The Chicago Bears enter the offseason with optimism after hiring Ben Johnson, widely regarded as one of the top head coaching candidates in the NFL. Now, the team must surround him with the kind of talent that helped him thrive as the offensive coordinator in Detroit.
A key focus will be improving the offense, which ranked last in the NFL in yards per game and averaged only 18.2 points per game. In contrast, the Lions, with Johnson at the helm, led the league in points per game (33.2) and finished second in yards per game.
In this seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Bears prioritize upgrading their offense, particularly the offensive line, and add one of the top running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. In addition to strengthening their offense, the team also addresses needs on the defensive line.
Chicago Bears' seven-round NFL mock draft
Round 1 Pick 10: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Chicago Bears' top priority this offseason is strengthening their offensive line, which surrendered the most sacks last season and ranked 30th in the NFL in yards per carry. While they have solid options at tackle with Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, the interior line remains a glaring weakness. Selecting Kelvin Banks Jr. in the draft would provide them with an athletic and versatile lineman who could start at guard as a rookie or remain at tackle, allowing the Bears to shift Jones inside to guard.
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Round 2 Pick 39: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
After bolstering their offensive line in the first round, the Bears turn their attention to upgrading their running game by selecting one of the top backs in the NFL Draft, Kaleb Johnson. The Iowa standout is a powerful runner who led the Big Ten in rushing last season, despite facing stacked defenses due to the Hawkeyes' struggling passing attack. Pairing Johnson with D’Andre Swift would would create a dynamic backfield duo for Chicago, reminiscent of the successful combination Ben Johnson had in Detroit with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Round 2 Pick 41: JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State
With their third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears land their third player with a first-round grade on my board, selecting defensive end JT Tuimoloau. The 6-foot-5, 269-pound edge rusher fits the physical mold favored by new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Tuimoloau is a proven pass rusher, racking up 12.5 sacks this season, and excels against the run, earning an impressive 87.3 PFF run defense grade. He would be a strong replacement for DeMarcus Walker, whom the team released last week.
Round 3 Pick 72: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
The Chicago Bears continue to strengthen their defensive line in the third round by selecting defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott. Known for his explosive pass-rushing ability, Norman-Lott would play a key role on passing downs alongside Gervon Dexter, giving the Bears a powerful tandem of young, dynamic defensive tackles who can disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
Round 5 Pick 149: Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
Another position the Bears need to address on the offensive line is center. Last season's starter, Coleman Shelton, was the lowest-graded starting lineman on the team, according to Pro Football Focus, with a subpar grade of 66.4. Throughout the year, he allowed three sacks and an alarming 26 pressures. A potential replacement could be Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin, who, while on his way to winning the Rimington Trophy as the top center in college football, gave up just seven pressures last season. If McLaughlin can demonstrate that his recovery from a torn Achilles is progressing well, he could be a great value pick in the fifth round for the Bears.
Round 6 Pick 197: Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
Cole Kmet has firmly secured the starting tight end position, but the depth behind him is lacking, especially after the team recently cut Gerald Everett, and with Marcedes Lewis set to become a free agent, likely not returning next season. This leaves the Bears with a pressing need to add depth to their tight end room, particularly considering how much Johnson likes to utilize 12 personnel. One potential target could be Jackson Hawes, who was named the best blocking tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft by the 33rd team. Known for his exceptional ability to finish blocks, Hawes could provide an immediate boost to the Bears’ tight end corps.
Round 7 Pick 235: Garrett Dellinger, OG, LSU
The Bears bolster their offensive line depth further by selecting LSU’s Garrett Dellinger, whom I’ve identified as the top sleeper at the offensive guard position. What sets Dellinger apart is his physical playing style and versatility. He consistently plays through the whistle, showcasing impressive strength that makes him tough to bullrush, evidenced by the fact that he has allowed only one sack over the past two seasons. Additionally, Dellinger’s versatility shines through, as he has experience playing every position along the Tigers’ offensive line.
Round 7 Pick 242: Efton Chism III, WR, Eastern Washington
The Chicago Bears need to add depth at the wide receiver position, as outside of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, no other receivers on the roster had more than nine receptions last season. One of the most productive wideouts in the 2025 NFL Draft is Eastern Washington’s Efton Chism III, who led the FCS with 120 catches and finished second in receiving yards with 1,311.