The Chicago Bears will enter the 2025 NFL draft with a clear list of needs. GM Ryan Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson must determine the best direction to go. Having the 10th overall pick could be a major benefit, giving them a big opportunity to land a difference-maker to their fortunes. What nobody knows for sure is who they may have in mind. It is a safe assumption that the Bears already know who may or may not be available when they go on the clock in April. The key is whether any of those names are what they’re looking for.
Maybe it’s a pass rusher like Mykel Williams or an interior disruptor like Walter Nolen. Perhaps a left tackle like Kelvin Banks draws their interest. They could even go for Ashton Jeanty, the record-breaking running back who carried Boise State to the playoffs. However, one source revealed to SM that Poles and others in the building are big fans of another under-the-radar name. That is Alabama’s Tyler Booker, whom many believe is the best overall guard in the entire draft.
Ryan Poles’ interest in Booker is both a surprise and not a surprise.
One reason some draft experts are lower on him is his average athletic ceiling. Booker isn’t known for being the most mobile guy on the field. Poles has often shown in previous drafts that he likes blockers who can move. However, Booker is known for being a powerhouse in the run game, technically sound in all facets of his blocking, and an unquestioned locker room leader at Alabama. He can drive defenders off the ball with regularity and has outstanding fundamentals in pass protection.
The belief is Booker might be one of the safest picks in the draft. He will go somewhere and start for 8-10 years. Ryan Poles isn’t naive. He knows the spotlight is on him. The Bears offensive line gave up 67 sacks this year, which is the worst in franchise history. Much of that is due to his poor job building that area of the roster. He badly needs to fortify it. Booker might not be flashy, but he presents as close to a sure thing as the Bears are likely to find on the offensive line in this draft.
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Self identifying gena? More sally like mumbo jumbo. What Mangod said was true. Just because you don’t like it is tough cookies. Poles is the GM and will be for the next 5 years. So you and sally can suck it. Feel free to go lick Omar Khans balls.
@ManGod —
Really?
Well, thanks for self-identifying.
@TGena, I seriously doubt B Johnson signed with Bears worrying about who would be the next GM, if anything he wanted two questions answered 1) R poles or K Warren making the football decisions, and we all know how that played out, R Poles will make the football decisions with B Johnson. 2) Is R Poles position secure enough for B Johnson to build the team he wants I would venture to say G McCaskey answered that by saying Yes it is. My guess is R Poles is already signed through the 2025 season and will be extended once the… Read more »
Does anyone here believe HC Ben Johnson would have signed with the Chicago Bears if he (Johnson) were told, “Ryan Poles makes ALL the personnel decisions — and no one else has any say”?
Does anyone believe Ryan Poles’ contract has been extended?
Yeah — I thought not.
Wow more great insights Dr.M. Gena do you just cut and paste the same old tired blather over and over for the last 2 years. What happened to “Johnson won’t come” “Poles will blow it”. If Johnson turns the team around next season, you will give Poles zero credit for seeing the talent in Johnson. So time will tell now won’t it.