The NFL is a couple of weeks into its new league year, and the dust has started to settle on free agency. Although there still are some free agents left to be signed, teams and fans have started to shift their focus to next month’s draft in Green Bay, Wis.
The Bears are in a different spot this time around compared with the past two seasons. General manager Ryan Poles doesn’t hold the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in three years. But Poles and new Bears head coach Ben Johnson do have some top draft capital.
Poles will have seven picks in the draft from April 24-26. The Bears hold the No. 10 overall pick along with Nos. 39 and 41 in the second round. They’re also set to choose in the third (No. 72), fifth (No. 148) and seventh (Nos. 233 and 240) rounds.
Here’s what experts from across the NFL media landscape think the Bears will do during the first round.
Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Tannenbaum wrote (Tuesday): “Penn State’s Tyler Warren could be a great addition to the tight end room, and Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons would only continue the significant offensive line rework of the Bears' offseason. But Graham is still on the board, and the Bears would love to have a dominant pass-rushing defensive tackle — even after signing Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.”
Yahoo Sports
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Yahoo Sports' Charles McDonald wrote (Tuesday): “The Bears have completely revamped the interior of their offensive line, and now they find a long-term option at left tackle to finish their efforts up front.”
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Prisco wrote (Tuesday): “They upgraded their offensive line in free agency but will continue to do so here by taking Banks to challenge Braxton Jones at left tackle.”
Ben Standig, The Athletic
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Standig wrote (Monday): “Signing free agent Dayo Odeyingbo should not preclude the Bears from pursuing an edge defender, whether they’re monitoring a Trey Hendrickson trade or dipping into this deep class.”
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote (Monday): “Rather than merely be an additive presence, Jeanty could be the kind of figure who helps recalibrate the attack, creating big gains by slipping past would-be tacklers or bouncing off them.”
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Kiper wrote (March 18): “Williams is a toolsy prospect who can beat blockers with his speed or power. He missed time with an ankle injury early last season but still picked up five sacks. Given a little more time to develop, he could be a really solid NFL edge rusher.”
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Jeremiah wrote (March 18): “The overhaul of the offensive line is now complete with a new left tackle in place. Chicago’s trio of March O-line acquisitions would be sandwiched between two top-10 picks in Campbell and right tackle Darnell Wright.”
Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Flick wrote (Tuesday): “Chicago still needs help at tackle, and Membou may be the draft’s best. He’s athletic, strong and didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit in 2024.”
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Rogers wrote (Monday): “Jeanty instantly takes pressure off Caleb Williams in the Bears offense and allows new head coach Ben Johnson to develop a lethal play-action passing attack.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Reuter wrote (Friday): “General manager Ryan Poles — briefly a Bears offensive lineman himself — may believe the athletic, long Membou can make the transition permanently to challenge Braxton Jones, a free agent in 2026, for the LT spot this season.”