Bears mock draft mailbag: Plenty of ways for Ryan Poles to go at No. 10

New York Times

15-04-2025

The Chicago Bears don't have that one glaring need. General manager Ryan Poles can go in one of several directions at No. 10, which then affects the options at Nos. 39 and 41.
That makes the fruitless exercise of mock drafts even more difficult as far as actually trying to predict it, but it adds to the fun of creating a bunch of different scenarios, which you all did in this year's mock draft mailbag.
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Below are seven submissions and a few thoughts on each one. There were a couple of subscribers who suggested a trade up for Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter — anything is possible — but otherwise, a majority of the mocks had the Bears standing pat at No. 10 or trading back.
1.10 Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
2.39 Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
2.41 JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State
3.72 Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
5.148 Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
7.233 Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
7.240 Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana
Three mocks had Warren going to the Bears in Round 1, and it would be the highest the franchise selected a tight end since Mike Ditka at No. 5 in 1961. It's hard not to imagine what the passing game could look like with Warren, but is tight end a luxury pick for a team with other needs?
I like the Nolen pick if he's there at No. 39. He had 6 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season, so the production is there. I'm curious how Poles is viewing defensive tackle after adding Grady Jarrett alongside Gervon Dexter.
Over the final two weeks before the draft, Tuimoloau will be a popular mock for the Bears. He's 43rd in Dane Brugler's rankings. He has good size, and Brugler writes that Tuimoloau 'is one of the most well-rounded defensive prospects in the draft.'
I don't think JT Tuimoloau gets enough credit for how impactful he was (stats and tape) during OSU's National Title run.
Four playoff gms: 20 pressures, 10 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 FF, A+ vs. the run. pic.twitter.com/2zDCXf0X3Z
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 21, 2025
How much would Chicago love Skattebo? He certainly has the physicality to complement D'Andre Swift. Hook would've been an easy choice had Matt Eberflus still been here with the Toledo connection, plus Hook's profile aligning with 'H.I.T.S.' and he can still fit with this defense, especially on special teams. I like that this draft touched on all the positions of need.
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1.10 Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (I hope and pray he's there; future HOF and Payton Award winner)
2.39 Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
2.41 Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
3.72 Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue
5.150 Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State (trade back for additional '25 pick)
7.231 Dalton Cooper, OT, Oklahoma State (Poles loves late-round tackles)
7.233 Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia (huge guy, high RAS, fits DC's size preferences)
7.240 Tyler Batty, edge, BYU (another long-frame guy for the DC)
I appreciate Eric's footnotes, and his obsession with the trenches — after the first pick, of course. There was a lot of chatter about Jeanty in the mailbag but not many mocks that actually went with him. I imagine, for those of you who used mock draft simulators, that he didn't always get to No. 10. It could also speak to some debate among fans about whether or not he should be the pick if he's there. It would be great to see the conversation at Halas Hall between coach Ben Johnson, running backs coach Eric Bieniemy and the rest of the staff about Jeanty if the Bears are in position to take him at No. 10.
The last RB drafted in the first-round with 800+ career offensive touches in college was 17 years ago (Darren McFadden).
Ashton Jeanty is currently at 797 career offensive touches. A lot of mileage, but he's proven to be durable. pic.twitter.com/ehEieGyjnO
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 7, 2024
Eric then goes all in on the lines with seven linemen, getting an extra pick with a trade back in the fifth round. I like the seventh-round flyer on Ingram-Dawkins, though Brugler has a fourth-round grade on him. Maybe he'd be a good option for Day 3, as Brugler writes, 'Ingram-Dawkins doesn't have a strong body of work, but if you grade to the flashes and trust the size and athletic traits, it is easy to be excited about his pro potential.'
The question Eric will face from reporters after this draft, of course, is if he has any concerns about depth at positions like safety, linebacker and tight end. But that would go for many of the mock drafters, as one thing became clear — it's tough to address those spots with the early three picks.
1.10 Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M
2.39 Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
2.41 Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
3.72 Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
5.148 Dante Trader Jr., S, Maryland
7.233 Esa Pole, OT, Washington State
7.240 Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
For all the time we spend talking about Warren, Jeanty and LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, a defense-defense start to the draft is certainly possible, and in Stewart and Alexander, Shawn is picking two of the stars of the Senior Bowl.
The Halas Hall conversations about Stewart could be fascinating. He has the size, length, speed and strength that automatically fits with what Allen should want. When they watch the film, what do they see when it comes to the lack of production? The fewer questions the better with a top-10 pick, but Stewart's tools are undeniable.
Watch the get-off and burst from Shemar Stewart to capture the corner and flatten to the QB.
The man in 280 pounds.
To quote him after the play: "Don't f-ing play with me! I'm like that!" pic.twitter.com/NxIaGxEowd
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 29, 2025
Johnson makes a lot of sense in Round 2 to be the starting running back. Writes Brugler, 'His play style is reminiscent of DeMarco Murray with a three-down skill set to thrive in a zone-based NFL scheme.'
If the Bears drafted Grant, that would be back-to-back years taking a tackle from an FCS school. Shawn might be an Iowa guy with two Hawkeyes in the draft. Lachey didn't have much production in a poor Hawkeyes passing game, but he has good size and, per Brugler, 'competitive wiring.'
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As for Pole, the seventh-round tackle, I highly recommend this piece by colleague Nick Baumgardner.
1.10 Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
2.39 JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State
2.41 Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
3.72. Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
5.148 Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
7.233 Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
7.240 Ja'Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
I wanted to be sure to include a mock draft that had Membou, whose combine was off the charts. If there's one trend we've seen from Poles during his time as GM, it is that he likes athletes and Membou checks that box. He also becomes either a Day 1 starting left tackle, a left tackle of the future, or maybe a guard of the future.
Armand Membou is a OT prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.90 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 16 out of 1508 OT from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/hnNSrAole0 pic.twitter.com/ihvMVtZ3Bw
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 10, 2025
Johnson appears to be another Bears fan favorite, especially those who watched him run over Big Ten competition. Another reason for this mock's inclusion is the pick of Mukuba in Round 3. Writes Brugler, 'Mukuba's lack of size will be more noticeable against NFL competition, both in coverage and run support, but he brings energy, instincts and play speed to the secondary. He has the mentality and talent to compete for a starting role at free safety.' The Bears need a safety, certainly for 2026, and at a minimum, he can be a special teams contributor this year.
Jack might be another Iowa fan with the Black selection in Round 7, and possibly a Midwest guy, considering the rest of the draft. Bryant had a sensational year at Illinois and has the possession skills to complement the current group of receivers.
1.10 Jalon Walker, edge, Georgia
2.39 Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
2.41 Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
3.72 Oluwafemi Oladejo, edge, UCLA
5.148 Nohl Williams, CB, California
7.233 Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
7.240 LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
What if Brugler's fifth-rated prospect overall is available at No. 10? Walker might not have 'elite size,' as Brugler writes, but there are not as many questions about his production. He led Georgia with 34 pressures last season 'despite ranking seventh on the team in pass-rush snaps.' Someone like Walker would give defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a lot of flexibility with his pass-rush plans.
Georgia LB Jalon Walker didn't have a sack in the box score, but he lived in the Kentucky backfield (8 pressures).
Downhill burst + flexible bend + power in his hands pic.twitter.com/MXtdhbPJZw
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 17, 2024
Hampton was my 39th pick in mock draft 2.0, and he's reportedly visiting Halas Hall this week. Will he get to the second round? His work as a pass catcher helps set him apart — 38 catches for 373 yards last season.
Conerly was one of the Senior Bowl standouts, and if the Bears feel good about Braxton Jones, a second-rounder used on the offensive line may make more sense. Oladejo also had a strong showing in Mobile, but I might've preferred an interior defensive lineman or linebacker at that spot in Round 3.
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After the Bears extended Kyler Gordon's contract, it might make sense to draft a corner to reset the clock a bit opposite Jaylon Johnson. Williams had seven interceptions last season.
1.12 (trade No. 10 to Dallas for Nos. 12 and 76) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas
2.41 Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
2.43 (trade Nos. 39 and 240 to San Francisco for Nos. 43 and 100) TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
3.72 Princely Umanmielen, edge, Ole Miss
3.76 (from Dallas) Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
4.100 (from 49ers) Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
5.148 Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU
7.233 Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
We'll finish with a couple of mocks that include trades. The Bears should probably hope that quarterback Shedeur Sanders slips, or a team — in this case, the Cowboys, presumably — gets jittery for Jeanty. But I also am curious about Banks and where he ultimately goes. In the fall and early winter, he was a common mock selection for the Bears. Brugler has him as his second-ranked guard and 26th overall.
'Banks doesn't have ideal length and needs to improve his sustain tactics to be a consistent finisher against NFL talent,' Brugler writes, 'but he has controlled footwork and depth in his pass sets, plus the fundamental know-how to fit and leverage blocks and keep defenders occupied.'
If the Bears can't get Mason Graham, why not Grant, who was selected in three of the mailbag mocks? Brugler refers to Grant as 'a dominant run presence.' He could be a nice heir apparent to Andrew Billings.
Could the Bears take another safety from Penn State? What if Winston takes over for Jaquan Brisker down the line? Brugler writes that 'rust should be expected during his rookie season,' which is fine because he wouldn't need to start.
Johnson is one of those guys who a lot of fans will be curious to see how his game translates to the NFL. His size is a major question mark, but his speed is something you cannot teach.
1.18 (Seahawks trade No. 18, No. 52 and No. 172 for No. 10) Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
1.24 (Bears trade Nos. 39 and 72 to Vikings for No. 24) Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
2.41 Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
2.52 (from Seattle) Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
4.119 (Bears trade Nos. 148, 233 and 2026 sixth-rounder to Bengals for No. 119) Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
5.152 (from Arizona) Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
5.172 (from Seattle) Beaux Collins, WR, Notre Dame
7.240 Warren Brinson, DT, Georgia
Several of you mocked trades, and regardless of the viability of this particular mock, I did want to reward Jake for his creativity. While I'm still not sure where the 152nd pick came from (how it got from Arizona to Chicago), I'll leave it in and you can explain in the comments.
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Simmons is a fascinating prospect. Without the knee injury, he'd probably be a player we talked about a lot for the Bears at No. 10. But at No. 18, in a situation where he doesn't have to start right away? That's intriguing. 'Simmons is a nimble, coordinated pass protector with tremendous athletic poise and the body control to be a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL.' Nothing wrong with that, but 'his pro projection hinges on medical feedback.'
This might be the best way for the Bears to get Hampton, if the pre-draft hype about him is real. Ezeiruaku is another player who caught my eye at the Senior Bowl and would be a nice fit. The Bears could use another Notre Dame product (he writes, mockingly). Watts had 13 interceptions in the past two seasons.
The aggressive move up into Round 4 for Taylor addresses a need at tight end without giving up a ton as far as premium resources go. Brugler does have Taylor as the 33rd-ranked player, so it might take a lot more to get him, but I'm curious to see if Poles can sit tight in that gap from No. 72 to 148. Last year, he moved up for Austin Booker. Whether it's a tight end, safety or linebacker, he might want to do it again this year.
Our final Bears mock draft comes out next week, and then the fun begins Thursday night, when we see how close any of us get to what Poles, Johnson and the Bears decide to do.
(Photo of Jalon Walker: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)