Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do before the 2025 NFL Draft opens on April 24. As it stands, the Chicago Bears have four picks within the top 75, and they may add on to that if they find a trade-back opportunity.
Spoiler alert, that is exactly what I do in this edition of my Chicago Bears mock draft.
Chicago is in a weird spot after a trench-heavy offseason. Do you go for a new shiny toy in Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, or do you continue to add up front? With the way I see the board shaking out, I don’t expect any of the Bears' top four targets to be there when they pick at 10 overall, so trading back and allowing a team to get one of their top targets makes a lot of sense.
Now, you might be wondering what the terms of the trade are, and it might be the perfect time to do so.
Trade Details
Chicago Receives:
14th Overall
45th Overall
117th Overall
Indianapolis Receives:
10th Overall
240th Overall (Vikings pick that was acquired from Cleveland)
14th Overall (via IND): Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Ole Miss Rebel is one of the most well-rounded defensive tackles in the entirety of the class. As a pass rusher, Nolen was able to record 6.5 sacks in 362 pass rush snaps. It wasn’t just the traditional statsheet that Nolen impacted in the pass game. In 2024, Nolen compiled 25 hurries, four quarterback hits, and two batted balls. Transitioning to his run-stopping ability, Nolen was a force up the middle with 14 tackles for loss.
Versatility is the key to Nolen’s game, and he can play anywhere on the defensive line. Throughout the 2024 campaign, Nolen played in 587 defensive snaps and saw himself lined up anywhere from a 1-tech (shoulder of the center) to a 5-tech (outside shoulder of the center).
39th Overall (via CAR): Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Josh Conerly Jr. saw an improvement from his first season as a starter in 2023, where he gave up 14 hurries, one sack, and six quarterback hits. The year-to-year improvement is something you want to see in a prospect because it shows that they still have room to grow, rather than the ones who plateau.
Conerly has NFL-ready pass-blocking skills and put that on display against Big Ten edge rushers in 2024, only allowing one sack in 79 more pass-blocking snaps. Technique won’t be an issue, especially with the fluid footwork he shows.
The questions come with his run blocking ability, while he won’t be a “project” like others, he needs to refine his technique and power before you can confidently throw him out in the starting lineup.
41st Overall: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
The Ole Miss revolution continues as the Bears take an athletic, traits-based pass rusher in Princely Umanmielen. Despite not being an excellent run defender, Umanmielen more than makes up for it with his pass-rushing prowess.
In five collegiate seasons, Umanmielen compiled 25.5 sacks with 17 of those coming in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Something that Umanmielen possesses that you don’t see in the box score is a high football IQ. Despite not being a power edge rusher, he can force tackles off center, allowing him to take over with his finesse moves.
Umanmielen’s lackluster run-stopping ability will likely be what causes him to slip in the draft, but whoever takes him will get a potentially elite pass rusher in the future.
45th Overall: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Just a year after the Bears gave D’Andre Swift a 3-year, $24 million contract, they find themselves back in the running back market. Ohio State has a pair of running backs who could find themselves going early on day two of the draft.
Judkins, an Ole Miss transfer, split carries with TreVeyon Henderson in 2024, but still recorded wonderful numbers en route to a National Championship. In only 194 carries, Judkins recorded 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, the second highest in his collegiate career.
Judkins possesses masterful contact balance, allowing him to shed off tackles while not losing momentum, which helps make up for his speed limitations.
72nd Overall: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Ben Johnson’s offense is built on speed, and we’ve seen that be a priority with the signings of Devin Duvernay and Olamide Zaccheus. Bond’s 4.39 speed would fit nicely with the wide receiver group the Bears already have. Isaiah Bond doesn’t lack any bit of athleticism, with speed and explosiveness, there is nothing a coach doesn’t want from him.
When it comes to his play on the field, Bond has the versatility to line up on the outside or in the slot. In the slot, he will be a yards-after-catch nightmare and a mismatch for teams who aren’t in nickel.
The concerns with Bond come with his frame, at 5’11”, 180 pounds, Bond struggles to beat more physical cornerbacks.
117th Overall (via IND): Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
Linebacker became a bigger need for the Bears after they decided to non-tender RFA Jack Sanborn, who ultimately signed with the Dallas Cowboys, following former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
Mondon would be the perfect off-ball linebacker to develop behind T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. As an exceptional athlete, Mondon would bring a different pace to a Bears’ linebacker room that drastically needs it.
Smael Mondon plays with an active motor and constantly finds himself in the middle of a play. In 2024, Mondon racked up 57 tackles, three pass deflections, and three sacks. Mondon plays very fast side-to-side and rarely misses tackles, missing only three in 2024.
148th Overall: Jake Briningstool, TE, Clemson
Despite signing Durham Smythe, the Bears are still in need of a TE2. While Briningstool might not have had the most production but he has all the tools to become a decent backup tight end in the NFL. 2024 was a career year for Briningstool with 49 receptions, 530 yards, and seven touchdowns.
With exceptional route running and body control, it’s tough for defensive backs to beat him on 50/50 balls once he beats the second level. Briningstool is best suited to be a “Y tight end” wherever he lands in the NFL due to his below-average blocking ability.
233rd Overall (via CIN): Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
Chicago only has one safety under contract beyond 2025, and even if Hook doesn’t turn into a starting caliber player, you still have depth at the position, similar to Elijah Hicks.
Hook is a sure tackler and has only missed 6.4% of tackles in his collegiate career, finishing with 359 total tackles in five seasons.
Hook would come in and be another impact player on special teams, increasing his chances for a spot on an NFL roster.
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