Bears do Montez Sweat a big favor in 2025 NFL mock draft by adding to a position the team has largely neglected
Even though the 2025 NFL Draft is over a full season away, there are still some sickos out there that like to project the future and link top prospects to potential teams.On Tuesday, we got another crack at the first round of next year's draft made by ESPN's Matt Miller, detailing where he sees all […]
Even though the 2025 NFL Draft is over a full season away, there are still some sickos out there that like to project the future and link top prospects to potential teams.
On Tuesday, we got another crack at the first round of next year's draft made by ESPN's Matt Miller, detailing where he sees all 32 teams finishing, and which prospect he projects each team taking in the first round.
For the Chicago Bears, Miller had an intriguing prospect listed that would help fill a major need taken with the 17th overall selection.
ESPN 2025 Mock Draft has the Chicago Bears selecting Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
"General manager Ryan Poles has done a masterful job rebuilding the roster in Chicago, but the defensive line could use someone such as Williams. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior has experience playing both inside and outside alignments, but his future is off the edge in the pros. His nine sacks in two seasons of rotational work point to the impact he can make with full-time reps in 2024. Williams' combination of power and a sudden first-step could get him drafted in the top 10." – ESPN's Matt Miller
Adding an edge rusher at the top of next year's draft seems to be a common consensus even this far out and it's easy to see why. So far this offseason, the Bears have largely neglected adding a top pass rusher to the defense to line up opposite 2023 Pro Bowler Montez Sweat in favor of rolling into the season with veteran DeMarcus Walker and fifth-round rookie Austin Booker.
The Bears have still been linked to numerous veteran pass rushers on the market leading up to training camp, but with each passing day, that continues to look unlikely. By the end of this season, however, the front office should be able to see how glaring of a need that position really is next offseason.
As for the player himself, Williams is the exact type of edge rusher head coach Matt Eberflus ideally seeks for his defense. Williams has incredible size for the position and has the ability to play all over the defensive front. With a more concrete role in the Bulldogs defense in 2024, Williams will really be able to shine in front of scouts and coaches around the league.
The last Bulldog defender selected by the Bears was future All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith in 2018. Maybe next year it'll be time for the Bears front office to dip back into the program that has produced countless top defenders over the last half-decade.
If the Bears can make this happen and see considerable development from their young defensive linemen in 2024, the team would boast an incredibly dominant defensive front at all positions for years to come.
Preseason expectations for Caleb Williams based on recent quarterbacks drafted with the first overall pick
How many opportunities will he see before the season?
