The Super Bowl is over and the NFL Scouting Combine takes place at the end of the month.
There’s no better time, then, for the Sun-Times’ first mock draft of the season — complete with a pick for whom the Bears will take No. 25 overall in April:
1. Raiders — Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
A franchise that has started quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Gardner Minshew, Desmond Ridder, Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett in the last three years gets its shot at a star.
2. Jets —Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese
Reese is a project as a pass rusher — he had only ½ sack to his name before this year — but Micah Parsons was once upon a time, too.
3. Cardinals — Miami T Francis Mauigoa
Spending the No. 3 pick on a right tackle is a bit unusual, but the Cardinals need to block for their quarterback, whomever it may be.
4. Titans — Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
Rather than adding a receiver to help second-year quarterback Cam Ward, the Titans and defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh land the FBS sacks leader from 2025.
5. Giants — Utah T Spencer Fano
A left tackle will help new coordinator Matt Nagy maximize the trio of quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo.
6. Browns — Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
The Browns stay close to home to land Tate, who immediately becomes their most recognizable wideout in years.
7. Commanders — Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
No one had more pressures last year than Bain. Only six NFL teams had fewer pressures than the Commanders did last season.
8. Saints — Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
The franchise that drafted Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara will pass the torch from the latter to the Notre Dame star to help quarterback Tyler Shough.
9. Chiefs — Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
The Chiefs need more offensive play-makers, be it Love or Tyson, who fought through injuries in each of his past three college seasons.
10. Bengals — Ohio State S Caleb Downs
It would be irresponsible to give the Bengals anyone but a defender. Like the Bengals, they lean on the state university to answer their biggest problem.
11. Dolphins — Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
The Dolphins have a defensive-minded head coach in Jeff Hafley and two starting outside cornerbacks who are set to become free agents.
12. Cowboys — Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
The Cowboys double down on their biggest mistake of last year, trading Micah Parsons, by reaching a bit to land Faulk.
13. Rams (via Falcons) — LSU CB Mansoor Delane
With an embarrassment of riches at the offensive skill positions, the Rams turn their attention to defense with their first of two first-round picks.
14. Ravens — USC WR Makai Lemon
Last year, Zay Flowers became the first Ravens receiver ever (who wasn’t primarily a returner) picked to the Pro Bowl this year. They need more help, though.
15. Buccaneers — Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
He makes sense for the Bucs whether or not veteran Lavonte David decides to return for another season.
16. Jets (via Colts) — Alabama QB Ty Simpson
The Jets, as of now, are trapped in quarterback hell. If they don’t add a veteran to climb out (Kyler Murray? Tua Tagovailoa?) they have to take a swing here.
17. Lions — Alabama T Kadyn Proctor
Taylor Decker is weighing whether or not to retire. If he does, the Lions need to find his replacement, whether it’s in the draft or free agency.
18. Vikings — Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
The Vikings’ tribute to safety Harrison Smith at the end of the season might have foretold his retirement.
19. Panthers — Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
Only the Jets and 49ers had fewer sacks than the Panthers did last season. Howell, who has 27 career sacks, can help.
20. Cowboys (via Packers) — Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
The Cowboys wouldn’t draft two edge rushers in Round 1, right? Right? Their top three pass rushers, per Pro Football Focus, are 27 or older.
21. Steelers — Washington WR Denzel Boston
Mike McCarthy needs to give the Steelers quarterback (Aaron Rodgers again?) young, reliable targets.
22. Chargers — Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane
Jim Harbaugh loves setting the tone on the offensive line, and Ioane can do just that for the Bolts’ head coach
23. Eagles — Clemson CB Avieon Terrell
The question isn’t whether Terrell is worthy — it’s whether the Eagles would spend a first-round pick on someone who’d be their third cornerback.
24. Browns (via Jaguars) — Arizona State T Max Iheanachor
Iheanachor was born in Nigeria and didn’t play football until junior college. He’s the kind of gamble that teams with two first-round picks can afford.
25. Bears — Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker
The Bears have two primary offseason needs that are independent of their ability to re-sign their own free agents: left tackle and edge rusher. In this scenario, Parker — and, as a close second, Missouri defensive end Zion Young — is the best available player at one of those two spots.
Parker had 11 sacks in 2024 but posted only five last year. He was one of the standouts of the Senior Bowl, though, eager to prove that his high-end production was no fluke.
The Bears need both talent and depth on the edges, and figure to eye trades and free agency to fix the problem first. Drafting Parker would give the Bears a chance to find a long-term solution.
26. Bills — Clemson DT Peter Woods
If the Bills are comfortable with his Woods’ shorter-than-ideal arms, he’d make sense on a defensive line that needs help.
27. 49ers — Missouri EDGE Zion Young
The 49ers had the third-worst pressure percentage in the NFL last year and will need to give new coordinator Raheem Morris some pass-rush oomph.
28. Texans — Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald
McDonald, who was given PFF’s best run grade in FBS last year, could help keep the Texans’ defense atop the league.
29. Rams — Tennessee CB Colton Hood
The Rams take their second cornerback of the round in an attempt to shore up their defense to try Cto win perhaps the NFL’s toughest division.
30. Broncos — Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Broncos reunite Sadiq with quarterback Bo Nix, his teammate on the 2023 version of the Ducks.
31. Patriots — Utah T Caleb Lomu
The Pats say they won’t move last year’s first-round pick, Will Campbell, off left tackle. Lomu can play on the right.
32. Seahawks — San Diego State CB Chris Johnson
The champs have three pending free agents at cornerback and could fill a need if either of Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen or Josh Jobe leave.