Pro Football Focus (PFF) released an article discussing the ideal haul for every team in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s what they put for the Chicago Bears draft haul:
“The Bears are sitting pretty given their relatively low list of team needs but surplus of resources to account for them, including four picks in the top 72. Chicago could land some legit stars on both sides of the ball in that range.
Campbell (80.6 PFF pass-blocking grade) is the No. 1 overall offensive lineman on PFF’s big board but could slide due to arm length concerns, which Ben Johnson would be ecstatic to see. Johnson (86.7 PFF rushing grade) would be a perfect fit for Johnson’s zone-heavy scheme, which he ran on 60% of rushing plays last season. Knight Jr. (82.8 overall PFF grade) could bolster a linebacking corps featuring down years from Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Finally, Williams (70.2 PFF receiving grade) offers size and quickness to replace the departing Keenan Allen.”
While these picks provide value, the Bears could make even better selections. This isn’t a criticism of the players, but rather an argument for a more strategic draft approach. Here’s how the Bears draft should look like in the first three rounds.
Fixing PFF’s Flawed Draft Plan for the Bears’ First Three Rounds
Round 1
Will Campbell is arguably the top offensive lineman in the draft. However, with concerns about his arm length, many analysts view him transitioning from tackle to guard at the pro level. He also plays with an extremely high pad level at 6’5″ and 319 pounds. Drafting a lengthy lineman like Campbell who’s never played guard in his career seems like a risky move for the Bears. It’s not like they have a huge need at guard either with Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
There are multiple other avenues the Bears can take. First, if there’s a chance that either Mason Graham or Ashton Jeanty are there at 10, it’s a no-brainer pick. If not, the next best option would be to trade back. Trading back could yield valuable assets while still landing a high-quality prospect. The other option would be to take tight end Tyler Warren, though Ben Johnson has rarely utilized two tight ends in his offense. With limited top-end talent at other positions, staying at 10 may result in reaching for a player—something the Bears don’t need to do this year.
Round 2
Drafting Kaleb Johnson would be a good pick in the second round. The point here is the Bears should ideally draft a running back by the end of round two, whether it’s Johnson, Asthon Jeanty, or another RB. The problem is drafting Demetrius Knight Jr.
While he’s a good player, the Bears barely incorporate a third linebacker on defense. Last season, Jack Sanborn was on the field for only 22% of the snaps, and he was healthy the whole season. T.J. Edwards has been fantastic for the Bears, and the hope is Dennis Allen will help Tremaine Edmunds return to form. Using a second-round pick on a linebacker is less than ideal, and there are better options.
Instead, Chicago should look to strengthen the trenches. Offensively, prospects like Josh Conerly Jr., Donovan Jackson, Jonah Savaiinaea, and Aireontae Ersery could be available. Defensively, tackles such as Darius Alexander, T.J. Sanders, and Tyleik Williams, as well as edge rushers like Landon Jackson, Princely Umanmielen, and J.T. Tuimoloau, will be solid options. Given the depth of talent in the trenches, it makes more sense to address those positions in Round 2.
Round 3
Savion Williams is a talented prospect, but the Bears don’t need to invest a premium pick on a wide receiver this year. It looks like the plan is to let Rome Odunze take on a larger role on offense next to D.J. Moore, and the Bears brought in what might be their most underrated free-agent signing in Olamide Zaccheaus. Plus General Manager Ryan Poles spent a fourth-round pick on Tyler Scott in 2023, so it just doesn’t make sense to use a third-round pick on a wide receiver.
Instead, the third round feels like the perfect time to draft a safety. There are so many talented safeties that will likely be available like Kevin Winston Jr., Andrew Mukuba, and Sebastian Castro to name a few. With veteran Kevin Byard nearing the end of his contract and Jaquan Brisker’s history of concussions, selecting a young safety to develop as a future starter would be a wise investment.
Read More: Full 7-Round Chicago Bears Mock Draft Without Trades
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