Chicago Bears 2025 Mock Draft: Ryan Poles supercharges Caleb Williams

Week 7 of the NFL season is about to kick off, and with the Chicago Bears on their bye week, what better time to run a 2025 NFL mock draft?

Currently, the Bears are slated to pick 18th, meaning they just missed the playoffs. If that means they ended the year 10-7 and were beaten out by a tiebreaker, I think most fans would call that a successful season.

If they stay at that spot, who could they potentially add in the 2025 draft? A lot can change between now and April, and unforeseen needs may arise, but here’s who I think the Bears should be circling in their scouting reports.

1.18 Ashton Jeanty – Running Back, Boise State

The last time the Bears selected a running back in the first round was in 2005 when they drafted Cedric Benson. I think it’s time for that streak to end. Jeanty is in the midst of arguably the greatest college season ever for a running back. Even against a powerhouse like Oregon, a team that knew about Jeanty’s playmaking ability and game-planned for him, he put up 192 yards and 3 touchdowns.

I get it. With D’Andre Swift seemingly having turned the corner, running back is not a need for the Bears. But look at what the Lions did: they signed a veteran stud in David Montgomery and still spent a Top 12 pick on Jahmyr Gibbs. This rushing duo has been a nightmare for defenses everywhere and is why Jared Goff is playing the best football of his life. Why shouldn’t Chicago do the same for Caleb Williams? If Jeanty’s available at this point in the draft, I would sprint to the podium to turn in my draft card.

Ashton Jeanty’s competition is almost irrelevant, for those who argue it. He ran for 192 yards and 3 TDs against (what will be) #2 ranked Oregon. Those are better stats than BOTH Ohio State’s backs had COMBINED. Watch the film. What he is able to do physically is not of this… pic.twitter.com/Q1zUpSqo3x

— Elliot Hoyte (@elliothoyte) October 13, 2024

2.35 (via CAR) Jonah Savaiinaea – Offensive Tackle, Arizona

Don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten about the offensive line. Savaiinaea is a mountain of a man, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 336 pounds. He has played both right guard and right tackle, but many expect him to move back to right guard in the NFL, which is arguably Chicago’s weakest spot on the line. This is one of those times when a team’s need perfectly aligns with draft value.

2.50 Xavier Watts – Safety, Notre Dame

Safety is an underrated need for Chicago. Kevin Byard has been a stud since signing with the Bears this offseason, but he turns 32 next season. Jaquan Brisker has been trending up in his third year, but he’s missing time again for his third concussion. One hopes he avoids another concussion going forward, but what if his health can’t hold up?

That’s where Watts comes in. A converted wide receiver, in 2023, he hauled in a ridiculous seven interceptions, won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to college football’s best defensive player, and was a unanimous All-American. So far in 2024, he already has two more picks. I think he would thrive in Matt Eberflus’ defense as a versatile safety.

3.82 Parker Brailsford – Center, Alabama

GM Ryan Poles must find a long-term center after this season, a position that stopgaps and bridge veterans have thus far filled. Luckily, the 2025 draft will feature Parker Brailsford from Alabama. He is a bit undersized at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, but he makes up for that with elite athleticism and technique, plus a really bad attitude when it comes to defensive linemen. Plugging Brailsford into the lineup could give Chicago their best Center since Olin Kreutz retired.

5.156 Charles Grant – Offensive Tackle, William & Mary

Every year, I like to find a small-school player who may be overlooked. In 2023, that was Tyson Bagent and this year, it’s Charles Grant. An athletic freak, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound left tackle has also measured a 32′ vertical and been clocked at 21 mph. A locker room leader with a good head on his shoulders, Grant is a clear fit in the culture being built in Chicago and could potentially become a plus-starter at left tackle.

William & Mary LT Charles Grant is an outstanding athlete and it really shows up in the run game. Can execute any block in the playbook.

With the amount of play-action boot & “move the pocket” type of plays in that offense, some teams will have an easier projection than others pic.twitter.com/sqJajz1K9R

— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) October 9, 2024

6.201 Collin Oliver – EDGE, Oklahoma State

Oliver exploded onto the college football scene as a freshman when he put up 11.5 sacks and was the unanimous Big-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Through three seasons, he’s racked up 22.5 sacks, 40.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. Unfortunately, a right foot injury has sidelined him since Week 2 of the college season and may cost him the rest of the year, which is why he’s looking like a sixth-round selection should he declare for the draft.

But the Bears would not draft him to be an immediate impact player. Instead, he could sit and learn behind the talented group already in Chicago and see time early on as a rotational pass rusher.

7.247 Pat Bryant – Wide Receiver, Illinois

A hometown kid, Bryant has been superb for the Fighting Illini these last two years. In 2023, he racked up 560 yards and seven touchdowns on 43 catches, and this season, he’s already up to 452 yards and seven touchdowns on just 27 catches. With Keenan Allen likely to hit free agency after just one season in Chicago, the 6-foot-3 Bryant would be a solid depth piece to acquire and help him grow into his full potential at the next level.

We know all about Pat Bryant’s ability to beat guys downfield but on Saturday he showed he’s capable of running through defenders, too.

Mine and @TristanThomasTV“s angles of