Four trade down options for the Chicago Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft if they decide to move back from the 10th overall pick
The 2025 NFL Draft is exactly one month away from kicking off in Green Bay and teams are starting to speed up the process on finalizing the draft plan.The Chicago Bears put themselves in a great situation based on all the spending and additions made in free agency to really open up the draft board.The […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is exactly one month away from kicking off in Green Bay and teams are starting to speed up the process on finalizing the draft plan.
The Chicago Bears put themselves in a great situation based on all the spending and additions made in free agency to really open up the draft board.
The draft for the Bears, right now, starts with the 10th overall pick. But, once again, the Bears are being mentioned in trade discussions regarding the team's first-round pick.
Entering into this draft, the Bears are faced with an interesting position. The roster on paper looks strong with a new coaching staff coming in, but the front office is also aware that this team isn't one player away from being a contender.
So while trading up for someone like Mason Graham is enticing, the Bears need to hold on to their remaining seven selections in 2025 to add more impact players. And the Bears could even consider parting ways with the 10th overall pick to add some more plate appearances to the 2025 Draft.
Teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, or Denver Broncos could entertain trading up with the Bears, allowing Chicago to have a cleaner view of the board while adding more picks in Day 2, especially if their top targets such as Ashton Jeanty and Will Campbell are already off the table.
In that scenario, who would the Bears target after moving back? Keep an eye on these four prospects.
Bears Potential Trade Down Targets
RB Omarion Hampton
Last week, I wrote about Omarion Hampton being Ben Johnson's next Jahmyr Gibbs selection (even though he plays more like David Montgomery). What I mean with that comparison is that Hampton is having a similar momentum rise that Gibbs had in 2023 before being selected with the 12th overall pick to join Johnson's offense.
Hampton is definitely joining that first-round conversation. Now, drafting him 10th overall seems a little rich as the RB2 off the board, but sliding back and still landing a top weapon to the backfield makes perfect sense.
The Bears already had a great meeting with Hampton at the Combine, so the interest is there. The only concern about trading back for him is running the risk of a team like the Dallas Cowboys snatching him first. Which is why I, personally, would be comfortable taking this guy at 10 if you have a strong grade on him.
DT Kenneth Grant
Last week, there was a strong Bears presence at the Michigan Pro Day spearheaded by head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. In a perfect world, the Bears can snag Mason Graham, an easy Top-5 talent, with the 10th overall pick. But we don't live in a perfect world.
A nice consolidation prize would be moving back and still landing a strong interior player in Graham's teammate Kenneth Grant. Grant had a much better showing during his Pro Day compared to the Combine performance and might be back in Day 1 conversations around the league.
Adding further to the defensive line should still be a priority and Grant would be a nice fit in Chicago rotating inside while learning behind Grady Jarrett before taking over.
DE Mykel Williams
There was a time in which Mykel Williams was a legitimate possibility for the Bears with the 10th overall pick, and he still is to an extent.
However, after not performing at the Combine and a lackluster showing at the Georgia Pro Day, the Bears could take a chance at moving back and still landing a guy that general manager Ryan Poles has been viewing from afar for a while now.
He's another guy who met with the team in Indianapolis and fits all the desired traits Dennis Allen looks for off the edge. The only concern is his lack of production in 2024, which we've since learned was affected by an early-season ankle injury. At 100% this guy can be a baller once he reaches his full potential.
OT Josh Simmons
Just like the defensive line, the Bears heavily fortified the starting offensive front but the team could still look to add more top talent to the bullpen long-term. As far as the offensive line goes, the main position of concern is now at left tackle.
Braxton Jones is coming off a serious injury entering the final year of his contract and has always looked serviceable at best. And based on the recent OT market explosion, it's hard to justify paying Jones a lot of money next year.
The top left tackle prospect is easily Josh Simmons, when he was healthy. Simmons unfortunately suffered a torn patellar tendon early in the season he's still working back from. Simmons hopes to work out during the Ohio State Pro Day in April. If he can do that, he makes a lot of sense for the Bears as a future LT target.
Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen led a strong presence to the Michigan Pro Day, here’s 5 prospects the Bears should consider
Some top defensive prospects in attendance.
