Trades
CHI: 1:17, 3:100, 6:194, 6:195
LAR: 1:14
The Bears start out by trading back with a OT-needy Rams, who select Kelvin Banks, while the Bears acquire more Picks later in a very deep draft class.
CHI: 1:28, 2025 2nd
MIN: 2:40, 3:100, 2025 3rd
The Bears trade up in both the present and future, acquiring a first and second pick in 2025 and 2026 respectively, while trading away 2 mid round Picks this year. The Bears take pole position on trading up and back, doing both hear in the first round, which allows them to get premium talent possibly not available at the 40 spit.
Draft Picks
Round 1
17- Mykel Williams, Georgia, DE
28- Cameron Williams, Texas, OT
Caleb, welcome to the Williams show. 2 of them are welcomed to the Windy City in this edition of my mock, which both suffice important needs for QB1. We start out with Mykel Williams, who fills the void at DE2 behind Montez Sweat. A player apart of thar gritty Kirby Smart defense should traverse well into the league, which will be needed for this team to contend next year. Next up is Cameron Williams, and Big OT from Texas. Caleb couldn't be happier with this pick, because if I were him I'd love a 300-pounder stopping me from getting sacked 9 times in a game. The Texas Tackle could start immediately in front of Braxton Jones, who could be traded or kept around for depth.
Round 2
45- Donovan Jackson, Ohio St, OG
Only one pick here in the second after trading Carolina's to Minnesota. That doesn't mean we lack in talent however, because we get a huge piece on the O-Line that will hopefully start Year 1 along with newly acquired Cameron Williams. Both Guard spots will likely be up for grabs, as I do predict Teven Jenkins, a former 2nd rounder himself, will leave in Free Agency after his injury-riddled Rookie Contract ends. Donovan could prove a valuable piece in the long run.
Round 3
76- Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, S
Only one pick again this round, but oh boy is it a big one. Xavier Watts is someone I have watched in person, and his value to that Fighting Irish defense is undeniable. His partner in crim Benjamin Morrison and him, when healthy that is, have proved to be an unstoppable force, and Chicago looks to grab half of that here in Round 3. While the need of a Safety isn't imminent for such a needy team, the talent here is what makes this pick worth it. Xavier can learn behind a top-10 Safety in the NFL in Kevin Byard, and will hopefully develop in no time, even being a valuable piece in 2025.
Round 4
No Picks in the 4th here for the Bears, but I don't doubt a trade could occur, possibly with the aforementioned Braxton Jones, that would acquire one.
Round 5
151- Jay Higgins, Iowa, LB
A one-stop-shop here in the 5th nets one of the best pure Linebackers in College Football, Jay Higgins. The Hawkeyes have a history of developing NFL-ready talent at every position other than QB, and the Bears hope to get one here. I wouldn't be surprised if Higgins goes much higher than people expect, like his mentor Jack Campbell did 2 years ago, but as of right now the projection stays low. If the Bears do end up acquiring a 4th, my pick would stay with Higgins all the way. He's another player I've seen in person, and if the Bears got him, he'd be a player many others would go to games to watch.
Round 6
194- Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
195- Caden Prieskorn, TE, Ole Miss
204- Connor Colby, OG, Iowa
Back to back Picks get the Bears two SEC players, including one with a very infamous son(just ask Instagram). Both of these picks are based on pure talent, but that's what these later rounds are about. Sampson will likely have a very small roll in 2025, but hopefully a Roschon Johnson-Dylan Sampson duo will be a Lions-esque one in a few years. The same goes for Prieskorn, who has shown signs of being a great TE, which the Bears could use behind Cole Kmet. The last pick in this round gives the Monsters of the Midway another Iowa-grown talent in Connor Colby. Colby has been known for his strength since his time at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, where his bench press record has stood since he left as of the start of this school year. The Bears will likely use him as a depth piece thar could end up drawing some eyes from other teams as he develops, or he could be a starter here in Chicago if his path goes right.
Round 7
226- Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
243- Tyler Baron, DE, Miami
The Bears cap off this year's draft class just how they started it, picking a Defensive End. 17 Picks before that however, they get yet another Hawkeye-State prospect, this time from Ames. Jaylin Noel has shown flashes of being a Day 2 pick, and other times he is seen as a possible UDFA. The Bears take a gamble and hope he lives up to those flashes, but the risk is worth it for such a low pick. Lastly, the Bears select Baron out of a title-contending Miami roster. Baron is a very low-risk-low-reward typer of pick, but if he can make the roster, it's just another piece the Bears will have to strengthen thar already dominant defense.
Any thought? Recommendedations? Ideas? Let me know what you have to share in the comments.
Sincerely, Blocker_Bears9
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