Latest two-round NFL 2024 mock draft has the Bears looking out for Caleb Williams in a major way and for good reason
The Chicago Bears finally made a right decision on Tuesday that should have fans feeling optimistic about the rest of the 2024 season.However, for those who are already looking ahead to the future after the Bears' 4-5 start and three game losing streak, you came to the right place.It's never too early to plan ahead […]
The Chicago Bears finally made a right decision on Tuesday that should have fans feeling optimistic about the rest of the 2024 season.
However, for those who are already looking ahead to the future after the Bears' 4-5 start and three game losing streak, you came to the right place.
It's never too early to plan ahead and it's something general managers around the league have already been doing for weeks. The 2025 NFL Draft will be here before we know it so let's look ahead at some of the prospects the Bears could look to select.
On Tuesday, Ryan Roberts of A to Z Sports released his latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft that included both the first and second rounds, which includes three selections for the Bears and I think he nailed each draft pick for Chicago.
Based on the current league standings, the Bears' first pick was the 17th overall selection, where Roberts had the team selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. Campbell is quickly rising up the boards in draft circles and was the third offensive lineman Roberts had coming off the board.
In my opinion, Campbell would be a steal for the Bears at 17. At 6'6. 232 pounds, Campbell is already a solid size to play either tackle position. However, he's best suited at left tackle, which is where he would play with the Bears.
Chicago already has their right tackle locked up after drafting Darnell Wright in the first round of the 2023 draft, even tough he's had some struggles so far this season. At left tackle, the Bears have a question mark with Braxton Jones having one more year remaining on his contract after 2024. By selecting Campbell, the Bears could look to flip Jones and get a better protector to replace him.
In nine games in 2024, Campbell has yet to allow a single sack on 390 pass blocking snaps. In fact, he hasn't allowed a sack since Week 10 of the 2022 season while blocking against three Alabama defenders who are currently starting in the NFL.
As for the Bears first of two second-round selections, Roberts had the team taking Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen with the 41st overall pick.
Both fronts are of major concern for the Bears based on what we've seen through the first nine games. After addressing the offensive line in the first round, adding a guy like Nolen can help build up the depth on the interior of the defense.
The Bears already have two established starters going into next season in Gervon Dexter Sr. and Andrew Billings but haven't had someone step up behind those two. Nolen can be that missing piece and be the latest SEC DT for the Bears to look into.
This season, Nolen has logged three sacks, 25 total pressures, and 21 total tackles. His 84.8 defensive PFF grade ranks seventh among interior defensive linemen in the FBS.
With the Bears' second pick in the second round, Roberts had Chicago turning their attention back to the offensive line by landing Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge with the 47th overall pick.
Prior to his recent ankle injury, the Georgia right tackle looked to be another hot name come April but the injury could work in the Bears' favor.
On 96 pass blocking snaps, Ratledge has only allowed one sack, which came in his most recent game against Ole Miss. However, the season prior in 2023, Ratledge allowed 0 sacks on 418 pass blocking snaps at right guard.
Right guard is potentially another need for the Bears, even though Nate Davis and Ryan Bates are under contract for 2025. Davis will likely be a cut or trade candidate by April's draft and adding Ratledge allows Bates to move to center or be a high-level backup for the unit. Win-win in my book.
Overall, this would be an excellent start to next year's draft and one that would put a smile onto the face of quarterback Caleb Williams going into Year 2.
