Running back prospects not named Ashton Jeanty who could upgrade the Bears' backfield in a more suitable manner
The Chicago Bears have one main luxury they would love to upgrade this offseason with new head coach Ben Johnson coming to down.As the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson deployed a two-back attack within his system using David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs over the previous two seasons. The year before that, Johnson worked with Jamaal […]
The Chicago Bears have one main luxury they would love to upgrade this offseason with new head coach Ben Johnson coming to down.
As the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson deployed a two-back attack within his system using David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs over the previous two seasons. The year before that, Johnson worked with Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift, whom Johnson will be reuniting with in Chicago.
During his first year with the Bears in 2024, Swift had a solid season on the stat sheet but those who watched the games saw the issues Swift faced in the previous offense.
Behind Swift, Roschon Johnson finished second in the room with 55 carries for just 150 yards. Throughout his career, Swift has worked best with another complementary back on the roster to help shoulder the bulk of the workload and didn't have that other guy to help him out in 2024.
As far as true team needs go, upgrading the backfield shouldn't be viewed that highly, unless Johnson stresses adding another back to the front office. If that's the case, expect the Bears to add another back via a loaded 2025 draft class.
The big name everyone has been latching onto is Boise State running back and Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty, and for good reason. Jeanty was a beast in 2024 rushing for 2,601 yards and 7.0 yards per carry.
Jeanty has expressed interest in joining the Bears and has already been seen hanging out with Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams.
However, in order to make that dream a reality, the Bears would have to use their 10th overall pick to select him. Based on the other glaring needs, drafting Jeanty might be a luxury the team can't afford. Especially when you evaluate the rest of the RB class.
With that being said, here are four other running backs, not named Ashton Jeanty, the Bears could consider drafting outside of the first-round.
Kaleb Johnson – Iowa
Outside of Jeanty, people have been linking the Bears to Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson more than any other RB prospect. Johnson rushed 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024 and has the size to carry a bulk of the work in an NFL offense.
Johnson has a similar build to David Montgomery and could be used in that same role in Johnson's offense while Swift plays in the Jahmyr Gibbs role.
Many mocks are starting to connect Johnson to the Bears in the second-round (Chicago holds the 39th and 41st overall picks) and he could provide a similar value to the Bears' offense as Jeanty with a better use of team resources.
Quinshon Judkins – Ohio State
Another bruiser back in the second-round that can compliment Swift's game is Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins. Judkins ran with power during his college career but also had the speed to takes runs all the way when he broke free.
Judkins' best skills at the position were easily his vision and patience, two areas that Swift struggled at in 2024. And his weakness was working out of the backfield as a pass catcher, something Swift has the ability to excel in. And the Bears might already have him on their radar according to Eddie George, who interviewed for the HC gig.
"I can say that when I interviewed with the Bears, the head coaching position up there, we talked about personnel, we talked about needs, and his name [Judkins] was definitely on that board," George said.
TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State
Unlike Johnson and Judkins, fellow Buckeye TreVeyon Henderson is a more all-around running back than a bruiser back. Henderson has homerun speed but can also do some of the dirty work inside and catch passes out of the backfield.
He would work best in a rotation at the next level and while Chicago can offer that, his style matches up similarly with Swift. But he's another one Eddie George was high on when discussing the Bears' potential options.
"TreVeyon Henderson on the edges, in terms of the passing game, being a receiver out of the backfield is amazing," George added. "TreVeyon showed that he can not only have breakaway speed, he can hit it between the tackles."
Cam Skattebo – Arizona State
The last one who should be in real consideration to join the Bears' backfield in this class is Arizona State's Cam Skattebo. Skattebo put the entire team on his back this season rushing for 1,712 yards and 21 touchdowns in route to a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Few teams in 2024 were able to bring this guy down. In fact, Skattebo's 102 missed tackles forced this past season ranked second in the FBS, trailing only Jeanty's 151.
Skattebo is a jack-of-all-trades who's toughness and willingness to do anything should place him high on team's draft boards. We'll see if the Bears are one of those teams that value him highly in the second-round.
Top weapon in the 2025 NFL Draft hinted at joining the Bears, giving the front office an interesting avenue to consider in the first round
He would be an exciting player to add.
