-round picks (if not both).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Potential prospect fits
Abdul Carter (Penn State edge, 1st overall), Mason Graham (Michigan defensive tackle, 4th overall), Jalon Walker (Georgia edge, 6th overall), Mykel Williams (Georgia edge, 16th overall), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee edge, 20th overall), Mike Green (Marshall edge, 23rd overall), Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M edge, 27th overall), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College edge, 28th overall), Jack Sawyer (Ohio State edge, 40th overall), Josiah Stewart (Michigan edge, 46th overall)
Save for the inclusion of Mason Graham, who I believe could be a game-wrecking interior defensive lineman, I limited the prospect fits here to defensive ends and edge defenders. Primarily because the Bears have a bigger need at that position than they do at the defensive tackle spot. But also because Dennis Allen’s defenses tend to have standout defensive ends coming hard off the edge to take down quarterbacks.
ABDUL CARTER DECLARES FOR THE 2025 NFL DRAFT
Allen was Khalil Mack’s first head coach in Oakland. And before his dismissal from New Orleans, Allen coached the likes of Trey Hendrickson (2017-20) and Chase Young (2024). There are others. But with Mack and Young set for free agency, I figured I’d offer up those names as options in free agency. But if the Bears don’t make a move there, then I expect them to add an impact defensive end via free the draft. One way or another, Chicago’s new defensive coordinator figures to have a shiny new toy to deploy when camp opens in July.
OTHER POTENTIAL FITS
A collection of other intriguing names who would be sensible Bears fits depending on the team’s needs when General Manager Ryan Poles goes on the clock.
Ashton Jeanty (Boise State running back, 3rd overall), Tyler Warren (Penn State tight end, 5th overall), Colston Loveland (Michigan tight end, 7th overall), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina running back, 29th overall), Mason Taylor (LSU tight end, 35th overall), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State running back, 36th overall), Elijah Arroyo (Miami tight end, 49th overall)
I did a double take when seeing how many tight ends pop up among Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects who are eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bears didn’t use their tight ends in the best way last year. But with a new coaching staff and offensive scheme, things should change in 2025. Perhaps adding another tight end to work alongside Cole Kmet could open things up in a different way. But for Chicago to land one of these prospects, I’d think it would have to trade back or wait until Round 2.
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Watching Saquon Barkley run wild all season and in the playoffs has me thinking that we could be in the midst of a running back renaissance in the NFL. You wouldn’t have to work hard to convince me that Ashton Jeanty would be an ideal fit for the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft. But only if Chicago adds at least two starting-caliber offensive linemen and a defensive end to start opposite of Montez Sweat in free agency or via trade.