Chicago Bears Mock Draft 1.0
As free agency begins to slow down, the draft begins to ramp up. The Chicago Bears have already added several key players to their roster, but they have plenty of draft capital to continue building.
With a top-ten pick, two second-round picks, and a third-rounder, the Bears will have a very busy draft.
Their additions have given them the flexibility to draft the best players available on draft night.
I wanted to go through a mock draft to see how everything might shake up.
First Round
The Bears currently hold the 10th pick in the draft, and they can go in many different directions with it. I could see them staying at 10 to select a DE, DT, RB, TE, OT, or even a DB. I could also envision a scenario where the Bears trade down to acquire additional draft capital and still land a player they love. They could even trade up if they felt they had to have a certain player.
In my mock draft on Pro Football Network, the top nine picks went like this:
- Titans – Cam Ward (QB)
- Browns – Abdul Carter (Edge)
- Giants – Mason Graham (DT)
- Patriots – Travis Hunter (WR/CB)
- Jaguars – Will Campbell (OL)
- Raiders – Ashton Jeanty (Rb)
- Jets – Shedeur Sanders (Qb)
- Panthers – Shemar Stewart (Edge)
- Saints – Will Johnson (CB)
Targeted Prospects
This scenario was a letdown for the Bears because running back Ashton Jeanty would be my ideal pick at #10. I believe the Bears have built a strong offensive line and fixed their biggest needs to comfortably draft a star running back in the top ten. But the Raiders snagged him at #6.
Then, Mason Graham, who I believe is one of the few blue-chip prospects in this class, was drafted third overall. Graham would’ve been an excellent addition to the Bears’ defensive line and solidified their defensive tackle room.
Will Campbell, another player that has been tied to the Bears, was off the board at pick five. I think Campbell would be in consideration at 10 if he was available, but he’s no longer my top option. With the recent additions to the offensive line and concerns about Will Campbell’s arm length, I think the Bears would pass on him.
Considered Players
Tyler Warren is another name Bears fans have floated around. The Penn State tight end is easily one of the best players in this class, but I don’t expect Ryan Poles to draft a tight end this high, given Cole Kmet’s solid career. I expect them to draft the best player available but at a major position of need.
There were also a few edge rushers I considered here. James Pearce Jr. and Mike Green are both intriguing names. They are both extremely talented, speedy pass-rushers who have some character concerns. Ryan Poles has been known to stay away from players with said concerns, notably passing on Jalen Carter in the 2023 NFL Draft.
I also considered Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolan. Nolan is a disruptive DT and was an elite run-stopper in college. He would provide juice to the Bears’ pass rush and help solidify their defensive line. I felt that #10 was too rich for Nolan, and I would prefer trading down to select him.
10th Pick // Armand Membou – Missouri OT
In my mock draft, I had the Bears selecting Armand Membou at #10. The young tackle played at Missouri for three seasons, playing at least 10 games each year. At Missouri, Membou played right tackle. Obviously, the Bears already have a stud right tackle in Darnell Wright, but I think Membou is capable of sliding to the left side.
He is a freak athlete and made Bruce Feldman’s 2023 Freak’s List. Membou has quick feet and has shown advanced pass sets and hand usage. The combine further proved his athleticism. At 6’4”, 332 lbs, Membou ran a 4.91 40-yard dash, which is absurd. He also had a 34-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 9 feet and 7 inches. His athleticism is off the charts, and his play at Missouri replicates that. In 411 pass-blocking snaps last season, Membou didn’t allow a single sack or quarterback pressure. His run blocking was also excellent as he finished with an 87.5 PFF run blocking grade.
The Bears would be drafting him to be their franchise left tackle. Braxton Jones is solid, but he only has one year left on his rookie contract, and his injury history is concerning. If Braxton were to somehow dominate next season at LT, then Membou could slide into guard and replace Joe Thuney down the line.
Second Round
While this draft class isn’t overwhelmed by star players at the top, the depth is very strong. The second round in this year’s draft is easily my favorite, and I loved who I was able to land for the Bears.
39th Pick // Omarion Hampton – UNC RB
PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
Don’t get too excited, Bears fans, because I highly doubt this will happen, but I had the Bears drafting North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton at pick 39. Hampton is widely considered to be the second-best running back in this class. While he was originally being mocked in the second round, Hampton has become a near-consensus first-round pick. I’ve even seen mock drafts where the Bears selected him at #10, which shows how good of a prospect he is.
Even though it likely won’t happen at pick 39, I just had to take him. Hampton is immensely talented, and his college production backs it up. In his freshman season at UNC, he wasn’t the featured back and only received 88 carries. But in his sophomore season, Hampton put up ridiculous numbers, rushing for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns along with 222 receiving yards. Then, as a junior, he continued that success, rushing for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. The only top prospect who compares statistically is Ashton Jeanty, which puts Hampton in some great company.
The Bears’ starting running back is currently D’Andre Swift. Swift isn’t bad, but he’s far from elite. He lacks the vision and strength to be a top running back in the NFL. Hampton would come in and would be the day-one starter.
41st Pick // Princely Umanmielen – Ole Miss Edge
With the 41st pick, I had the Bears beefing up the trenches by selecting Ole Miss edge rusher Princely Umanmielen. He is a quick and athletic pass rusher who specializes in getting to the quarterback. Before transferring to Ole Miss after his junior season, Umanmielen played three seasons at Florida. There he played with Bears defensive tackle Gerovon Dexter, so the two would be pairing up once again.
His production in college was impressive. In his last two seasons, he combined for 17.5 sacks and 26 TFLs. The production is nice to have, but Umanmielen’s size and athleticism are his best qualities. At 6’4” and 264 lbs, he moves differently than most linemen. I could easily see him becoming a 10-sack guy in the NFL.
Umanmielen would instantly upgrade the Bears’ defensive line, and the best part is that he wouldn’t even have to start. Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo would be the starting defensive ends. Umanmielen would sub in to provide elite pass-rushing ability and get pressure on the quarterback. I would love this pick if the Bears were able to make it happen.
Round 3
The Bears have one third-round selection at pick 75. There were some great options here, and I think the Bears could go a few different directions.
With how the draft has gone so far, I looked at safeties, tight ends, defensive tackles, wide receivers, and interior offensive linemen.
75th Pick // Mason Taylor – LSU Tight End
I decided to go with Mason Taylor, the tight end from LSU. The Bears’ biggest need is far from tight end, but they need someone other than Cole Kmet to contribute on offense. I felt that Taylor was the best player available for the Bears’ specific needs and didn’t want to reach on a different position.
Taylor is a 6’5”, 251 lb tight end who has a lot of college experience. At LSU, Taylor played in 38 games and caught 129 passes for 1,308 yards. He displayed a lot of receiving ability and should be able to help Ben Johnson’s offense quite a bit.
He is also a very good athlete who can be effective in the blocking game. I think Taylor would be a great addition behind Cole Kmet and provide another weapon for the Bears.
Round 5
In the fifth round, teams usually still draft at positions of need, but they look for players with traits and potential. I wanted to follow that for the Bears with this pick.
148th Pick // Jamaree Caldwell – Oregon DT
After adding Grady Jarrett in free agency, the Bears have a strong three-man rotation at defensive tackle. They could use one more guy to solidify that room, so I went with Jamaree Caldwell, a defensive tackle from Oregon. He is a fire hydrant defensive tackle standing at just 6’2” and 332 lbs. Caldwell is primarily a nose tackle specializing in stopping the run, but he has exceptional quickness and a sneaky first step.
He would rotate with Jarrett, Dexter, and Billings to make for a stout defensive tackle room.
Round 7
In round seven, teams just try to take a chance on players they like, and that’s what I tried to do for the Bears.
233rd Pick // Maxen Hook – Toldeo S
One of the Bears’ biggest needs is safety. They have Kevin Byard at FS, who’s in his 30s now, and Jaquon Brisker at SS, who has suffered multiple concussions. Based on how the board fell, I couldn’t take one earlier. I chose safety Maxen Hook from Toledo in the seventh round.
Hook is a very disciplined and smart player who played five seasons at Toledo. He is limited athletically, and his coverage ability is far from elite, but he is a great tackler and would provide some much-needed depth to the Bears’ safety group.
240th Pick // Antwane Wells Jr. – Ole Miss WR
The Bears have recently added to their receiver room by signing Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay. Both are very fast players who primarily play in the slot. I think the Bears could use one more receiver who brings some strength and physicality.
Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. is a wide receiver from Ole Miss. He is a strong player with great after-the-catch ability. At 6’1′,’ Wells would provide a bigger body for the Bears and bring some juice to their room.
In this mock draft, I have the Bears drafting their future left tackle, starting running back, rotational edge rusher, another weapon at tight end, and additional depth pieces.
I believe there are many ways the Bears can go in this year’s draft, and this is a scenario I would absolutely love.
PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
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