WILD NFL 2025 Mock Draft on NFL Draft's Eve

Based on how the board shook out (no Armand Membou, Colson Loveland, Tyler Warren, Kelvin Banks Jr., etc.), Mykel Williams felt like the best value at the 14th pick. I thought about players like Derrick Harmon and Josh Simmons, but the Bears add a dynamic pass rusher to compliment Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo despite not fitting the prototypical Dennis Allen mold. 

Round 2, Pick 39: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Aireonate Ersery might be one of the better value offensive linemen in the draft. Since players like Donovan Jackson, Grey Zabel, Will Campbell, and Armond Membou will go in the first round, Ersery as an early second round pick seems fair. He's big, athletic, and can be a really nice player at the next level. A lot of his perceived flaws can be coached to improve, and its no secret the Bears need a tackle. At 6'6", he's going to be just fine at tackle. 

Round 2, Pick 41: RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

In case you were curious, PFF hated my first three picks. That said, these are all REALISTIC choices for the Bears. I digress. The Bears need a running back to supplement D'Andre Swift in the backfield. If the Bears are going to miss on Ashton Jeanty (as they did in this mock draft), then scooping an athletic freak like Quinshon Judkins. Although I personally value Treveyon Henderson higher than Judkins, the Jacksonville Jaguars swiped him before he could fall into our lap. Therefore, we turned to his national championship teammate to bolster the Bears' backfield. 

Round 3, Pick 72: S Andrew Mukuba, Texas

HUGE credit here to Luke O'Grady, important member of On Tap Sports Net's Building the Board team for this pick. In their guest GM episode with Robert Schmitz, Luke banged the table for the Bears (and GM Schmitz) to take Andrew Mukuba in the third round with his pick. With the uncertainty of Jaquan Brisker's health and the age of Kevin Byard, getting a highly-regarded safety into the mix makes a lot of sense. He's a true deep centerfielder at safety, which the Bears can certainly use. 

Round 3, Pick 80: DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

With the pick we acquired from the Colts, its time to address the interior defensive line. Omarr Norman-Lott likely won't be available, in my opinion, at this point in the draft but if he is, this is incredible value. Get the big guy from Tennessee to compliment the current crop of big boys on the inside. He has his limits, but this is a good way to build up the defensive interior. 

Round 4, Pick 117: TE Gunnar Helm, Texas

Taking two Texas boys feels wrong, but getting a second tight end for Ben Johnson's offense feels right. Gunnar Helm is solid value in the fourth round, and addressing so many other positions along the way is a massive win. Another pick acquired in that trade with the Colts, the Bears can add Helm to Cole Kmet and get that 12 personnel going. 

Round 7, Pick 233: LB Jay Higgins, Iowa

The Bears could use some depth at linebacker. Iowa linebackers usually work out in some capacity. Even if he's simply depth and a special teamer, Jay Higgins is a fine pick in the seventh round. 

Round 7, Pick 240: DT Desmond Watson, Florida

Adding more beef inside is always fine. Go get a big boy like Desmond Watson. It'll be fun. 

RECAP

What's On Tap Next?

The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. CT with the first round. Rounds two and three will take place on Friday, and the remaining four rounds will take place on Saturday. As of this writing, the Bears have seven picks in the draft. 

What do you think about this mock draft? Remember, permission to yell ends when the draft begins on Thursday.