Looking at the realm of possibilities for the Chicago Bears early on in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ryan Poles could go one of several directions.
If we’re specifically talking at pick no. 10, a lot of fans have been all-in on players like Ashton Jeanty and Will Campbell, assuming they last that long. If either of those players are selected at 10, it’s pretty easy to see some of the ripple effects.
Speaking of Campbell, in particular, his selection would instantly put someone like Braxton Jones in jeopardy. The Bears using a top-10 pick on an offensive tackle while already boasting Darnell Wright firmly locked into the right tackle position would be a major cause for concern from Jones’ point of view.
Even if Chicago doesn’t go with Campbell at 10, the general thought is that they will end up with an offensive lineman — particularly a tackle — within the first four picks made, which all come between Day 1 and Day 2.
Jones isn’t going to feel safe unless the Bears head into Day 3 having not taken an offensive tackle, and even then, there is always potential for change. Jones is going into a contract year, too, which is already reason enough for him to be on alert. Other than Jones, though, the Bears have a couple of other players who might see themselves replaced early on in the draft.
D’Andre Swift could lose his job altogether, or worse, following the NFL Draft
D’Andre Swift is another player who should be sweating. The Bears’ running back room is far from finished. Not only is Swift someone who could lose his job to a rookie, but he’s not even guaranteed to be on the roster come Week 1.
We’ve talked about this at length, already, but Chicago can still save money by cutting Swift. Financially, the Bears are anything but committed to him.
If the Bears wind up with a running back on Day 1 or Day 2, that would firmly put Swift in a difficult spot.
A lot of fans love running backs like TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins or Kaleb Johnson. The familiarity is there, too, with the three of them all coming from the Big Ten. The Bears could end up with one of five or six running backs and, if they do, Swift will be anything but confident going forward.
Finally, the Bears signed Olamide Zaccheaus as their presumed third wide receiver this offseason. He brings savviness of a veteran and, if the Bears end up using him at that WR3 spot, he’s a good fit. But, the talent for Day 2 wide receivers is sky-high.
There is potential for Chicago to end up with someone like Jalen Royals, Elic Ayomanor, Savion Williams, or Tory Horton among others. If Poles uses one of his four picks in the top 72 on a wide receiver, Zaccheaus should immediately feel uneasy.