It’s almost officially time for the Chicago Bears to turn in their first-round draft card. But who the player will be, and if the Bears will actually be selecting at No. 10 is still up in the air.
There has been plenty of talk about a trade down. While Chicago has four picks inside the top 75, they have numerous holes on the roster they could bolster. Especially if one of their top targets isn’t available, the Bears can load up on draft capital while still landing a player high up on the board.
However, Chicago could look to avoid that problem completely by trading up the board. They’d lose some depth in their draft planning, however the Bears would come away with one of the more elite prospects in the entire 2025 class.
The Carolina Panthers have already gone on record saying they’d be willing to move down from their No. 8 spot. And Michal Dwojak of Shaw Local thinks it could be an opportunity the Bears can’t pass up on. He suggested Chicago trade their No. 10 and No. 72 overall pick for No. 8.
“Although analysts have said it might be hard for teams to trade down given how deep this year’s draft is, Poles might be compelled to jump up a few spots if someone high on his board such as defensive tackle Mason Graham or offensive tackle Will Campbell drops,” Dwojak wrote. “Assistant general manager Ian Cunningham had to talk Poles out of trading up one spot to select Rome Odunze in last year’s draft.”
Chicago Bears trade up
The Bears certainly have the draft capital to work with with two second-rounders alongside their No. 72 overall pick. In that sense, they should be able to move up the board as much as they want. However, the Bears have multiple needs across the roster. Trading away any capital limits Chicago’s options in each round.
If they trade up for offense, let’s say a running back, they would get the top option in the class. However, then they’re stuck selecting from second and third-round offensive and defensive linemen. There might be some stars amongst that group, but nothing as sure thing as a top 10 pick would be. Especially with the offensive skill position class being as deep as it is, it seems more likely to find a solid runner later on if necessary.
But while general manager Ryan Poles understands he needs to cautious, he knows the Bears are entering a new era. New head coach Ben Johnson has brought plenty of excitement to the franchise, and now Chicago is looking to prove their legit. Maybe moving up for an elite draft prospect is exactly what the Bears need to kick their revival into hyperdrive.
Chicago will have plenty of decisions to make in the first round and beyond. But as the Panthers continue to dangle their No. 8 pick, the Bears must consider their options.
Who they could target
In this scenario specifically, it seems unlikely that the Bears would be trading up for Ashton Jeanty. The Panthers pick after the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6. If Jeanty makes it past the Raiders, it seems unlikely the New York Jets, Panthers or New Orleans Saints would select him. Instead, the Bears can just wait put Jeanty’s name on their card no questions asked.
If Chicago swings a trade with Carolina, it is likely because a player has fallen. Dwojak mentioned Mason Graham and Will Campbell. Edge rusher Abdul Carter is another option. All three players have been getting top five buzz. If any are available at No. 8, that could be enough to make the Bears pounce.
Chicago has been heavily connected to Campbell at No. 10. But with the New England Patriots lurking at No. 4, and the Jets at No. 7, he may not make it. Carter was once in consideration for the No. 1 overall pick, although a foot injury hurt those chances. Still, it would be a shock to see him fall out of the top three and be available to the Bears whatsoever. Graham has been a popular pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5. However, there’s rumors of them going with a shock pick such as wide receiver or Jeanty himself.
When the Bears fill out their big board, they’ll include players who don’t have much of a shot of making it to their pick. That is done for this exact reason. Chicago must be prepared for every outcome thrown their way. And if the end game is Campbell, Carter or Graham, then Poles will surely be calling the Panthers organization come draft night.
Chicago Bears get brutal odds on Ashton Jeanty being available at No. 10
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