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Chicago Bears’ NFL Draft class praised as one of the NFL’s best
NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) celebrates a touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

The first NFL Draft class in the Chicago Bears‘ Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson partnership is garnering accolades as one of the best across the league.

Whether it is adding a pair of potentially elite pass catchers for Caleb Williams in the first two rounds, in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden, or adding possible key contributors at all three levels of the defense, Poles and Johnson bolstered the talent across the roster, perhaps significantly.

Chicago Bears NFL Draft class heralded as one of the league’s best


NCAA Football: Missouri at South Carolina Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) celebrates a touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema put together a list of his favorite hauls from the 2025 NFL Draft, including the Bears, which he gives an “A-” grade.

“Chicago’s draft grade heavily depends on what you think of Luther Burden III and Shemar Turner,” Sikkema writes for PFF . “To the delight of Bears fans, I like both. Picking Loveland over Tyler Warren is fine, as both were top 20 prospects to me. Burden was my WR2, and Ben Johnson can push him to be the best version of himself. He will get a lot of natural work in the slot.

“Trapilo is not as much of a lean into the zone blocking scheme I thought the Beras would run more of, but he’s great value for them as a reserve tackle. Hyppolite, Frazier and Newman are good bets on athletes, though all were drafted a bit early. I was surprised that Chicago didn’t attack running back before the seventh round, but I do like Monangai — if nothing else, as a strong pass-protecting, third-down back.”


NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears Aug 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles on the field before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The top of the Bears’ draft, adding Loveland and Burden, has the potential to facilitate quarterback Caleb Williams making a major leap in 2025 and could each be a major upgrade in the passing game, but, Poles and the Bears deserve credit for adding quality depth across the roster.

Even after passing on one of the top running backs in the draft, Poles, Johnson, and the Bears can still add a starting-caliber weapon at the position before training camp gets underway, filling one of the remaining needs on a roster that seemingly got better during the draft.


NCAA Football: Michigan at Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) tries to bring down Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland (Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images)

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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