Check out topic number two of our Bears draft roundtable.
The Chicago Bears’ 2025 NFL Draft class received relatively high marks from analysts, and our fans mostly agreed. In yesterday’s roundtable topic, we shared who our favorite pick was, so today is the flip side.
Topic number two: Who was your least favorite Bears draft pick?
After reading our answers, give us yours in the comment section.
Jacob Infante: Ruben Hyppolite II would be my answer. I’m not surprised he got drafted; after all, he’s a densely built off-ball linebacker who runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. That said, he was nowhere near my radar as a fourth-round prospect. He’s a raw linebacker who struggles with deconstructing blocks and has average instincts. He would’ve been a much better target later on Day 3.
Jeff Berckes: The answer is Ruben Hyppolite II. The Bears surprised many by taking the Maryland linebacker in the 4th round. This might be a great example of a well-kept secret that the Bears snagged before another team, but on the surface, it looked like quite a reach. For a team that did a nice job of grabbing value at other selections, this one was a bit of a head-scratcher. But another cool name guy that I’m hoping works out.
Sam Householder: Shemar Turner seems to be the most polarizing as far as impact and ceiling. I’ve seen a lot of reaction that draft analysts think he’ll be really good immediately, while others questioned if he’s a long-term starter, and some of his on-field antics. I’m taking a wait-and-see approach with him.
Mongo Peanut: I understand the appeal of Ruben Hyppolite – speed. I just feel like an off-ball linebacker in the middle rounds felt a little rich. It’s possible that the Bears staff have a unique vision for him (some floating the idea of him being a safety conversion candidate), but consider me skeptical.
Erik Duerrwaechter: I don’t have a strong dislike for any of the picks made. I’m cool with Ruben Hyppolyte II and how he’s an instant starter at SAM LB as well as that ultra athletic hybrid LB/SAF who Dennis Allen wants to move around in the secondary. Rather, my least favorite decision was waiting on an RB until the 7th round. I get it, their preferred targets were most likely the players drafted within minutes of the Bears being on the clock themselves on numerous occasions. Yet to wait so long in what many evaluated as a historic class at RB didn’t sit well with me. I believe Kyle Monangai is a solid player, but unless the Bears are landing a guy like Nick Chubb soon, it didn’t make much sense. Not for me, at least.
Bryan Orenchuk: My least favorite draft pick was Hyppolite. I would have much rather Jaydon Blue there, and think he would have been a phenomenal pairing with Kyle Monangai for years to come in our backfield.
Josh Sunderbruch: Luther Burden III. I’m sure he has talent. I’m sure he’ll be fine. But between Henderson going right before and the lack of any running back help in the heart of the draft, it feels like a lesser version of Donald/Fuller. Was Kyle Fuller a good player for Chicago? Yes. But Chicago settled for good instead of great by one pick. It’s going to be tough not to make the what-if comparisons. I also can’t help but think that if he was such a great receiver, someone would have been willing to trade up and give Chicago something for him, and they could have used the extra assets…maybe for a running back before the 7th. If I’m honest, though, it’s not the player, it’s the circumstances of the pick that I’m reacting to. It still stings.
Dr. Mason West: I don’t know that I truly disliked any pick, but if I had to pick one, it would be Luke Newman. I had a few other players at edge, RB, and guard that I preferred.
TJ Starman: I’ll be happy to be proven wrong, but the general consensus seems to be that taking Ruben Hyppolite II in the 4th round was a big reach. I like what he should be able to do on special teams, and I like that the Bears emphasized LB in the mid-rounds, but they passed on some running back talent and even some more well-known LBs to make this choice, which makes it dicey to me.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: I don’t want to pile on their choice of Hyppolite, but he’s the one selection that left everyone confused. Even though he had 10 predraft visits around the league, most pundits felt his value was further down the board. He was a four-star recruit out of high school, a Maryland team captain, and he called their defense in the huddle, so perhaps he’ll find a role in Chicago.