As the Chicago Bears prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, general manager Ryan Poles and assistant GM Ian Cunningham expressed confidence in their board and the pool of players they expect to be available to them when they first go on the clock at No. 10 overall.
The Bears own seven selections in this year’s draft, with four coming in the top 75 selections.
It is unclear which direction they may go, which leads us to this, a round-up of all the latest draft news, rumors, and once they are official, picks.
Bears 2025 NFL Draft News, Rumors, Predictions & Analysis
Bears Draft Picks:
- Round 1 Pick 10 – Colston Loveland – TE – Michigan – 56 Rec, 582 Yds, 5 TDs in 2024
A true receiving threat at tight end who has room to grow as a blocker, Loveland was often utilized in space in the Wolverines’ offense. The Bears had been linked to a potential trade up ahead of the draft’s start, but they saw presumed target Ashton Jeanty come off the board to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 5 overall
Loveland is the first tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft and has increasingly become regarded as the best TE prospect in the class.
Loveland is the first first-round tight end the Bears have drafted since Greg Olsen in 2007.
“Really like the options in 12 personnel for Chicago with Loveland & [Cole] Kmet,” The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler posted on X in reaction to the Bears’ pick. “Both can be man movers in the ground game while threatening the seams. Immense potential for Loveland when featured in a passing game. Similar to [Sam] LaPorta out of Iowa.”
- Round 2 Pick 39 (via CAR) – Luther Burden III – WR – Missouri: 61 Rec, 676 Yds, 7 TDs
With the No. 39 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III. Measuring in at 6-foot and 200 pounds, Burden recorded 61 receptions, 676 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 2024. He posted an 86-1,212-9 line in 2023.
Some projections forecast that Burden would come off the board in the first round of the draft. Further still, some even projected him as the best among his position group.
Instead, he fell into the Bears’ laps.
“The @ChicagoBears got a top 15 pick in the 2nd round with Luther Burden III,” former NFL QB Robert Griffin III posted on X on April 25. “This guy has been the best athlete on the field every time he steps on it. Fast, and explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands who can play inside, outside and out the backfield. He’s their Amon Ra [St. Brown].”
Round 2 Pick 41– traded to BUF- Round 2 Pick 56 (via MIN bwo BUF) – Ozzy Trapilo – OL – Boston College – 2 Sks allowed, 15 Press
Trapilo joins an offensive tackle group that already includes starters Braxton Jones, who is in the final year of his contract, on the left side, and 2024 first-round pick (No. 10 overall, to be exact) Darnell Wright on the right. 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie is also behind them.
Trapilo also boasts experience as a high school tight end and lined up there during his time in college at BC. That could also serve a noteworthy purpose for new head coach Ben Johnson.
Moreover, the Bears could even see Trapilo step into a role this season.
“Ozzy Trapilo is an OT prospect with an elite power profile that just about makes up for his natural leverage issues (6’8, 316lbs!),” NFL Draft Files posted on X on April 22. “Intriguing prospect from Boston College with strength, length, and upside.”
- Round 2 Pick 62 (via BUF) – Shemar Turner – DL – Texas A&M: 36 Tot. Tkls, 2.0 Sks
Turner, a converted defensive end, is coming off a down season, recording 36 total tackles and 2.0 sacks in 2024, his first on the interior. He had a 6.0-sack season (with 11 tackles for loss) in 2023, though. Perhaps most importantly, Turner arrives with a wealth of experience playing different techniques.
That should serve him well under new head coach Ben Johnson and, especially, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
“Bears snag Shemar Turner, who was never going to make it to No. 97 for the Vikings,” The Athletic’s Alec Lewis posted on X in reaction to the miss for Minnesota. “Now have to see him twice a year.”
Round 3 Pick 72– traded to BUFRound 4 Pick 109– traded to BUF- Round 4 Pick 132 (via BUF) – Ruben Hyppolite II – LB – Maryland – 66 Tot. Tkls, 7 TFL, 1 INT
Checking in at 5-foot-11 and 239 pounds, Hyppolite is undersized for the position. However, in addition to having several similarly built players succeeding at the NFL level as reference, Hyppolite also possesses good speed, allowing him to cover plenty of ground.
He recorded a 4.39 40-yard dash time at his pro day, a mark that would have led the linebacker position at the 2025 NFL Combine.
“Hyppolite led Maryland with 66 tackles last season. He ran well at his pro day, and that speed shows up on tape,” ESPN’s Steve Muench wrote on April 26. “He can shoot gaps and meet running backs in the backfield when he plays downhill between the tackles. Hyppolite chases with good effort and makes plays in pursuit. He also closes well, breaking on passes in coverage.”
Round 5 Pick 148– traded to LAR- Round 5 Pick 169 (via BUF) – Zah Frazier – CB – UTSA – 6 INTs, 9 PBUs, 1 FF
One of the top CBs at the JUCO level after stops at Coffeyville and Southern Illinois, Frazier arrived at UTSA in 2022 after decommitting from Kentucky. Frazier spent three seasons in San Antonio. He broke out with a career-high and American Conference-leading 6 interceptions in 2024. Frazier also had 9 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble.
Will turn 25 in October.
“Long-limbed corner with low career rep count but impressive production in lone starting season. Frazier is long, fast and athletic but upright and gawky in transitions from off-man coverage. He stays connected to all forms of vertical routes and uses his length/leaping ability to shade deep windows for the quarterback. He sees well from zone coverage and can burst/stride into plays on the football that some can’t get to,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft write-up.
“His traits, in-season improvement and ball production could make him a Day 3 pick with upside as an outside corner.”
- Round 6 Pick 195 (via LAR) – Luke Newman – OL – Michigan – 0 Sks allowed, 9 Press
Newman is the latest project for new Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar.
The rookie played left guard at Michigan. That is notable with Bears’ offseason trade acquisition Joe Thuney is in the final year of his contract. Newman joins incumbent projects in 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie and 2022 sixth-rounder Doug Kramer.
“He’s quick with the upper-body strength to deliver a powerful punch as a pass blocker,” Muench wrote pre-draft. “His lateral quickness and balance make him a good fit for zone-heavy run schemes.”
- Round 7 Pick 233 (via CIN) – Kyle Monangai – RB – Rutgers – 256 Att, 1,279 Yds, 13 TDs, 0 Fum
A fifth-year senior, Monangai rushed for 2,541 yards and 21 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Rutgers.
Monangai was lightly used but still posted 22 receptions for 153 yards and 1 TD in that span and could provide a solid complement to incumbent RB1 D’Andre Swift, along with Roschon Johnson.
“He drives his legs and carries defenders for extra yards. He can stick his foot in the ground and get upfield. He’s quicker than fast, accelerating through seams between the tackles,” Muench wrote pre-draft. “Monangai makes defenders miss without losing much momentum. He’s a reliable check-down option who can pick up yards after the catch. He set the Rutgers record for most touches without a fumble.”
Round 7 Pick 240(via MIN) – traded to BUF
Pre-Draft Bears Notes:
- Poles said RT Darnell Wright’s ability to play LT factored into draft evaluation
- Poles expects a “wild” draft with plenty of trade activity
- Poles expects to find multiple prospects after draft
- Cunningham left door open for a trade up
- Cunningham said they opt for the “best player available”
- Cunningham is confident in LT situation
Latest Draft Rumors
ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote that rival front offices suspect the Bears are hoping to land Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini also wrote that the Bears are hoping to land Jeanty.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that the Bears are also interested in Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, but added “Chicago loves” Jeanty. Fowler also adds that offensive tackle is also on the Bears’ perceived radar. This comes after Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times as a rookie.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer specifically projected LT as a potential target along with Jeanty and a defensive lineman. Breer cited Braxton Jones entering a contract year, free agent signing Dayo Odeyingbo playing inside on passing downs, and a sidekick for Grady Jarrett.
Moreover, ESPN’s Matt Miller projected the Bears would select Michigan TE Colston Loveland in his final mock draft.
Bears Draft Predictions:
- Bears will not trade up in Round 1…
- …And that is because the board breaks their way, and they land Jeanty
- Bears will trade at least one of their second-round picks
- Bears will draft at least two non-need positions: WR/LB/CB