The Chicago Bears wrapped up last season with a rough 5-10 record, not exactly the kind of year fans were hoping for. Despite having the No. 1 overall pick in Caleb Williams, the team still sank to the bottom of the NFC North. But once the season ended, things started shifting fast. That long winter slump? It’s over. The Bears came out of hibernation with a roar, kicking off the offseason by bringing in some serious offensive brainpower. At the center of that change is new head coach Ben Johnson. Now, he’s in Chicago with a vision and already making waves.
For Caleb Williams, the 2024 season was a rollercoaster. After a stellar college run, he entered the NFL only to face chaos — three different head coaches in just one year. First, the Bears let go of Matt Eberflus. Then came Thomas Brown as the interim, trying to steady the ship, but he couldn’t turn things around. Here’s the twist: Johnson isn’t interested in repeating the past. He’s reshaping the team from the ground up, even keeping Williams from running with his old squad in practice. That’s a clear sign. The Bears are planning something big. Right now, all eyes are on the 2025 NFL Draft, where Chicago is hunting for top-tier wide receivers and running backs to build a powerhouse around their young quarterback. So, who are they targeting with their seven picks this year? Let’s dive in, starting with their first-round selection…
Round 1 (10th overall pick): Ashton Jeanty, Running back, Boise State
“I think the earliest that I will go is No. 6, that’s my belief. That would be the Raiders at that pick or somebody else trading up to get in front of them, possibly. I think that’s what’s going to happen.” This is what Ashton Jeanty said to Mike Florio of NBC Sports when he was talking about the perfect landing spot. It’s clear that Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, and Cam Ward are going to fill the first and top spots quickly, and then there will be a competition to pick Ashton Jeanty.
The Cowboys are also interested in drafting the Boise State star player. The star player has dominated the combines and college football with his Saquon Barkley-like rushing attempts and energy. In his 2024 CFB season, Jeanty made a massive number of rushing attempts, that is, 374, while landing staggering 20 touchdowns after covering 2601 yards. Absolutely impressive stats! And in combined, he was first in production score (98) and total score, that is, 95.
So, let’s see if the Chicago Bears can draft him at position 10. If Ben Johnson really wants Jeanty at any cost, we would recommend trading up at the 5th or 6th position while giving up two 2026 draft picks. If that’s important and serious. The RB has won two back-to-back MW OPOY awards in 2023 and 2024. Jeanty has already said that he wants to play like Saquon Barkley and win nothing short of the Super Bowl. No doubt, the 1st day for the drafts is going to be interesting and exciting. And to add more fuel to the excitement, they may add Arizona WR T-Mac.
Round 2 (39th overall pick): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan, who is also known as T-Mac, is under the radar of many franchises. People report that he could also be a first-round pick. But we think that the Arizona wide receiver will fall anywhere between the 31st to 40th overall pick. But why only T-Mac and not others? Well, the WR has scored eight TDs in the 2024 college season.
And to that he has made 84 receptions while covering 1319 yards. The 21-year-old was 2nd in the NFL Combines. According to NFL.com, “Possession receiver with the size and ball skills to create big wins deep. He’s a linear route-runner who wears press coverage early and coasts too often on deep routes.” But that is why nearly 3 to 4 teams are extremely interested in Tetairoa McMillan. While his drafting can create anxiety in the front office, the Bears should not lose their calm as Iowa RB is waiting for them at No.41.
Round 2 (41st overall): Kaleb Johnson, running back, Iowa
“Johnson is built like a bruiser, but his style is more finesse, preferring to win with tempo and decisiveness. He keeps his runs on time and on track while allowing blockers to do their job. He’s not overly aggressive, but he has the size and strength to break tackles and grab extra yards at the finish.” This is how draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Kaleb Johnson. He can be a great help for Caleb Williams, along with Ashton Jeanty.
In case of emergency or when the star RB gets injured, the Bears should draft a player like him. In the 2024 season, the Iowa Hawkeyes RB made 240 rushing attempts. And while doing that, he was successful in landing 21 touchdowns while covering 1,537 yards. 2024 became a turning point in his life as he was scoring only 6 and 3 TDs in a year. So, if the Bears want a backup for Ashton Jeanty, they can definitely draft him. Well, the Bears now have two RBs and one WR. But don’t you think there should be a balance with defense? And to create that balance, only one name is enough in the 3rd round- Jordan Burch.
Round 3 (72nd overall pick): Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
First of all, let’s take a moment to understand why the Chicago Bears are in desperate need of a Jordan Burch-like edge rusher. Have you checked where the Bears stand in terms of overall defensive performance? You might be surprised to know that the Bears ranked 27th in the NFL for total defense. Throughout the season, they allowed a staggering 354.2 yards per game and gave up 37 touchdowns. That kind of defensive showing isn’t just disappointing, it’s a liability for any team aspiring to compete at a high level.
To avoid further humiliation and rebuild their defensive identity, the Bears need to take decisive action. One potential move could be targeting a high-upside defensive end like Jordan Burch from the Oregon Ducks. Standing at an imposing 6’6″ and weighing 295 pounds, Burch brings athleticism and raw power that teams crave on the edge. In the 2024 college football season, he recorded 31 tackles, including 8.5 for loss, a stat that highlights his disruptive presence on the field. He consistently showcased the ability to get into the backfield, pressure quarterbacks, and disrupt offensive rhythm. But that’s not enough. The Bears can still make their defense stand in the ranking of 2025 by adding Oregon’s DT to the team.
Round 5 (148th overall pick): Derrick Harmon, Defensive tackle, Oregon
Derrick Harmon has played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and the Oregon Ducks from 2021 to 2024. The Bears currently have Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr., but adding a defensive tackle like Harmon would be great. If you look at his stats, he has made 27 solo tackles while making five sacks.
If you see his performance, Harmon’s first game of the 2024 season was great. He made five tackles in that game with 1.5 sacks. So, what we want to tell here is that having a future star DT with the team will be a better option for the Bears. It also creates a balance in the team. Otherwise, if only the offensive side is good, the Bears will have a repeat of how the Bengals lost the season despite winning the Last five games. So, to make such a balance, Caleb Williams’ team can add Harmon in the 5th round. Now there are two defensive players with a good background. The Bears can now focus on adding a wide receiver for Caleb Williams.
Round 7 (233rd overall pick): Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
It was September 21, 2024, when Pat Bryant‘s Illinois Fighting Illini were going head-to-head against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. And Pat Bryant became a hero of the game when he made five receptions, only to land two touchdowns while covering 74 yards. That day, Pat Bryant was on the headlines, making a name for himself and registering his name in the future NFL drafts.
Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) lines up during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
In the whole season, he has made 54 receptions while covering 984 yards and scored 10 TDs throughout the year. In the NFL Combine, he also performed good and scored an overall 71 score, which is represented in Green, a sign of a safe prospect. So, if the Bears want to add a wide receiver for Caleb Williams, he will be a great fit.
Round 7 (240th overall pick): CJ Dippre, tight end, Alabama
CJ Dippre has shown his strength throughout his college football career. In the 2024 season, he has made 21 receptions while covering 256 yards, but couldn’t score a single touchdown. According to draft analyst Lance Zierlein, “CJ Dippre is a combination tight end who can help here and there as both a blocker and pass catcher. Dippre is a big target underneath and can win contested catches.” And also added, “His play speed appears to be average, and he struggles to avoid contact when getting through his route.” So, let’s see if the Bears could draft him or not.
So, with a new coaching staff, renewed energy, and a franchise quarterback eager to thrive, the Bears are clearly turning the page. Ben Johnson’s arrival marks a fresh era in Chicago, one centered around building a dynamic offense tailored to Caleb Williams’ strengths. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on who the Bears will surround their young QB with.
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