The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and teams are gearing up to make selections that will shape the future of their franchises. After a rollercoaster 2024 season, the Chicago Bears are once again positioned to make a significant impact with their draft choices. Sitting with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round, the Bears are in an enviable position to select a player who could help them compete in the NFC North and beyond.
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. With multiple quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive players all vying for high spots, the decision that the Bears make at No. 10 will be a critical one for their future. In this article, we will explore the shocking selection the Bears might make at the 10th spot, the context surrounding this pick, and what it means for the Bears’ current and future roster.
The Bears’ Current Roster and Needs Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a major rebuilding phase. After a lackluster 2024 season that saw them struggle to remain competitive in a tough NFC North division, they are looking for new ways to accelerate their rebuild. The team has a promising young quarterback in Justin Fields, but questions persist about the supporting cast around him.
Fields’ development is key to the Bears’ future. While his dual-threat ability provides explosive plays, there have been concerns about his consistency as a passer. The Bears have made some progress in strengthening their offensive line, but there’s still work to be done in giving Fields the weapons and protection he needs to succeed long-term.
The Bears’ offense remains a work in progress, and the team will need to focus on surrounding Fields with talent. Wide receiver remains a glaring need, as does the offensive line. However, the Bears’ defense is where things become more interesting. While they have talented players in key positions, there are still holes, especially in the secondary and pass rush. The Bears’ defensive coordinator has emphasized the need for dynamic playmakers, and the draft could be the best opportunity to add talent.
That leads to the No. 10 pick, which gives the Bears a valuable chance to grab a game-changing player—someone who could contribute immediately and accelerate the rebuilding process. So, who will they pick?
The Shocking Selection: WR Julian Jackson (UCLA)
While the conventional wisdom surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft has leaned toward the Bears selecting a top defensive player, wide receiver Julian Jackson from UCLA has emerged as a shocking, yet intriguing, pick for the Bears at No. 10 overall. Jackson is a physical, dynamic playmaker with all the tools necessary to thrive at the next level. He has been drawing comparisons to some of the best receivers in the NFL, and his selection at No. 10 would send shockwaves through the league.
Why Julian Jackson?
- Elite Talent and Versatility: Julian Jackson is widely considered one of the most talented wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft. At 6’4″, 210 pounds, Jackson is a big-bodied receiver with impressive speed and agility. He runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and is known for his ability to break away from defenders with ease. Jackson excels in both deep routes and short-to-intermediate routes, making him a versatile weapon who can fit into any offensive system.
Jackson’s ability to make contested catches and stretch the field gives him the potential to be a No. 1 receiver at the next level. His strong hands and ability to make plays in tight coverage make him an appealing target for any quarterback. For the Bears, who have struggled to find consistent weapons for Fields, Jackson represents an opportunity to provide the young quarterback with a legitimate No. 1 receiving option.
- Addressing Justin Fields’ Need for a Top Target: One of the most important aspects of the Bears’ rebuild is the development of Justin Fields. While Fields has shown flashes of brilliance, he needs a reliable and explosive weapon to take his game to the next level. The Bears’ receiving corps has been subpar for years, with Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool both failing to make significant strides as the go-to guys. Julian Jackson, with his ability to make explosive plays and take the top off the defense, would give Fields the type of dynamic target that he desperately needs.
The Bears have focused heavily on improving their offensive line, but Fields will also need a playmaker who can help him succeed in the passing game. Jackson’s presence would give Fields a reliable weapon who can go up and get passes in contested situations, run precise routes, and contribute on short-to-medium yardage plays. It’s a selection that would immediately change the dynamic of the Bears’ offense.
- The Best Available Talent at No. 10: Heading into the 2025 draft, the Bears are expected to see a number of prospects—defensive players and offensive linemen, in particular—on the board at No. 10. However, Julian Jackson stands out not just as a positional need but as the best player available. While many have projected the Bears to go after an edge rusher or cornerback, Jackson’s talent and the urgency to improve their passing game could outweigh the need for defense. The Bears have struggled to find playmakers on offense for far too long, and Jackson’s skills represent a once-in-a-generation talent at wide receiver.
Additionally, with Fields still in the early stages of his development, giving him a proven playmaker will help accelerate his growth. While defensive players like edge rushers or corners could help strengthen the Bears’ defense, a top-tier wide receiver could have an immediate and far-reaching impact on the Bears’ offensive efficiency.
Impact on the Bears’ Offense
A wide receiver selection like Jackson at No. 10 would immediately inject new life into the Bears’ offense. For Justin Fields, having a high-caliber weapon like Jackson would change the dynamics of the offense in several ways:
- Opening Up the Passing Game: Fields has shown he can be a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, but the passing game has often been a liability. With Jackson on the roster, the Bears would finally have a wide receiver capable of pulling defenders away from the line of scrimmage, opening up passing lanes for Fields. Jackson’s deep-ball ability would also make the Bears more dangerous on long throws, taking advantage of Fields’ arm strength and mobility.
- A Safety Net for Fields: One of the key criticisms of Fields’ passing game is that he struggles when forced to throw under pressure. With Jackson running precise routes and being able to make contested catches, Fields would have a security blanket—a target he can rely on in difficult situations. Jackson’s ability to gain separation and make catches in tight windows would be a boon to Fields, who could focus on getting the ball to his best target, even when under duress.
- Opening Up the Playbook: A top-tier wide receiver like Jackson would allow Bears’ offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to open up the playbook more freely. The Bears could explore more deep routes, play-action passes, and passing concepts designed to take advantage of Jackson’s size and speed. With a player like Jackson on the field, defenders will need to account for him, allowing the Bears to be more creative and dynamic with their offensive play calling.
- Improved Red Zone Efficiency: One area where the Bears have struggled significantly in recent years is their red zone offense. With a player like Jackson, who excels in contested catches and high-pressure situations, the Bears would have a legitimate red zone threat. Jackson’s ability to out-jump defenders and make difficult catches in tight spaces would make him a go-to target in the end zone, an area the Bears have historically struggled to capitalize on.
The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for the Bears’ Future?
If the Bears were to make the shocking decision to select Julian Jackson at No. 10, it would send a strong message about the direction of the franchise. It would signal a commitment to developing Justin Fields and surrounding him with top-tier talent to give him every opportunity to succeed. The Bears’ rebuild has been primarily focused on improving the defense and offensive line, but selecting Jackson would be a major step toward transforming their offense into a competitive force.
The selection of Jackson would also raise the stakes for future drafts. With their quarterback now equipped with a true No. 1 receiver, the Bears would need to focus on building around that foundation in the coming years, whether through bolstering the offensive line or adding more defensive talent. This pick could be a pivotal moment in the Bears’ long-term success.
Additionally, Jackson’s addition would elevate the Bears’ standing in the NFC North. Teams like the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have built solid offenses, and the Green Bay Packers are always competitive. By adding a game-changing wide receiver to the mix, the Bears would signal their intent to not only rebuild but to compete immediately for a playoff spot.
The Bold Move That Could Define the Bears’ Rebuild
The Chicago Bears have a unique opportunity at the 2025 NFL Draft to make a selection that will define the future of their franchise. While the logical pick may seem to be a defensive player or offensive lineman, the shocking choice of selecting wide receiver Julian Jackson at No. 10 could be exactly what the Bears need. His combination of size, speed, and playmaking ability makes him a game-changing talent that could accelerate Justin Fields’ development and transform the Bears’ offense into a competitive unit.
As the 2025 NFL Draft draws nearer, the Bears are at a crossroads. With their pick at No. 10, they have the chance to reshape the future of the franchise, and selecting Jackson would send a message to the league that the Bears are committed to building around their young quarterback and making a splash in the NFC North. The Bears’ decision at No. 10 will be watched closely by analysts, fans, and competitors alike, and it has the potential to reshape the team’s future for years to come.