As the NFL Draft gets closer, things start to get a little crazy. The 2025 edition seems to be no different. When it comes to the Chicago Bears, they find themselves in a bit of draft chaos; but for all the right reasons.
Holding the No. 10 overall pick, the Bears will have an opportunity to land one of the top players in the class. And after an aggressive free agency period, they can be a bit more versatile in their selection rather than being forced to draft for need. Furthermore, with four picks inside the top 75, general manager Ryan Poles and company will have an opportunity to stock the roster with talent.
Still, there are always players that franchises fall in love with. While No. 10 is still high, it could keep Chicago out of selecting one of the elite talents in the 2025 class. In that scenario, Field Yates of ESPN proposed the Bears trading up one spot to No. 9 with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints, now in quarterback purgatory, would gain further draft capital while still landing their quarterback of the future. The Bears would ensure the get the exact player they want.
“Players such as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could be available at No. 9 and garner interest from a few front offices — perhaps even the Bears at No. 10,” Yates wrote. “And a team might even call the Saints to move up for Armand Membou if desperate for a potential long-term left tackle.”
Chicago Bears trade up one spot
On the surface, it may seem like a foolish move to give up draft capital to move up one spot. However, it’s a position the Bears have been in before. Chicago trade from No. 3 to No. 2 to take quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in the 2017 NFL Draft. While the results didn’t work out how the Bears hoped, the thought process was the same.
Let’s say the Dallas Cowboys are eager to come up for Ashton Jeanty, the Indianapolis Colts for Tyler Warren or any team for Armand Membou. The Saints would be able to sell their pick to the highest bidder. And since teams know the Bears would be interested in all three players, they’d be more eager to make a move before Chicago can pick.
The Bears can eliminate that possibility completely. They’d have to give up valuable draft picks, but they at least ensure whoever the top prospect on their board ends up in Chicago. If the draft board falls how they hope leading into pick No. 9, the Bears have the ammunition to get aggressive.
New Orleans holds the cards in this scenario, with their ever so more valuable No. 9 pick. But if the Saints are serious about moving back, the Bears will certainly be at least listening to the buzz around those calls. Maybe Poles even picks up the phone himself.
For Ashton Jeanty, Tyler Warren or Armand Membou
Any of those three players would make the Bears a stronger team in the short and long-term. It’s understandable why the Bears would want to pounce. As Ben Johnson builds his offensive vision, any of the three would be a strong building block to work with.
Membou dazzled with his athleticism at the combine. While he may eventually move to guard, and while his NFL acclimation may take some time, Membou is the exact type of talent teams want to combat explosive edge rushers with. His quickness and moldability would fit will in Chicago.
The Bears already have Cole Kmet on their roster. However, Johnson ran plenty of 12 personnel with the Detroit Lions. Warren is coming off of a 2024 campaign that saw him earn the John Mackey Award. Having him and Kmet on the field would be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Jeanty has been the player most connected to the Bears leading up to the draft. With the Las Vegas Raiders lurking at No. 6, there’s a chance he doesn’t even make it to No. 9. But if he does, the Heisman Trophy runner-up is a day one difference maker in the backfield. Like Jahmyr Gibbs was with the Lions, Jeanty gives Johnson an explosive rushing weapon for his new-look offense.
There are too many questions that only the draft itself can answer. But the Bears will certainly have a number of crucial decisions to make once the event is underway.
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