The Chicago Bears didn’t have the 2025 draft that many expected. For weeks, the speculation was that the team would focus on three key positions in the early rounds: running back, edge rusher, and left tackle. It didn’t go that way. Their first two picks were a tight end and a wide receiver, then a right tackle, and finally a defensive tackle. GM Ryan Poles was asked to explain what happened after the draft. His rationale was simple. The Bears were focused on adding the best possible players to the roster, even if that meant not addressing positions of greater need.
While some were disappointed with the outcome, one prominent draft expert was not. Dane Brugler of The Athletic is widely respected as one of the best evaluators out there. Last year, right after the 2024 draft, he released an early mock draft for 2025. Three notable names popped up in the 1st round.
17. Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
19. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
21. Miami Dolphins: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
This would suggest Brugler believes the Bears just nabbed a trio of 1st round talents.
There are various reasons players don’t go in the first round. Injuries are one, and a dip in production is another. Some don’t do well in the interview process. It doesn’t erase the fact those players are gifted. Based on Brugler’s ranking of every draft class this year, his opinion on Loveland, Burden, and Turner hasn’t changed much.
7. Chicago Bears
Favorite pick: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
I can’t wait to see how Ben Johnson weaponizes Luther Burden III’s run-after-catch skills. And Shemar Turner was a very underrated addition who will bring an immediate spark to Chicago’s defensive line. But the answer has to be Loveland, who has the talent and upside to develop into a top-five NFL tight end. With his speed and pass-catching skills, Loveland should quickly become a go-to weapon for Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears focused on ability over position.
It was so refreshing to see this approach after watching the team stick closer to needs in years past. Drafting a running back like Omarion Hampton (who went 21st) or Mykel Williams (who went 11th) wouldn’t have been surprising. Fans would’ve found ways to justify it. However, it wouldn’t have been what the board told the Chicago Bears to do. Loveland was the best available, as was Burden in the 2nd round. They may not address the most immediate roster needs, but their caliber of talent is such that they made the team better regardless. It goes back to a classic approach. Find great players. Worry about finding where they fit later. That is basically what Poles and head coach Ben Johnson did in this draft.
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It’s really important to me that Dane Brugler likes Bears draft. Three 1st rounders. Wow, shouldn’t there be rules against that? And sorry, the only way DJ is gone is if he starts quitting on the new staff. Everyone gets a pass on last years frustrations that were clearly the front offices fault because they doubled down on that coaching room. They decided to give Eberfluss a 1st overall pick and that he would find the OC for him. That was surprisingly a bad idea. Huh, who would have thought?
@Dr. Melhus — And, sometimes a competent NFL GM has to trade up to get the player that will put his team over the hump. Poles told us he was going to “take the NFC North…” And now, we’re okay with him “waiting for the NFC Nort — until it breaks just right.” I’m not a fan — but, you already know that. I hope the players Poles selected all turn out to be “perfect fits” for what HC Ben and his competent crew have in mind. But the level at which Poles practices due diligence still worries me —… Read more »
@Bubba: I don’t think they were planning on getting Burden at all – they figured he would be gone by 39. That said, if one of the Ohio State RBs was on the board at 39, he’s likely the pick, and if Burden falls to 41, they would think about it. Sometimes a GM has to let the draft come to him.
I think they were planning on getting Henderson with the #39 pick, and Burden with #41.
I rate Henderson as the #2 RB in the draft.
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