Early 2025 NFL mock drafts have Bears circling in on mauling offensive lineman

If the 2025 NFL Draft were held today, the Chicago Bears would own the ninth overall pick. Perhaps that, combined with an entirely new coaching staff, are silver linings in an abysmal 2024 season.

At this time last year, the Bears were trending toward the first overall pick, and whispers of Caleb Williams replacing Justin Fields began. Those whispers became reality when GM Ryan Poles traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason and selected Williams at the top of the draft.

Fast forward to the final stretch of this season, Williams is having a commendable first year, considering the organizational dysfunction and the turnstile offensive line he’s playing behind. And that second part — the shameful offensive line — will most likely be addressed in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Those same mock drafts that had the Bears snagging Williams are nearly in lockstep agreement about who Poles will target this year: LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell.

Here’s how some of the biggest media outlets project Chicago to use the ninth pick:

• USA TODAY Sports: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
• ESPN: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
• Fox Sports: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
• CBS Sports: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The only wildcard is CBS Sports, with the Bears taking Mykel Williams, the freakishly athletic pass rusher from Georgia. And while it’s true that Williams would be a fantastic Robin to Montez Sweat’s Batman, there’s absolutely, positively no doubt in my mind that Chicago will make the offensive line the only priority on draft day.

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Campbell would make a ton of sense for the Chicago Bears for several reasons. First, he’d immediately challenge Darnell Wright as the most talented offensive lineman on the roster. Second, he’d be a massive upgrade over Braxton Jones at left tackle, but (and third!) some NFL Draft analysts believe Campbell can be a Pro Bowl guard or center. Great! The Bears need that, too.

He’d be as close to a can’t-miss player as the Bears could land in the 2025 draft.

“Campbell is a prime candidate to move inside as a pro,” Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn wrote in his scouting report. “He has the makeup, movement skills, play strength, and competitive toughness to make a smooth transition to guard or center and be an impact starter with Pro Bowl potential during his rookie contract.”