CHICAGO (WGN) — The NFL Draft is just hours away. This year’s edition is primed to be one of the most unpredictable drafts yet so, who do NFL experts and insiders expect the Chicago Bears to take with their pick at No. 10?
Here’s a list of predictions from those who know the Bears and the NFL best, as we approach draft night.
The Locals
Chicago Tribune – Brad Biggs
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
In his final mock draft, Biggs wrote, “If Cam Ward is the only quarterback selected in the first nine picks and the Bears can’t get one of the elite prospects in this draft, they’re expected to seek a trade down. If no suitable move is available, they can use the pick on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, take the first true cornerback off the board, roll the dice on an imperfect left tackle prospect or add to the defensive line. Williams is a high-ceiling prospect who can bring juice to the pass rush.”
ESPN – Courtney Cronin
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Cronin said, “If the board falls this way on Thursday, I can see the Bears taking the best skill player available over reaching for the remaining first-round left tackle or a pass rusher, knowing that they have two early second-round picks. Ben Johnson’s Detroit offense used 12 personnel at the third-highest rate in the NFL last season, and would thrive off adding a hybrid weapon like Tyler Warren, who could be with the Bears, what Sam LaPorta was for the Lions. When paired with fellow tight end Cole Kmet’s versatility to line up anywhere would benefit Caleb Williams development as a passer in year two, which has been the catalyst behind every move the Bears have made on offense this offseason.
Chicago Sun-Times – Pat Finley
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Finley wrote, “The multi-faceted Warren, who ran for 218 yards and threw six times last year, is perfect for mad scientist Ben Johnson.”
The Athletic – Kevin Fishbain
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
This might be a frustrating scenario for Bears fans, with Campbell, Graham, Jeanty, Membou and Warren off the board, and no one wanted to trade up for Sanders. Here’s some synergy with 2018 — when the Bears hired a first-time, offensive-minded head coach, but the first pick of the Matt Nagy era was Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, who would massively help veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense.
The Athletic – Jon Greenberg
Bears trade down twice—from 10 to 14 with Indy and 14 to 18 with Seattle—and take Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Greenberg wrote, “In trading down twice with both the Colts and Seahawks, I wound up drafting at No. 18 and acquiring picks 80 and 82, along with a third-rounder and a fourth-rounder in 2026. I’m sure I could have added some low-level picks this year, too, but this gives me two clusters of picks at 39 and 41 and 80 and 82. While there’s still a big gap between the third and fifth rounds, I like the quality I’m getting up top.”
The Nationals
NFL Network – Daniel Jeremiah
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Jeremiah wrote, “With the top offensive linemen and Jeanty off the board, Warren becomes a very attractive piece for Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears will be living in 12 personnel with Warren, Cole Kmet, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the field. That’s a group to be excited about.”
ESPN – Mel Kiper
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
Kiper wrote, “Offseason moves to add interior offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman should buy Caleb Williams more time to throw. Landing Warren would give the second-year quarterback another reliable target. New Bears coach Ben Johnson could line up Warren anywhere, get him the ball and let him roll to first downs after the catch. The versatile tight end had 1,233 receiving yards last season, and 700 of them came once the ball was in his hands.”
The Ringer – Todd McShay
Michigan DT Mason Graham
McShay wrote, “For a minute, it looked like Jeanty would fall into the Bears’ lap. But unless they trade up to get him, they’ll need to go in a different direction. I love the concept of pairing a young pass-catching weapon with tight end Cole Kmet, especially since Chicago would have its choice between Warren and Colston Loveland in this scenario. But I’m hearing it would come down to Graham or Shemar Stewart here. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would love Graham’s active, disruptive style in his scheme. Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, LSU tight end Mason Taylor, Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo, and Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. would be in play at picks 39 and 41.”
The Athletic – Dianna Russini
What I’m Hearing, NFL Draft Edition: The Bears have been linked to Jeanty for weeks, and they are hoping they can snag him at 10.
ESPN – Peter Schrager
Bears trade back from 10 to 14 with IND, get pick 80 along with 14, select Texas OT Kevin Banks Jr.
Schrager wrote, “Banks could end up going before Membou as the top tackle in this class. He has the better tape and is more consistent. If the Bears trade back and still get him, that’s a major win.”
ESPN – Field Yates
LSU OT Will Campbell
In this edition of Yate’s NFL mock draft, Ashton Jeanty, Mason Graham, Armond Membou and Shemar Stewart are all gone by the time the Bears are on the clock. Other options at this point were Tyler Warren or trading back, but seeing as building from the trenches out is king in the NFL, Yates went with who many consider to be the top o-line prospect in this year’s draft, regardless of thoughts on his arm length.
Prediction Counter
Kelvin Banks Jr. – 2 (Greenberg, Shrager)
Will Campbell – 1 (Yates)
Mason Graham – 1 (McShay)
Ashton Jeanty – 1 (Russini)
Tyler Warren – 4 (Cronin, Finley, Jeremiah, Kiper)
Mykel Williams – 2 (Biggs, Fishbain)