The Chicago Bears have a new head coach in Ben Johnson. Will he bring his offensive blueprint for success to the team in 2025?
After adding to the offensive line via free agency, Johnson and the Bears made a statement that they will protect 2024 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Those moves could also be a sign of the Bears immolating a two-back rotation that brough Johnson success as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions.
If top running back Ashton Jeanty is there at No. 10, the Bears should pounce on the idea of adding the 2024 Heisman runner up to the mix. If he’s not, there should be plenty of options later in a draft that features a deep running back class. One of those running backs is North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton who is projected as a early Day 2 pick who could potentially slide into the first round. How high in the first round?
Well, according to one NFL Mock Draft, Hampton could be that running back Johnson and the Bears draft if Jeanty is off the board.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks has Bears taking a risk at No. 10
There is nothing risky about a running back like Hampton, who rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns last season with the Tarheels, but is he a top 10 prospect in this draft? According to Brooks’ latest mock draft, the answer is yes.
Brooks writes:
“Ben Johnson's immense success with a two-back rotation in Detroit could prompt Chicago to expend its top pick on a physical runner to partner with the dynamic D'Andre Swift.”
This is a highly possible scenario for the Bears, just not at No. 10 Mr. Brooks. Mock drafts are meant to be fun as analysts and fans get to play general manager, but if some of these mock draft selections played out on draft day, fanbases would be bewildered by the thought process of their front office. On the flip side of that, draft projections could prove to be wrong as sometimes players taken later in the draft prove to be the stars while those in the top 10 end up being busts.
When it comes to a running back like Hampton, he could and probably would be impactful in a Ben Johnson offense, especially sharing the rock with D’Andre Swift, but at No. 10 the Bears can address other needs and take Hampton or another of the talented running backs on Day 2 or even Day 3 in this draft.
NFL Mocks has Bears going offensive line
Love Hampton’s potential fit with the Bears but can’t agree where the North Carolina running back is selected. In his latest mock draft, John Blair has the Bears continuing to build the offensive line with the selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. who is described as “a dominant pass protector with elite athleticism”. This has been the pick for most mock drafts and the idea of Banks round 1 and then Hampton round 2 is more realistic.
But who knows!