Rising momentum could lead to Ben Johnson pulling off another Jahmyr Gibbs move with the Bears 10th overall pick
It seems nearly every team has turned the page toward the 2025 NFL Draft following a busy two weeks of free agency.For the Chicago Bears, there's no question that running back Ashton Jeanty is the top name on the radar after all the holes the front office and coaching staff addressed over the last few […]
It seems nearly every team has turned the page toward the 2025 NFL Draft following a busy two weeks of free agency.
For the Chicago Bears, there's no question that running back Ashton Jeanty is the top name on the radar after all the holes the front office and coaching staff addressed over the last few days.
But, the Bears aren't the only team zeroing in on the Heisman finalist and clear top back in the class. The Bears will have some steep competition in the Top-10 with multiple lead draft analysts mocking Jeanty to the Las Vegas Raiders at 6th overall.
After meeting with Jeanty at the Combine and the upcoming Top-30 visit in Chicago, the Bears aren't hiding any interest. However, once April arrives, if Jeanty is sniped off the board before #10, the front office will need a backup plan.
Jeanty isn't the only fast rising name at the position and if the Bears miss out on their top choice at the position, Ben Johnson might be placed in a familiar situation.
Omarion Hampton's Stock Rise Feels Similar To Jahmyr Gibbs
Back in the 2023 NFL Draft, the clear cut top running back in the class was Texas' Bijan Robinson. There was no question Robinson would be one of the top players selected, but there was still a solid crop of backs in the class behind him.
Leading up to the draft, Robinson seemed like the only one destined to be selected on opening night with multiple top backs being available on Day 2, but as the draft got closer and closer Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs started getting first-round buzz.
Even though the buzz was real surrounding Gibbs, no one expected the Detroit Lions to select him 12th overall, four picks after Robinson came off the board.
Flash-forward to now, another running back not named Ashton Jeanty is starting to get the legitimate first-round buzz: UNC's Omarion Hampton.
And based on the Jeanty rumors and the interest in Hampton, Ben Johnson could take a page out of the Lions' draft book at turn his attention toward Hampton in a shocking manner for everyone on the outside.
The Bears met with Hampton multiple times during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and perhaps it's time to start considering this as a true possibility at 10.
Is Hampton worth a Top-10 selection? Absolutely. Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, while adding 373 receiving yards and two touchdowns out of the backfield. He's also a tremendous pass blocker as well.
Jeanty has elite play-making ability at the position, but Hampton is a very well rounded player himself. While Jeanty is a true every-down workhorse, Hampton's been described as a "dependable rusher" with power by top experts.
That's the kind of player the Bears should be focused on adding to the backfield if Jeanty is off the board to pair with D'Andre Swift. And if the front office feels comfortable selecting Jeanty that high, Ben Johnson should feel the same about Hampton as well.
Bears set to meet with another long-term left tackle option on a Top-30 visit, and it wouldn’t cost the 10th overall pick to draft him
I wouldn’t mind this move on Day 2.
