Here we are, it’s finally draft week. For the first time in recent memory, I have no clue what the Bears will do in the first round. Usually by this time I have a pretty good idea, maybe not the exact player but the position. This year, no idea.

That’s a credit to the work Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have done thus far. There is no glaring hole on this roster. The Bears can go in so many different directions. For once, they are actually in a position to take the best player available.

I went into this mock with three players as locks for the Bears to take if they’re available at ten. Those players are LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham & Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

I don’t really expect any of those three to be available, and they weren’t in this mock. When the Bears went on the clock at ten, the best player on the board was Penn State tight end, Tyler Warren.

I like Warren, a lot, but the Bears have Cole Kmet. Is tight end really the best use of their first round pick, even when he’s as good as Warren?

My gut told me no, so I listened to offers. I accepted one from the Indianapolis Colts.

TRADE

Colts receiver pick #10

Bears receiver picks #14 & 80

I figured the Colts were moving up for Warren, and my focus shifted to Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams, Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr & North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.

Imagine my surprise when Indianapolis selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Four picks later, when the Bears were back on the clock, it felt like fate and I didn’t fight it anymore.

Round One, Pick #14

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

While I was reluctant to use a first round pick on a tight end, partly out of my affinity for Cole Kmet, there is no denying that Warren is one of the best players in this draft.

A creative play caller like Ben Johnson will have a lot of fun with Warren and maximize his vast potential. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Warren could be this year’s Brock Bowers.

This pick makes me a little sad because it could signal the end of Kmet’s Bears tenure. The one-two punch of Warren and Kmet will be fun this season, but Kmet could become a cap casualty next offseason. Warren is a clear upgrade and the Bears could save valuable cap space by moving on from Kmet next year.

That being said, this was the right pick, especially since I was able to add an extra third round pick and still land him.

Round Two, Pick #39

Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon

The Bears caught another stroke of luck with Conerly still being on the board at thirty nine. This was my easiest pick in this mock draft.

Conerly is young and relatively raw, but his potential is immense. Review the tape of his performance against Penn State’s superstar edge, Abdul Carter, and you’ll see it.

Conerly needs to add play strength and further develop his technique, but the good news is that the Bears don’t need him to be a day one starter at left tackle.

Braxton Jones is the incumbent left tackle and he should be ready for the start of the season. The Bears also have last year’s third round pick, Kiran Amegadjie, so they can take it slow with Conerly, hopefully.

Jones will likely depart Chicago next offseason and Conerly should be ready to take over full time left tackle duties.

This is a tremendous pick that I’m very happy with.

Round Two, Pick #41

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

While I might be unsure of what the Bears will do with their first pick of this draft, there are three things I’m certain of. I feel extremely confident that the Bears will pick an offensive tackle, a running back and a defensive tackle in this draft. In this mock, they’ve gotten two of the three in the second round.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the clear number one running back in this class, but I doubt he makes it to the Bears pick in the first round. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton should also be a first rounder, but he’s a stretch at ten or even fourteen.

The Ohio State tandem of Henderson and Quinshon Judkins aren’t that far behind. I specified my preference for Judkins in earlier writings. I just think he’d complement D’Andre Swift and give the Bears a power element to their backfield that they currently lack.

The Bears, however, seem to prefer Henderson according to reports. It’s understandable. Henderson has drawn comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs, who Ben Johnson coached in Detroit. Henderson has three down capabilities and he might well be the best pass blocking running back in this draft.

I’m very happy with this pick, even if I personally prefer Judkins.

Round Three, Pick #72

TJ Sanders, DT, South Carolina

This is a very deep defensive tackle class and I’m sure the Bears will grab one. Here, they pick Sanders, who offers potential three down value.

Though a bit undersized than a classic run stuffer, Sanders is an adept run defender and offers some juice as a pass rusher. He should find a role in the Bears defensive line rotation.

TRADE

Rams receive picks #80 & 240

Bears receive picks #90 & 127

The Bears acquired the eightieth pick from Indianapolis in their first round trade, the offer of a fourth round pick to move down ten spots is too good to pass up.

Round Three Pick #90

Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State

The Bears have an underrated, if not pressing need at safety. Kevin Byard is 32 and clearly on the downside of his career. Jaquan Brisker has a concerning history of concussions. Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks are both solid backups and special teamers but neither appears to be a long term starter.

Ransom is a smart, physical safety that excels in run support and intermediate coverage. He doesn’t possess top end speed, but his football smarts usually have him in good position.

Ransom should develop into a plus starter at safety for the Bears.

Round Four, Pick #127

Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon

I have the Bears double dipping into this deep defensive tackle class because I think they might have more need there than originally thought.

I have a feeling that Gervon Dexter is going to transition to defensive end, leaving the Bears thin on the interior. New addition Grady Jarrett is still a good pass rusher and Andrew Billings is a stout run defender, but neither are three down guys at this point of their careers. The rest of the Bears defensive line room are rotational depth pieces.

While their earlier pick at defensive tackle, TJ Sanders, does profile as a three down player, he is actually better as a pass rusher. Caldwell, on the other hand, is a classic run stuffer.

With Billings in the final year of his contract, Caldwell could be positioned as his heir apparent, while playing a rotational role as a rookie.

Round Five, Pick #148

Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State

The outside cornerback spot opposite Jaylon Johnson is a question mark. Tyrique Stevenson has flashed potential, but his game really regressed down the stretch in 2024. He became a liability.

Maybe a change in coaching staffs can resurrect his career, but having a backup plan is a good idea.

Black has good size and excellent speed and has shown good traits. There are elements of his game that need improvement, but he’s well worth a fifth round pick.

Round Seven, Pick #233

Willie Lampkin, IOL, North Carolina

Lampkin is vastly undersized to be an NFL lineman, but he’s just a damn good football player.

To put it away Bears fans will completely understand, Willie Lampkin is the exact opposite of Nate Davis. If you could fill out a roster with guys that play with the passion and determination of Lampkin, you’d win multiple Super Bowls.

His lack of size limits his prospects, but he could find a role as a backup center or he is athletic enough to convert to fullback.