4 Potential Surprise First-Round Draft Picks for the Chicago Bears That Could Stun the NFL
The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and for the Chicago Bears, this is a crucial opportunity to reshape their roster and build for the future. With a young quarterback in Justin Fields, the Bears are in a pivotal moment in their rebuild, needing to make strategic moves to boost both the offense and defense. Chicago holds several draft picks, including their own first-round selection, and with a wealth of options available, the potential for surprises is high.
While many mock drafts project the Bears to address the offensive line, defensive line, or secondary, there are always a few surprises on draft night. A surprising pick might be a player who doesn’t immediately fill a glaring need but could make a significant impact for years to come. Here are four potential surprise first-round draft picks for the Bears that could stun the NFL and change the course of their rebuild.
1. Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
While many consider defensive line as one of the Bears’ top needs, it may come as a shock if they decide to take a player like Jalen Carter, the standout defensive tackle from Georgia. The Bears already have some solid pieces on defense, but Carter’s combination of size, strength, and agility makes him a potential game-changer at the next level.
Carter is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the 2025 draft class and possesses the kind of talent that could immediately elevate Chicago’s defensive front. The Bears have a history of building from the trenches, and while many expect them to address the offensive line with their first-round pick, Carter could represent an unexpected, yet explosive, option to pair with the team’s current defensive core.
While Carter would not fill an immediate need on the offensive side of the ball, he could provide an anchor in the middle of the defense, contributing as both a pass rusher and a run-stopper. His ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt opposing quarterbacks would be a huge asset to a Bears defense that already features stars like Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson. Taking Carter would also set the team up for long-term success by adding a cornerstone defensive player.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
The Chicago Bears have one of the youngest quarterbacks in the league in Justin Fields, and a strong argument could be made for surrounding him with elite playmakers. While many expect the Bears to address their offensive line or defensive needs, a surprising first-round pick could be Marvin Harrison Jr., the Ohio State wide receiver who has been one of the most electrifying players in college football.
Harrison Jr. has the size (6’4”, 205 pounds), speed, and route-running ability to become a top-tier wide receiver in the NFL. His ball skills and ability to make contested catches make him a dangerous weapon for any quarterback, and he would provide Fields with the dynamic target he’s currently missing in Chicago’s receiving corps.
While the Bears did add DJ Moore in the offseason, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a rare talent that could complement Moore and create an explosive receiving tandem. Pairing Fields with one of the most talented wide receivers to come out of college in recent memory would give the Bears a potential game-changer on offense. A first-round pick on Harrison Jr. would stun the NFL, but it would also create a scary offense for years to come, especially with a quarterback like Fields developing alongside him.
3. Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
Another unexpected first-round pick could be Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who has been one of the most dominant players at his position in college football. Bowers has the athleticism to be a mismatch nightmare for defenses, with the ability to both block and be a game-breaking pass catcher. At 6’4″ and 240 pounds, he combines size, speed, and excellent hands to be an all-around threat on offense.
While tight end may not appear to be a major need for the Bears with Cole Kmet already in the fold, Bowers’ talent is hard to ignore. The Bears could take a page out of the book of other NFL teams that have used dynamic tight ends as primary weapons in their offenses, such as the Kansas City Chiefs with Travis Kelce or the San Francisco 49ers with George Kittle.
Bowers is a generational talent at tight end, and his presence in the passing game would give Justin Fields a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere on the field. Adding Bowers would not only improve Chicago’s offense but also give Fields a reliable option in the middle of the field to complement the Bears’ wide receivers. With the NFL increasingly moving toward utilizing tight ends in multiple roles, Bowers could be the kind of player who transforms the Bears’ offense and gives them a dynamic weapon for years to come.
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
While most mock drafts have the Bears addressing their offensive line or pass rush, another surprising pick could be Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Bears have invested in their secondary in recent years, but McKinstry is a player who could take the defense to another level and make an immediate impact.
McKinstry has been one of the top cornerbacks in college football, showing excellent ball skills, elite speed, and a physical presence that makes him a standout in coverage. His ability to lock down top receivers and create turnovers would be a welcome addition to the Bears’ defense, which is still searching for a true shutdown cornerback to complement Jaylon Johnson.
The NFL is becoming a pass-heavy league, and teams that excel in pass coverage are at a distinct advantage. While cornerback may not be an immediate need for Chicago, adding a player like McKinstry would not only improve their defensive backfield but also give them the flexibility to match up against the league’s top passing offenses. With teams like the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, having a strong secondary is crucial,