Latest draft intel describes which RB prospect would be a good fit for the Bears saying they miss out on other top options on Day 2
It's hard to determine which running backs will be available for the Chicago Bears, and at the right value in the 2025 NFL Draft. But, it's widely believed the Bears will exit the draft with a new addition to the backfield in some capacity.The ideal target remains Ashton Jeanty, a Top-5 talent in the class, […]
It's hard to determine which running backs will be available for the Chicago Bears, and at the right value in the 2025 NFL Draft. But, it's widely believed the Bears will exit the draft with a new addition to the backfield in some capacity.
The ideal target remains Ashton Jeanty, a Top-5 talent in the class, who unfortunately likely won't be available with the 10th overall pick.
Saying Jeanty is gone to a team like the Las Vegas Raiders, the next top back is Omarion Hampton, although draft him 10 still seems a little rich value-wise. Regardless, Hampton seems destined to fall in the first-round somewhere.
If the Bears front office believes they can find a higher value player at another position with their top pick, the team also has two second-rounders (39th and 41st) to add a running back on Day 2.
Both Ohio State backs in TreyVeon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins have had some buzz in Chicago, but there's a chance both might be plucked prior to pick 39, which would really put the Bears in an unfortunate spot to address the position. But, fret not, there's another strong fit who would be a great option on Day 2.
ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler released a new piece on Wednesday where he shared what scouts and executives have relayed about prospects with tough evaluations. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson was one of those players brought up and Fowler mentioned the Bears as a possible scheme-fit for his style of play.
"He's got to go to a wide zone [rushing] team," an AFC executive said. "The scheme fits him well, and he's going to be a solid pro, but if you're looking for somebody with early quickness or avoidability, he doesn't have that."
Examples of wide zone rushing teams include the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Straight-line juice, very decisive when he gets north and south," an NFL personnel evaluator added. "He's not a sudden mover. He's a linear glider."
Johnson was uber-productive during his final season at Iowa, totaling 1,537 yards on the ground and over 20 rushing touchdowns, but the scheme fit worry seems to be real. Our own Tyler Forness noted that Johnson will get you "chunks of yards" but lacks the explosiveness and eluding defenders during his scouting evaluation.
With that in mind, Johnson sounds like an ideal candidate to share the backfield with an explosive, elusive back like D'Andre Swift, giving head coach Ben Johnson is new version of Sonic and Knuckles. Johnson would excel being the north-south runner and pass protector in the wide-zone scheme Johnson operated with the Lions while mixing in Swift to be the big-play guy.
Looking at how the RB position is currently ranked, Johnson could be the best avaliable option on Day 2 if the Bears pass on a RB at 10 and other teams strike first on Jeanty, Hampton, Henderson, and Judkins.
RB Prospect Rankings via A to Z Sports Database
- Ashton Jeanty: 9
- Omarion Hampton: 34
- Kaleb Johnson: 53
- TreyVeon Henderson: 56
- Quinshon Judkins: 64
