Larry Mayer
With the NFL Draft kicking off Thursday night, we reviewed 27 final mock drafts to see who pro football analysts are projecting the Bears will select with the 25th pick.
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
Pick:Missouri edge rusher Zion Young
Comment:Dennis Allen loves bigger, longer, violent edge guys, and Young is certainly that. Tackle is a possibility here as well, given all the uncertainty over Ozzy Trapilo's return, and with Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills on one-year deals. But Young gives the Bears a chance to finally settle the spot opposite Montez Sweat, once and for all.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Pick:Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment:Zion Young makes sense. Peter Woods would be a nice addition to the Bears' interior rotation. But I'm going with Parker, who'd bring a well-rounded play style to Chicago's defensive line.
Jason Camenker, USA Today
Pick:Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment:The Bears lost four of their top five safeties in free agency. They brought in Coby Bryant to serve as a replacement at one spot but still need to add a partner for him. McNeil-Warren generated five interceptions and nine forced fumbles across his four seasons at Toledo. Chicago will value that ball production, as well as the small school safety's sound tackling skills.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
Pick:Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment:Woods fits the need for an inside penetrator -- and I am sure Ben Johnson can find a use for him on offense, as well.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Pick:Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment:The Bears are likely to address the trenches in some capacity. Would they consider a left tackle or take advantage of the edge rusher depth? In this case, they take the first defensive tackle off the board. Peter Woods is a prospect who had been mocked in the top 10 frequently dating to the summer.
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
Pick:Missouri edge rusher Zion Young
Comment:Young can get to quarterbacks.
Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated
Pick:Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment:Chicago feels likely to bolster its trenches with this pick, be it an offensive tackle, defensive tackle or edge rusher. Parker fits the third category. He has tremendous hands and a refined rush plan, and while his 2025 tape left plenty to be desired on passing downs, his arsenal and athleticism inspire confidence that he can develop into an impact pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat. Parker is an advanced run defender, too, and gives defensive coordinator Dennis Allen another piece to his front seven.
Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune
Pick:Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk
Comment:Faulk is one of the youngest players in the draft, he was a team captain at Auburn and he has unique size and length. He can provide versatility along Dennis Allen's defensive front.
Adam Hoge, CHGO Sports
Pick:Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods
Comment:Woods has a high ceiling and should be able to contribute on an NFL defensive line very quickly. Concerns about his junior year production are valid, but he has too much raw talent to be maxed out. His quickness and run-stopping ability are exactly what the Bears need.
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News
Pick:Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment:The Bears saw their safety room clear out with Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson gone and they need an active big playmaker to replace Byard next to former Seahawk Coby Bryant.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Pick:Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk
Comment:I've had a couple people around the league tell me Faulk is a good scheme fit for Dennis Allen's defense. He can play on the edge but also has the ability to rush from inside if needed.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Pick:Missouri edge rusher Zion Young
Comment:He piled up 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures and 18 tackles for loss last season, showing a mix of power and quickness.
Aaron Leming, Windy City Gridiron
Pick:Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk
Comment:Faulk is yet another of those players teams fawn over for his physical profile, despite his production not matching. The Bears under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen covet big, long defensive ends who can stop the run. Faulk fits that bill, and at 21 years old, there's some room for him to grow as a pass rusher. Chicago could go multiple different ways, including cornerback, safety, or offensive tackle, but it's hard to imagine they'll pass on Faulk if he falls all the way to 25.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Pick:Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu
Comment:A lack of clarity at left tackle could be the one thing standing between the Bears and a Super Bowl run. Lomu might have a bumpy introduction into the league if forced to be a Week 1 starter, but Chicago's line and overall scheme should help avoid a Will Campbell situation.
Nicholas Moreano, Roundtable Sports
Pick:Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor
Comment:The Bears need more pass rush, and Mesidor provides defensive coordinator Dennis Allen with an experienced edge rusher who knows how to pressure the quarterback and can set the edge.
Pat Norton, CHGO Sports
Pick:Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman
Comment:The closer we get to draft night, the more I have trouble believing Thieneman will actually be available by the time the Bears are on the clock at No. 25. At 6-0, 201 pounds and after clocking a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, if he is available, he'll be the best player remaining on most boards while also filling a position of need in Chicago.
Dan Parr, NFL.com
Pick:Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment:I don't blame DC Dennis Allen if the images of Parker dominating with his long-arm move at the Senior Bowl have replayed in his head over the past few months. The Bears make a move to boost the pass rush, although offensive tackle and safety could also be in play here.
Zack Pearson, Bear Report
Pick:Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment:The Bears can go a bunch of different routes here but I believe they will go with a safety to fill that second starting spot.
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Pick:Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu
Comment:Caleb Lomu's handwork and ability to stay upright prevent edge rushers from blowing past his shoulders, and he has strong instincts. The Bears need someone who can anchor the left tackle spot after a parade of injuries at that spot in 2025. Lomu can be Caleb Williams' long-term blindside protector.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Pick:Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling
Comment:Their left tackle spot is a problem, so taking Freeling fills a need. They could also consider defensive line help here.
Rob Rang, Fox Sports
Pick:Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller
Comment:The Bears are facing a sadly similar dilemma as the Panthers at No. 19 overall, with left tackle Ozzy Trapillo's availability for next season in jeopardy after he suffered a knee injury in the playoffs. Miller started 54 games in four seasons at Clemson, and though 52 of those were at right tackle, I think his surprising agility at 6-7, 317 pounds, projects quite well to the left side, as well.
Mike Renner, CBS Sports
Pick:Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk
Comment:Faulk fits perfectly with the Bears' long and physical edge room. He can be an early-down edge-setter, allowing emerging talent Austin Booker to focus on pass-rushing downs.
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
Pick:Missouri edge rusher Zion Young
Comment:Young is a big, tough edge setter with pass rush power. His intensity and three-down ability would be highly valued for the Bears front.
Peter Schrager, ESPN
Pick:Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment:We might see a little push for edge rushers at the end of Round 1, and Chicago could land Parker with the hope that he gets back to his 11-sack production of 2024 (he had five in 2025).
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Pick:Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker
Comment:Parker will eat opposite Montez Sweat. His 2025 tape wasn't nearly as impressive as 2024, but he finished with a flourish, sacking LaNorris Sellers four times in his final college game before heading to the Senior Bowl and dominating all three days of practice.
Field Yates, ESPN
Pick:Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas
Comment:Chicago has put an emphasis on getting faster this offseason, and Thomas would support that push. He has an excellent first step, powerful hands and a high-level motor to help the Bears be less reliant on scheming pressure via blitzes. Last season, Chicago ranked 29th in pressure rate (28%).
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Pick:Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Comment:Safeties Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all left Chicago in free agency. While the Bears did sign Coby Bryant, he needs a partner at the position. McNeil-Warren is a thumper with spectacular size and the ability to align in a variety of spots.
