The Chicago Bears have had a strong offseason so far, improving key areas and adding both talent and better coaching on both sides of the ball, especially in the trenches. However, there are still some gaps to fill as the first and second waves of free agency have passed. Here are the five biggest needs the Bears should address as they prepare for the NFL Draft:
1. Edge Rusher
The addition of Dayo Odeyingbo to pair with Montez Sweat was a solid move, but the Bears still have a pressing need for more depth and potential star power at edge rusher. Ryan Poles has said you can never have too many pass rushers, so it’ll be interesting to see if he targets the best player available at pick 10 or goes for the top edge rusher left on the board.
Bears revamped defensive line:
DE Montez Sweat
DT Grady Jarrett
DT Gervon Dexter
DT Andrew Billings
DE Dayo Odeyingbo— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 10, 2025
2. Running back
While I’m higher on D’Andre Swift than most and believe he can be very productive next season, the Bears still need a complementary back. Jeanty would be ideal if available at 10, but even if he’s gone, this draft class is deep enough for the Bears to find a solid addition later on.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Is this a top 5 offense? pic.twitter.com/pyLEzm3bQO
— BFR Podcast (@bfr_pod) March 18, 2025
3. Offensive Line Depth
The Bears have done a nice job rebuilding the interior offensive line, and Braxton Jones looks set to start at left tackle. Still, injuries are inevitable over a long season, and Poles could look to upgrade at tackle if the right opportunity arises. Adding more depth across the line would help solidify protection for Caleb Williams.
Bears revamped the trenches and still have 4 picks in the top 75.
1-10
2-39 (Carolina)
2-41
3-72Ashton Jeanty remains a realistic option along with trading back etc.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 10, 2025
4. Tight End
This might be controversial, but if Tyler Warren is available at pick 10, the Bears should seriously consider taking him. If Ashton Jeanty is still there, he’d likely be the top choice — though the Raiders may grab him before the Bears get the chance. Cole Kmet is solid, but the coaching staff has underutilized him at times. Pairing Kmet with a high-upside talent like Warren could be a game-changer for Caleb Williams in Ben Johnson’s offense.
5. Safety
Jaquan Brisker is a talented player, but his injury history is concerning. The Bears may use a higher draft pick than expected on a safety to provide insurance in case Brisker misses time. A reliable backup plan would give the defense more stability and allow the secondary to maintain consistency even if Brisker is sidelined.
Linebacker.
Jihadd Campbell from BAMA
Carson Schwesinger UCLA
Cody Lindenberg from MINN
All 3 are good tacklers with good speed. All 3 from big time “programs”.
My understanding is they are considered “off-ball” linebackers. Let the coaching staff get a hold to one these young men and see what happens. Could have a star.
You are correct and solid Dave; the Bears still have numerous needs even after FA as they enter Year Four 4 4 4 4 of the Poles rebuild. I could add some more needs and up-grades as well but those might come well after the draft and UDFA.
David, I am in total agreement with your assessment about not taking an O-lineman at 10. Jeanty and Warren would be such a help to the new offense and if those 2 dudes are not there, you trade back and build a lot of depth in the 2nd and 3rd round after getting a RB and DE. Getting closer boys!! Besides Philly being the strongest NFC team (and they just lost their depth), I don’t really see Washington/ Detroit/Rams/Tampa being that much better than the current Bears roster.
@Wes P I don’t think the team could justify taking a player at #10 that they don’t plan on starting on Day 1. I don’t think there’s an offensive lineman in the draft capable of doing that especially after the guys we brought in with FA. With that being said, I think they should target OL in either the 2nd or 3rd round selections. Generally lineman chosen in the 2nd and 3rd rounds are considered starting material but after a season or 2 of NFL Coaching and possibly needing to get stronger etc. With that being said, really Jeanty and… Read more »
While not as important we also need a 3rd LB. Sandborn is gone therefore we have very little behind him. That 3rd LB is a starting LB in the traditional 4-3 sense.