CHICAGO — There’s confidence at Halas Hall that a busy offseason switching out the coaching staff and adding talent via trades and free agency has produced a better roster as the Chicago Bears prepare for their second season with quarterback Caleb Williams.
The most significant personnel upgrades are on the interior of the offensive line, where center Drew Dalman and guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson should create a better pocket for Williams. The Bears spent big adding to the defensive line, as well, with end Dayo Odeyingbo and tackle Grady Jarrett.
Complementary additions such as wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay and Miles Boykin, tight end Durham Smythe and cornerbacks Shaun Wade and Nick McCloud have filled in some depth, leading general manager Ryan Poles to feel like the Bears can lean toward the best player available in the draft.
That’s the goal every team has — to get the best player on its board and not be pigeonholed into drafting for need. There’s a balance that comes with that, and ties can be broken based on the depth chart.
New coach Ben Johnson comes from Detroit, where the Lions didn’t ignite their high-powered offense until the offensive line was set with a series of strong draft picks. That — and the Bears’ tenuous situation at left tackle with Braxton Jones coming off ankle surgery and 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie an unproven commodity — is not overlooked in this mock draft 2.0.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Titans canceled a private workout with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, signaling they’re all-in on Ward, provided another team doesn’t come along with a bounty of draft picks to make a trade.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The Browns can have a spirited discussion about using the pick on Carter or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They know the exploding market for edge rushers as well as any team, having just paid Myles Garrett. Carter would give them talented bookends on the defensive line.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Giants were set back in their rebuilding process after failing with quarterback Daniel Jones. If they’re not convinced Shedeur Sanders is the man to solve the QB dilemma — and they’ve added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — they have to go in a different direction. Hunter, Sanders’ college teammate, would help on both sides of the ball.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots were very active in free agency, restocking the defense for new coach Mike Vrabel. It’s imperative they provide help for impressive quarterback Drake Maye. Campbell has the kind of makeup that meshes with Vrabel, whether he winds up playing left tackle or kicking inside.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It’s a deep class for defensive tackles. Graham doesn’t bring down the quarterback a whole lot, but he does everything else really well. New GM James Gladstone also could go with an offensive lineman in this spot, and it’s worth wondering if the Jaguars would look to deal down.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Geno Smith never benefited from a consistently strong running game in Seattle. The Raiders should be able to pound the rock with Jeanty in an effort to balance the offense around their new quarterback.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Jets could use some playmakers for Justin Fields, but they have to solve problems up front and they won’t get things straightened out until they’re better in the trenches. Membou lacks the ideal height for a right tackle, and some teams are evaluating him as a guard. But he is athletic and could help immediately.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
The Panthers are hopeful QB Bryce Young’s surge in the second half of last season means the offense is on track. They’ve been busy on defense this offseason but have yet to adequately replace Brian Burns. Walker would fill that void nicely.
9. New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Saints are set up for a third season with Derek Carr at quarterback. The franchise fumbles along, deep in salary-cap issues. If the Saints choose Sanders, they have a QB to build a new future around.
10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
In the Bears’ bid to rebuild the offensive line, there wasn’t a left tackle to pursue in free agency once Ronnie Stanley re-signed in Baltimore. They want competition for the position, and with Braxton Jones coming off ankle surgery and Kiran Amegadjie’s skill unknown, a left tackle for the future would make sense if they really want to build from the inside out. Maybe No. 10 is a little high for Banks, and it’s worth wondering if the Bears could trade down and still grab him.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
GM John Lynch is retooling the roster in a transformative offseason. The 49ers have to add help at cornerback, and some believe the athletic Barron, who has excellent ball skills and the ability to play inside, is the second-best option at the position in the draft after Travis Hunter.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Campbell was recruited as an edge rusher, but he’s so athletic and rangy that he found a home playing off the ball. He’s the kind of player who could do a lot of things at a high level for new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
13. Miami Dolphins: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Dolphins have pressing needs on the offensive line and also need help on the back end of the defense. If they go with the latter, Johnson is a great fit and can step in right away as a clear upgrade.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Warren would be a great fit in the middle of the Colts offense to boost the running game and be a solid target for Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones — whoever winds up playing quarterback. The Penn State product is the best tight end in a good draft for the position.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Vic Beasley is the last Falcon to have more than 10 sacks in a season (15 1/2 in 2016), and Green led the nation with 17 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss in 2024. There are off-field character concerns, but if the Falcons sign off on the Marshall product, he would provide instant energy off the edge.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Cardinals might have greater needs — both sides of the line of scrimmage come to mind — but they also need to give quarterback Kyler Murray more options on the outside to go with Marvin Harrison Jr. Golden is polished and could help elevate the passing game.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
As the Bengals try to resolve a contract issue with defensive end Trey Hendrickson, it makes sense to find a contingency plan. Even if they wind up making Hendrickson happy, another pass rusher makes sense after Sam Hubbard’s retirement. Williams is a dynamic athlete with good length who would have been more productive last season if he hadn’t played through an ankle injury.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State
GM John Schneider made it clear he knew a lot of work was needed on the offensive line. Zabel had a fantastic Senior Bowl and combine and can help at any of the three interior positions. His versatility, toughness and strength make him an ideal selection.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
The Bucs need help in the secondary and to amp up their pass rush. Ezeiruaku is a little short but has good length and finishing ability, as evidenced by his 16 1/2 sacks last season. He plays hard and has a very good burst off the line of scrimmage.
20. Denver Broncos: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Broncos could lean toward a running back to support quarterback Bo Nix or wait because the draft is so deep at that position. McMillan fits the big receiver profile that coach Sean Payton has had success with in the past (Marques Colston, Michael Thomas).
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Hampton is a big, athletic back who profiles wonderfully for the Steelers, who have a real need after Najee Harris’ exit. They have been busy investigating the quarterback market — and it’s worth wondering how they feel about Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chargers don’t need to do a lot of research into Loveland, who played for coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Loveland is a versatile tight end who does a little bit of everything at a high level and would aid quarterback Justin Herbert in the middle of the field.
23. Green Bay Packers: Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi
The Packers might want to find a receiver for quarterback Jordan Love, but it’s not a great draft at that position. They also need help in the secondary with Jaire Alexander’s status uncertain. Amos has good size and length and ran well at the combine.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
While Harrison Smith is returning for another season, the Vikings could add a talented safety in this spot. But they also want to put second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the best position to succeed, and that means help for the interior of the offensive line. Jackson is plenty athletic as he filled in at left tackle when Ohio State was in a pinch.
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Texans opted to blow up the offensive line after it struggled to protect C.J. Stroud in the quarterback’s second season, trading away left tackle Laremy Tunsil. They need to invest in the line and can choose between Simmons and Oregon’s Josh Conerly.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
Linebacker and cornerback are needs that have to be filled, but Matthew Stafford is 37, and if coach Sean McVay likes Dart, it would make sense to put a quarterback plan for the future in motion.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
If Booker is still on the board, he would be a great fit for the Ravens, who need to shore up the offensive line. Booker is a clean prospect with a high floor and would be an athletic addition to the interior.
28. Detroit Lions: James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee
There are character concerns to sort through with Pearce, but if the Lions feel comfortable, he’d be an ideal fit opposite Aidan Hutchinson and would fill one of the defending NFC North champions’ few needs.
29. Washington Commanders: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Commanders could be in the market for defensive line help, but coach Dan Quinn loves hybrid-type safeties. Emmanwori is versatile and physical and would be a great replacement for Jeremy Chinn on the back end of the defense.
30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Bills will prioritize defense and could go for a cornerback or safety. Hairston is a speedy performer with good change-of-direction skills.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Chiefs will look to add talent to the offensive line, but Starks is an intriguing option because of his versatility to play not only safety, but also nickel back. He’s terrific in coverage and the kind of smart player who could flourish for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Super Bowl star Milton Williams left for a rich contract with the Patriots in free agency, but the Eagles can do what they normally do — reload. Nolen is another high-profile SEC defensive tackle with disruptive traits who would fit nicely with the big bodies Vic Fangio already has.
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