As the Chicago Bears enter the 2025 NFL Draft, the future of their franchise revolves around their young quarterback, Caleb Williams. After securing the No. 1 overall pick in the previous draft, the Bears wisely chose Williams as the centerpiece of their rebuild. Now, with their focus set on building a competitive team around their budding star, General Manager Ryan Poles must strategically address the Bears’ remaining needs, particularly in terms of skill players who can elevate Williams’ development and give him the tools necessary to thrive in the NFL.
This 7-round mock draft for the Bears emphasizes adding playmakers to surround Williams with talent on both sides of the ball. From wide receivers who can stretch the field to offensive linemen who can protect the franchise’s future, the Bears’ draft selections will need to complement their young quarterback’s skill set. Additionally, strengthening the defense and adding depth to key positions will be essential as the Bears aim to become a well-rounded contender in the NFC.
In this mock draft, we’ll examine seven potential selections that could help the Bears build around Williams and set them up for long-term success.
While the Bears’ offense will be the focus of their rebuilding efforts, it’s equally important that they strengthen their defense to support Williams. Jalen Carter, the standout defensive tackle from Georgia, would be a perfect selection for the Bears at No. 10 overall.
Carter’s combination of size (6’3″, 310 pounds) and athleticism makes him one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in this draft class. His ability to disrupt the quarterback from the interior of the defensive line would add a dynamic presence to Chicago’s front seven. The Bears have a solid base on defense, but they are still looking for that elite pass-rusher to complement their existing talent. Carter could provide that, with his ability to collapse the pocket and stop the run, making him a cornerstone piece for years to come.
Building around Williams will not only require improving the offense but also ensuring that the Bears have a defense capable of keeping games close. Carter’s potential to change the game with his quickness and power will give the Bears a significant edge against some of the high-powered offenses they’ll face in the NFC North and beyond.
To protect Caleb Williams and provide him with a stable pocket, the Bears must focus on improving their offensive line. Broderick Jones, an offensive tackle from Georgia, would be an excellent pick in the second round.
Jones is a powerful and athletic tackle who excels at both run blocking and pass protection. His combination of strength, footwork, and quickness makes him a perfect fit for a Bears’ offense that will likely rely on both the run game and passing game to support Williams. With Jones’ ability to protect the quarterback’s blindside and open up running lanes, he would be a significant upgrade to the Bears’ offensive line.
Williams will need time to develop and adjust to the NFL, and ensuring that he has a reliable offensive line in front of him will be critical. Jones would step in immediately as a starter and help solidify the Bears’ line for the future.
In order to maximize Caleb Williams’ potential, the Bears must surround him with talented pass catchers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2025 draft class, would be a fantastic pick at No. 71 overall.
Smith-Njigba is known for his excellent route running, sharp hands, and ability to create separation from defenders. He is a precise and intelligent receiver who can make an impact in the slot or on the outside. Adding Smith-Njigba to the Bears’ receiving corps would give Williams a reliable target who can move the chains and make plays after the catch.
Williams needs playmakers who can turn short passes into big gains and open up the field for the entire offense. Smith-Njigba would immediately add that dimension to the Bears’ passing attack. Pairing him with DJ Moore, who already offers deep-threat ability, would give the Bears a balanced and dangerous receiving duo.
While the Bears have Khalil Herbert and are developing Rashaad Penny, adding a dynamic running back like Zach Evans could be an excellent move in the fourth round. Evans is a powerful and fast back who can take over a game with his blend of vision, burst, and strength. At Ole Miss, Evans was a key contributor, showing the ability to break off long runs and gain tough yards when needed.
For a young quarterback like Caleb Williams, having a reliable running game is essential to take the pressure off his shoulders. Evans’ ability to contribute in both the running and passing game would make him an immediate asset to the Bears. His vision and quickness will allow him to find holes in the defense and give Williams additional options in the short passing game.
Adding Evans would give the Bears a well-rounded backfield, and his presence could help the team establish a balanced offensive attack, making life easier for Williams as he transitions to the NFL.
Building on the need for pass catchers, the Bears should consider adding another wide receiver in the fifth round. Tyler Scott from Cincinnati offers a strong skill set with the potential to develop into a reliable target for Caleb Williams.
Scott is a speedy receiver with the ability to stretch the field and create big plays. He has good hands and the agility to make defenders miss in the open field. His deep-threat capability would open up the offense and provide Williams with another vertical option to complement Moore and Smith-Njigba.
Scott may not be ready to make an immediate impact as a primary target, but his development into a role player who can contribute on deep routes and in the red zone could significantly benefit the Bears as they continue to build around their young quarterback
As the Bears continue to fortify their defense, selecting Dorian Williams, a linebacker from Tulane, in the sixth round would be a strong addition to their front seven. Williams is a versatile and athletic linebacker who excels in coverage and is capable of making plays all over the field.
Williams’ ability to diagnose plays and his sideline-to-sideline speed make him an excellent candidate for Chicago’s defense. Adding depth to the linebacker position will ensure that the Bears have more flexibility in defensive packages and can compete with the high-powered offenses in the NFC.
For the Bears, Williams would provide quality depth behind Roquan Smith, and he could eventually develop into a full-time starter as he refines his skills. His athleticism and playmaking ability will help the Bears keep pace with the evolving trends of the modern NFL.
In the seventh round, the Bears should look to add more depth to their offensive line, and Jordan McFadden from Clemson would be a solid choice. McFadden is a versatile tackle who has the ability to contribute both at guard and tackle. His experience in a high-powered offense like Clemson’s would give him a smooth transition to the NFL.
While McFadden may not come in as an immediate starter, his potential as a swing tackle and depth player could prove invaluable as the Bears continue to build their offensive line around Caleb Williams. His physicality and experience at a high level of competition give him the tools to contribute at the next level.
Building a team around Caleb Williams means giving him the necessary tools to succeed while ensuring the Bears remain competitive in the NFC. By targeting key skill players such as Jalen Carter, Broderick Jones, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Zach Evans, the Bears would create a well-rounded roster capable of supporting their young quarterback. Adding depth at receiver, linebacker, and offensive line with selections like Tyler Scott, Dorian Williams, and Jordan McFadden would also provide the Bears with the flexibility and depth needed for long-term success.
This 7-round mock draft is designed to build a foundation around Caleb Williams, giving him the talent and support necessary to reach his full potential as the future leader of the Chicago Bears. With strategic selections in key positions, the Bears could quickly become one of the most dangerous and well-rounded teams in the NFC.