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The 2025 NFL Draft, hosted in the rival territory of Green Bay, Wisconsin, represented a pivotal moment for the Chicago Bears. Riding the momentum from a promising finish to the 2024 season and armed with a new, highly-regarded head coach in Ben Johnson.
The Bears entered the draft focused on adding talent to build around franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and implement Johnson’s offensive vision. General Manager Ryan Poles, known for his active approach during the draft weekend, orchestrated another series of moves, ultimately making eight selections aimed at bolstering both sides of the ball and laying a stronger foundation for sustained success.
Surprising Pick at Number 10
With the tenth overall pick, the Bears addressed a key offensive need, but not in the way many experts predicted. Instead of selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, a popular projection, Poles and Johnson opted for tight end Colston Loveland from Michigan.
Loveland, fresh off a national championship season with the Wolverines, brings a dynamic receiving element to the tight end room, complementing the more traditional, in-line abilities of veteran Cole Kmet. Standing tall with a promising frame, Loveland excels as a pass-catcher, capable of stretching the seam, finding soft spots in zone coverage, and creating mismatches. Coach Johnson reportedly sees parallels between Loveland and his former star pupil in Detroit, Sam LaPorta, who earned All-Pro honors as a rookie. While Loveland’s blocking needs some work, his immediate potential as a receiving threat aligns perfectly with Johnson’s offensive philosophy. Selecting the versatile tight end provided a cornerstone piece for the new offensive scheme, signaling a commitment to explosive, modern offense.
Bears Score Big on Day Two
Entering Day two, the Bears held the No. 39 overall pick (acquired from the Carolina Panthers in a previous trade) and quickly made waves by selecting wide receiver Luther Burden III from Missouri. Burden was a player many projected to go significantly earlier, potentially even in the first round, making his availability at 39 a steal for Chicago.
Burden exploded onto the scene as a sophomore at Missouri, racking up over 1,200 receiving yards primarily from the slot. Though his production saw a slight dip in 2024, his talent remained undeniable. He plays with aggressiveness and has exceptional body control, allowing him to make difficult catches in traffic. Burden is particularly dangerous after the catch, ranking among the nation’s leaders in yards after the catch during his college career. While his route running needs polish, his speed and ability to defeat zone coverage make him an immediate asset. Furthermore, he adds value as a dynamic punt returner. This pick was lauded by analysts as a potential steal, providing Williams with another versatile weapon and creating some competition in the wide receiver room. The young reciever has the potential to secure the starting slot role early in his career.
G.M. Poles Stayed Busy on Day Two
Ryan Poles wasn’t done maneuvering in the second round. The Bears executed trades, eventually landing at pick No. 56, where they selected offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo from Boston College. Trapilo wasn’t the most heralded offensive tackle prospect, but he has traits the Bears clearly value: versatility, durability, and intelligence. Having started at both left tackle and right tackle for Boston College, and even having experience at guard early in his college career, he offers crucial flexibility along the offensive line. His durability is a significant plus, especially after the Bears cycled through numerous offensive line combinations due to injuries in 2024. At Boston College, he demonstrated reliability, allowing only two sacks over the past two seasons. While perhaps not an elite athlete, Trapilo’s size, length, and discipline make him a solid prospect who could challenge for playing time or, at the very least, provide high-quality depth at multiple positions.
Just six picks later, the Bears turned their attention to the defensive side of the ball, drafting defensive tackle Shemar Turner from Texas A&M. Turner brings an infectious energy and impressive versatility, having played multiple positions along the Aggies’ defensive line. He plays with a violent, high-motor style that should mesh well with the philosophy of head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Eric Washington. Turner’s ability to disrupt plays with active hands and pursue ball carriers adds needed tenacity, particularly against the run, an area where the Bears showed vulnerability late last season.
While the Bears have invested significantly in the defensive tackle position recently, Turner provides quality depth and a different skill set. Some experts questioned using another high pick on an interior lineman when edge rusher remained a perceived need opposite Montez Sweat, but Turner’s potential makes him a solid pick.
Bears Add Depth On Day Three
Day 3 saw the Bears focus on adding depth and competition across the roster. With their fourth round pick, they selected linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II from Maryland. An experienced player with 51 games under his belt for the Terrapins, the young linebacker led Maryland’s defense with a career-high 66 tackles in 2024. He brings solid tackling ability and depth to the linebacker corps.
With their fifth round choice, the Bears selected cornerback Zah Frazier from UTSA. Adding depth to the cornerback room, he’ll likely compete for a reserve role and contribute to special teams.
In the sixth round, they selected offensive guard Luke Newman out of Michigan State. Providing further depth along the interior offensive line, Newman adds competition behind Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis.
The Bears rounded out their draft by selecting Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai, a productive back for the Scarlet Knights. He adds another body to the running back room and potentially could carve out a role on special teams.
Bears’ Draft Strategy Scored Excellent Grades
Overall, the Bears’ 2025 draft strategy centered heavily on supporting their young quarterback and implementing Ben Johnson’s offensive system. The first two picks, Loveland and Burden, directly addressed the need for dynamic pass-catching options, while Trapilo added crucial, versatile depth to the offensive line. The selection of Turner aimed to bolster the defensive front’s physicality and versatility.
Day three focused on adding depth and competition across various position groups. Ryan Poles continued his trend of actively maneuvering the draft board to target specific players and maximize value. Draft grades from analysts varied, ranging from solid B’s to A’s, with particular enthusiasm for the value found in Luther Burden III.
The immediate impact will likely come from the top picks, Loveland and Burden, who possess the skills to contribute significantly in their rookie seasons within Johnson’s offense. Trapilo and Turner add important depth and rotational ability to the lines. The success of this draft class will ultimately be measured by their contribution to the success of Caleb Williams and the overall improvement of the team under the new coaching regime. Bears fans have reason to be optimistic that this group of rookies will play a significant role in building a successful future in Chicago.
