The 2025 NFL draft is just around the corner, and the Chicago Bears are finalizing their draft preparations before welcoming a new group of rookies to the roster.
The Bears are primed to add some playmakers to their roster with four picks in the Top 75, including the 10th overall selection and two high second rounders. After some offseason moves to shore up their biggest needs, they have flexibility to draft the best available player rather than for need.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his seven-round mock draft with just about a week until the NFL draft. For the Bears, they shopped exclusively in the Big Ten as they added weapons for Ben Johnson, continued to prioritize the offensive and defensive lines while adding other pieces on defense.
We’re breaking down The Athletic’s latest mock:
Round 1, Pick 1: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
At this point, Will Campbell, Ashton Jeanty, Mason Graham and Armand Membou are all off the board for Chicago, but it’s still about the best player available after the team addressed their needs in the trenches this offseason. After Ben Johnson explained how Tyler Warren jumped off the screen — and how he left defensive coordinator Dennis Allen impressed — this would make a ton of sense for the Bears at 10th overall. Warren is one of the top playmakers in this draft, and he would thrive in Ben Johnson’s offense with his ability to line up anywhere and create mismatches. A 1-2 punch of Cole Kmet and Warren would be huge for this offense.
Round 2, Pick 39: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Chicago has indicated they’re looking to add a running back in the NFL draft, and there are plenty of options in a deep class. With Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton long gone by Day 2, the Bears still have options at running back with their second round picks. TreVeyon Henderson hasn’t received as much hype as Jeanty and Hampton, but he’s a dynamic running back who could thrive in this offense. He’s a weapon as a runner and pass catcher and hasn’t fumbled since his freshman year at Ohio State. As for what Henderson’s arrival would mean for D’Andre Swift, who has a similar skillset, that remains to be seen.
Round 2, Pick 41: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
After electing to go skill players with their first two selections, the Bears finally circle back to the trenches and find their potential left tackle of the future in Aireontae Ersery. Braxton Jones has solid at left tackle for the past three seasons, but he’s also coming off a fractured ankle injury that will have him limited at the start of training camp. Jones is entering a contract year, where he hasn’t necessarily proven to be the long-term answer, so there would be an opportunity for Ersery to compete for the starting job along with second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie.
Round 3, Pick 72: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Make that back-to-back picks in the trenches for Chicago. The Bears addressed their pass rush with the additions of Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, but there’s still work to be done opposite Montez Sweat. Landing Jack Sawyer, who was a game wrecker for the Buckeyes, would be a huge get for Dennis Allen’s defense. While he’s not an elite pass rusher, like some of his draft counterparts, he was still highly productive against some great competition in college. Sawyer will also make an impact as a run defender, which is an area where Chicago needs to improve.
Round 5, Pick 148: Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State
While safety isn’t a pressing need, there are certainly questions about the future of the position with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker both entering contract years. Brisker could very well earn a contract extension, ala Kyler Gordon, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season. Byard stepped up in Brisker’s absence last season and also proved to be a team leader during a difficult 5-12 season. With their futures up in the air, it’s not a bad idea to add another safety to the mix in Jaylen Reed on Day 3. Reed possesses that aggressive mentality that Dennis Allen is looking for from his players, but there are mixed feelings from analysts about Reed’s ability in coverage.
Round 7, Pick 233: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
Linebacker isn’t one of the biggest needs on the roster with T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds leading the charge. But the Bears need to find a replacement for Jack Sanborn, who departed for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, and adding Cody Lindenberg in the seventh round would be a big get for Chicago. Lindenberg is an instinctive player who doesn’t possess high-end athleticism. But he has good size and eyes to develop into a contributor, similar to Sanborn.
Round 7, Pick 240: Kyonte Hamilton, DT, Rutgers
The Bears wrap things up with another addition to the trenches with Kyonte Hamilton, who joins a defensive tackle group featuring Gervon Dexter Sr., Andrew Billings and newcomer Grady Jarrett. Hamilton, a former high school wrestler, moved all over the line with Rutgers, and he’d be worth taking a flier on in the seventh round.
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