The Chicago Bears have had a strong offseason so far, improving key areas and adding both talent and better coaching on both sides of the ball, especially in the trenches. However, there are still some gaps to fill as the first and second waves of free agency have passed. Here are the five biggest needs the Bears should address as they prepare for the NFL Draft:
1. Edge Rusher
The addition of Dayo Odeyingbo to pair with Montez Sweat was a solid move, but the Bears still have a pressing need for more depth and potential star power at edge rusher. Ryan Poles has said you can never have too many pass rushers, so it’ll be interesting to see if he targets the best player available at pick 10 or goes for the top edge rusher left on the board.
Bears revamped defensive line:
DE Montez Sweat
DT Grady Jarrett
DT Gervon Dexter
DT Andrew Billings
DE Dayo Odeyingbo— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 10, 2025
2. Running back
While I’m higher on D’Andre Swift than most and believe he can be very productive next season, the Bears still need a complementary back. Jeanty would be ideal if available at 10, but even if he’s gone, this draft class is deep enough for the Bears to find a solid addition later on.
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Is this a top 5 offense? pic.twitter.com/pyLEzm3bQO
— BFR Podcast (@bfr_pod) March 18, 2025
3. Offensive Line Depth
The Bears have done a nice job rebuilding the interior offensive line, and Braxton Jones looks set to start at left tackle. Still, injuries are inevitable over a long season, and Poles could look to upgrade at tackle if the right opportunity arises. Adding more depth across the line would help solidify protection for Caleb Williams.
Bears revamped the trenches and still have 4 picks in the top 75.
1-10
2-39 (Carolina)
2-41
3-72Ashton Jeanty remains a realistic option along with trading back etc.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 10, 2025
4. Tight End
This might be controversial, but if Tyler Warren is available at pick 10, the Bears should seriously consider taking him. If Ashton Jeanty is still there, he’d likely be the top choice — though the Raiders may grab him before the Bears get the chance. Cole Kmet is solid, but the coaching staff has underutilized him at times. Pairing Kmet with a high-upside talent like Warren could be a game-changer for Caleb Williams in Ben Johnson’s offense.
5. Safety
Jaquan Brisker is a talented player, but his injury history is concerning. The Bears may use a higher draft pick than expected on a safety to provide insurance in case Brisker misses time. A reliable backup plan would give the defense more stability and allow the secondary to maintain consistency even if Brisker is sidelined.
