Latest NFL mock draft has the Bears giving Caleb Williams more than one Christmas present he'd love to have in 2025
The Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do this offseason to continue building this roster around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.In just 16 weeks, Williams has proved he has the potential to turn into the best thing that has ever happened to this franchise, as long as the team puts the pieces in place […]
The Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do this offseason to continue building this roster around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
In just 16 weeks, Williams has proved he has the potential to turn into the best thing that has ever happened to this franchise, as long as the team puts the pieces in place around him to not only further elevate his play, but most importantly, win games.
It'll be a tall task for the Bears' front office and general manager Ryan Poles, but the team has everything they need to make it happen over the next few months.
After dropping nine consecutive games, the Bears have actually put themselves in a great position looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. Right now, the Bears have the 9th overall pick and at worst would have the 10th overall pick if the team manages to win out over the final two games, along with two other picks currently in the Top-50.
What the Bears do with those top selections remains to be seen, but by looking at the team this season, it's obvious what direction the team needs to go in the draft. Williams needs some more offensive support, both on the line of scrimmage and in the weapons he can distribute the ball too. On defense, adding more high-end depth to the defensive line has to be a top priority too.
In the latest mock draft from our own AJ Schulte, Schulte had the Bears tackling all of those weaknesses by adding impact players in the first three round of the draft. Here's which players he had the Bears taking with their first four selections:
9th Overall Pick: Will Campbell (OL, LSU)
With another pick in the Top-10, the Bears can take advantage of their hand by landing another blue-chip prospect in the first round like they did in 2023 by drafting right tackle Darnell Wright with the 10th overall pick.
This time around, Schulte has the Bears taking the first offensive lineman off the board in LSU's Will Campbell, passing on 2024 Outland Trophy winner Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas. Both players are worthy of being the first offensive lineman off the board come April's draft and it just depends what the team is looking for.
For the Bears, the decision to take Campbell over Banks makes sense. Campbell started 12 games in 2024 at left tackle but also profiles as a potential guard at the next level. In those 12 games, Campbell allowed just 1 sack and 14 pressures.
Campbell could be the ideal fit for the Bears as a guy who could start at either position. Campbell could look to compete at left tackle following Braxton Jones' significant injury or could replace Teven Jenkins at left guard if the team opts to let him walk in free agency. Either way, he would be a significant upgrade to the front.
40th Overall Pick: Kyren Lacy (WR, LSU)
With the team's first pick in the second round, Schulte had the Bears sticking in Baton Rouge and selecting LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy. LSU has become a legitimate farm school breeding top-tier NFL talent such as Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr., just to name a few of the recent ones.
The Bears wide receiver room could have an opening if the team decides not to bring back veteran Keenan Allen and Lacy would be a solid fit lining up alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze in the Bears' offense.
With the Tigers in 2024, Lacy led the team with 58 receptions, 866 yards, and nine touchdowns. Lacy did the bulk of his work on the outside but did play 156 snaps in the slot. In 2023, Lacy finished third on the team in yards and touchdowns behind future first round selections in Nabers and Thomas. 40th overall would be incredible value.
41st Overall Pick (via CAR): Marcus Mbow (OL, Purdue)
One pick later, Schulte had the Bears using the final selection coming from the blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers to select another offensive lineman in Purdue's Marcus Mbow.
At Purdue in 2024, Mbow started all 12 games at right tackle allowing three sacks and 22 pressures, but two of those sacks came against Notre Dame's top ranked defense in Week 3. After that game, Mbow allowed just one sack the rest of the season.
Mbow is extremely athletic and very good on his, according to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid. When projecting his impact in the NFL, Mbow has the size and athleticism to play tackle, guard, or center. For a team that's potentially going to replace 3/4 starters this offseason, Mbow is a safe prospect to bank on that you can eventually find a starting spot for during the summer.
71st Overall Pick: TJ Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
In the third round, Schulte finally had the Bears addressing the defense by pinning South Carolina defensive tackle TJ Sanders to the team with the 71st overall pick.
When it comes to finding a solid contributor to the defensive front late on Day 2 of the draft, Sanders would be your best bet. At 6'4, 290 pounds with a ridiculous wing span, Sanders has all the intangibles that could cause him to go even higher.
From a production standpoint, Sanders was ultra-disruptive for the Gamecocks in 2024, finishing the year with 5 sacks, 32 total pressures, and 24 stops. Among SEC defensive tackles, Sanders' sack total was second behind Ole Miss' Walter Nolen, whom Schulte had landing with the Minnesota Vikings in the first round.
Adding a player like Sanders to a defensive front with Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, and Andrew Billings would give Chicago another D-Line that the rest of the NFL should fear for years to come.
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It’s the right, but questionable, move.
