The Chicago Bears used the No. 195 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, a sixth-rounder, on Michigan Spartans guard Luke Newman.
A converted left tackle who is better suited for the inside at the NFL level, Newman is a Michigan native and grew up a Detroit Lions fan. That and his alma mater’s locale gave him a fine perspective of new Bears head coach Ben Johnson. He met Johnson on a pre-draft visit to Halas Hall.
Newman is even more excited after the Bears drafted him.
Bears OL Luke Newman Eager to Work With HC Ben Johnson
Luke Newman: From Lions Fan to Bears Project
“I love it, man,” Newman told reporters on April 26. “Grateful enough to come down to Chicago on a visi, meet with Coach Johnson and his staff, and he’s a competitor. He loves to win, he loves to grind. He is just the ultimate competitor, and really someone that you would really hope is your coach. And, man, I’m just really excited to play for that guy. And he’s had a lot of success in Detroit, and I think he’ll carry that over big time here in Chicago.”
Johnson told reporters on April 26 that Newman flashed on tape while scouting other prospects.
Newman is the latest project for new Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar. Roushar arrives in Chicago after 40 years in the coaching ranks at both the NFL and collegiate levels.
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.
What Experts Say About Luke Newman
ESPN’s Steve Muench pointed to Newman’s athleticism and projected his scheme fit at the next level.
“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.”
Johnson’s offenses in Detroit featured ample use of “wide zone” concepts.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Newman as his G22 and outside of the top 100 projects in the class. Brugler believes Newman’s “movement skills, demeanor and durability” could stand out in camp.
“Newman is quick in his pass sets to shuffle, slide and mirror while also tracking blitzers. He has the upper-body torque to dump rushers but doesn’t show the same power as a drive blocker to displace in the run game,” Brugler wrote on April 9. “Newman will have a tough time controlling the point of attack against long-armed defensive linemen.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein also noted Newman’s fit, calling him “competive” but lacking power.
“He plays with adequate foot quickness to mirror his gaps but his lunging and wide hands need to be corrected,” Zierlein wrote pre-draft. “Holes in his technique will be exploited by NFL talent and he might not have enough runway to get them corrected with more coaching.”