Because general manager Ryan Poles added five starters for the trenches in March, the Chicago Bears have a range of options for their seven selections in the upcoming draft.
The Bears have four selections in the first 72 picks of the draft. While the Bears could look to add upgrades at tight end and running back this spring, Poles still needs to add young depth on the offensive and defensive lines and should look at the possibility of finding a new starting left tackle.
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is 31, and offensive guard Joe Thuney is 32. The Bears would be wise to draft players who can develop with those two on the roster and become starters when they age out.
In Mel Kiper’s final mock draft for ESPN before April’s draft, the long-time draft analyst has the Bears making a couple of bold picks in the first two rounds. Kiper has Chicago drafting two skilled players and only one player for the trenches with their first three picks.
Mel Kiper’s draft picks for the Chicago Bears
No. 10 Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren
“Offseason moves to add interior offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman should buy Caleb Williams more time to throw,” Kiper wrote. “Landing Warren would give the second-year quarterback another reliable target. New Bears coach Ben Johnson could line up Warren anywhere, get him the ball and let him roll to first downs after the catch.
“The versatile tight end had 1,233 receiving yards last season, and 700 of them came once the ball was in his hands. Chicago got only 512 total yards out of its tight end room in 2024, but the combination of Warren and Cole Kmet could do some damage.”
Warren would give new Bears head coach Ben Johnson a weapon like he had with Sam LaPorta in Detroit. The Bears would miss out on Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and left tackle Will Campbell to land Warren.
They’d also miss out on trading back for more draft capital, something Poles hinted he was interested in doing during the annual league meeting last week.
Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Draft profile: Omarion Hampton
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