Bears make strange pick in early 2025 NFL mock draft

The dust has barely settled from this year’s NFL draft, but that’s not stopping national outlets everywhere from taking an early look at what the first round could look like next year.

Over at Draft Wire, there’s a new first-round projection for the 2025 NFL draft that has the Chicago Bears making a puzzling selection, spending their top pick on Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II.

Obviously, Gordon is a stellar prospect who has put up huge numbers for the Pokes, taking home last year’s Doak Walker Award as the best running back in college football. He’s got the talent to warrant first-round consideration if he’s able to stay healthy and keep producing in 2024, but it’s hard to imagine the Bears being the team willing to spend a pick in the middle of the first round on a running back.

Yes, giving Caleb Williams as much help as possible makes sense, but the Bears just signed D’Andre Swift, who will still be just 26 years old next season. They also have two more young runners behind Swift in Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert, both of whom flashes starting potential in limited work so far in their careers.

Considering some of the big needs the Bears have elsewhere, particularly in the trenches on both sides of the ball, it’s hard to imagine them spending a first-round pick on a running back.