We are less than two months away from the 2025 NFL Draft. Along with the Chicago Bears, the other 29 teams in the league will be looking to add new, young and athletic talent to their rosters.
Last year, the Bears were the first team to select a prospect in the draft. With the #1 overall draft pick, Chicago announced they were taking USC quarternack Caleb Williams. Despite being the only team in the NFC North division to not to make the playoffs, the Bears looked strong in the first few weeks of the season during the fall.
Chicago is loaded with salary cap space and under the direction of a new head coach, Ben Johnson. The Bears have the 10th overall pick and a pair of early second round selections, in addition to their own third round pick.
With their quarterback of the future secured and position players at receiver, running back and tight end locked up, the Bears needs are rather apparent. Here is a look at our 7-round mock draft for the Chicago Bears.
Round 1, 10th overall pick: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The decision on which side of the ball to focus on here is clear. After giving up the most sacks in 2024 with 68, the Bears have to build the offensive line.
Furthermore, after the Bears had been one of the better rushing teams the past couple of years, they took a significant swan dive in their rushing production. D'Andre Swift was a bust in 2024 for Chicago as they were a bottom-10 team in the run game.
Rumors have already circulated about their focus here. They had expressed interest in signing OG Trey Smith prior to the Kansas City Chiefs using the franchise tag on him.
While more than one of the nine other teams ahead of the Bears also have needs to improve the offensive line, this a relatively deep class this year. Even if Kelvin Banks, Jr. of the Texas Longhorns goes as early as predicted, either LSU's Will Campbell or Ohio State's Josh Simmons would be a fine snag in the first round.
Campbell is perhaps the biggest of the three tackles. He is listed at 6'6'' and 320 pounds. Playing tackle for LSU provided a wealth of experience in big games against high profile match ups.
Having multiple strong seasons for the Tigers in the SEC, Campbell could go immediately after Banks, Jr. Yet, we have seen the Bears take swings in the first round like when they picked players like Mitch Trubisky or Curtis Ennis.
Thus, why we realistically predict that the Chicago Bears take another Buckeye in the first round (Justin Fields, 2021). Simmons ran the fastest 40-yard dash of the trio with a time of 5.15 seconds.
According to NFL Draft Buzz, "Simmons isn't just a good athlete who can move in space - he's a tone-setter who brings legitimate power and finishing ability to pair with his high-end movement skills."
The 6'5'' athlete just wrapped up his senior as an NCAA champion. Simmons immediately provides an upgrade to bolster the front line to not only protect Williams better but to also potentially open up the run game for Swift and Roschon Johnson.