By this point, most of the top prospects for the Chicago Bears have been talked about extensively. Ashton Jeanty, Will Campbell, and Shemar Stewart have had a lot of coverage. However, the draft frequently brings surprises. What if things don’t go according to chalk? This article explores some prospects who make sense for Chicago without being “obvious” choices.
For each of the first three rounds, I present an offensive prospect and a defensive prospect, just to avoid showing any favoritism. As for later in the draft–there’s not really such a thing as a “dark horse” pick on Day Three.
First-round Dark Horses
Colston Loveland, TE (Michigan) - A lot of people have discussed the possibility of the Bears taking a tight end in the first round, but much of that conversation has focused on Penn State’s Tyler Warren. What about the other tight end from the B1G TEN who could go in the first round? Arguably a better blocker than the Nittany Lion and certainly a “counterpoint” to the skills offered by Cole Kmet, Loveland offers an interesting solution to how to get value out of Chicago’s first-round pick. Drafting a left tackle seems like it creates a surplus at the position once Braxton Jones comes back from injury, but Kiran Amegadjie probably can’t be left with the responsibility until that time. Having the Loveland could provide chip help early and allow the rookie time to grow into other responsibilities.
Jahdae Barron, DB (Texas) - Viewed as a corner, it’s tough to argue for Barron to the Bears. He lacks top-end speed and is much like Kyler Gordon in the way he offers versatility between nickel and CB2. Viewed as an impact safety, however, the Longhorn could be a gem. He has a violent tackling style and is aggressive in contesting balls, plus he has the instincts and athleticism to freelance a little and be a disruptive presence underneath. His versatility could be viewed as a strength for a team that has talent in the secondary but that does not always have consistency.
I also have to admit that I get a certain pleasure out of the former boxer coming to the home of the Peanut Punch.
Second-round Dark Horses
Elic Ayomanor, WR (Stanford) - At this point, there is no such thing as a “dark horse” running back for Chicago, since all of them make sense for the team in some way. However, Ayomanor is the sort of wide receiver who merits contention for a team that’s set at WR1 but that needs depth and a vertical threat. Ayomanor can create separation in the deep middle, and he has enough speed and technique that he can get open–or at least that he can get open enough that he can use his 6’2”, 200-plus-pound frame to box out the defender. I can see him being a solid WR2 for years. In the case of Chicago, it would be WR3 at least through 2028.
Honorable Mention: As mentioned, pick any of the highly-touted running backs in this class and there is a reasonable chance Chicago will pull the trigger on one of them that they like if he is there with either of their second-round picks.
Draft-day TRADE for Trey Hendrickson (with theCincinnati Bengals) - Perhaps no GM likes trading for players who need to be extended more than Ryan Poles. The Bengals like to “win” trades and they reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Hendrickson. However, if there is still no resolution to the contract situation in late April, would they really pass on the chance to address their needs if the right player fell to 39 or 41? For that matter, while as it stands the Bears wouldn’t have the cap space to absorb the hit Hendrickson would entail, the cap is flexible to a point and Poles could decide to go all-in.
Third-round Dark Horses
Aiereontae Ersery, OT (Minnesota) - It’s only the weird bunchiness of the 2025 tackle class that lets me think that Ersery could be there in the third round. While he is currently ranked in the top fifty or so prospects on big boards, he’s also weirdly the fourth- through eighth-best tackle on many of them. Assuming the teams that need starters at tackle get their fill with Campbell, Membou, Banks, Simmons, Conerly, and even Savaiinaea, Ersery could be there at the top of the third round even though he deserves a second-round grade. He brings experience (39 starts at tackle, 38 of them on the left for the Minnesota Golden Gophers) and natural athleticism, even if he plays high and needs to work on his timing.
Honorable mention: Charles Grant, OT (William & Mary) - If you don’t believe that Ersery will be there are 72 and if the Amegadjie experience feels like it needs a do-over, there’s always the loose-limbed player with 41 starts at left tackle from William & Mary. Questions over his competition level mean that he’s likely to linger in the class.
Teddye Buchanon, LB (California) - If Ryan Poles has shown any real tendency in his three years of drafting, it’s that he will reach in the third round for a player at a position of need if he has the right measurables. Velus Jones, jr., Zacch Pickens, and Kiran Amegadjie set the trend. Chicago has a pending need at linebacker, and Buchanon just led linebackers in both bench press reps (26) and vertical (40.0”) at the combine. He has an instinct for the ball, recording 12 TFLs, 5 sacks, 4 PDs, and 2 forced fumbles across his 13 starts in the ACC. He is considered by most to be a special teamer best selected on Day Three, but he has a relentless motor and a year of good production to go with impressive athletic potential.
Concluding Thoughts
It only takes one trade by a team “upstream” or a single unexpected move to throw off draft boards. I don’t know how likely any of these moves are, but there is a month more for teams to finish making plans. It should be interesting to learn which way the team leading Chicago intends to go.