Which direction will the Chicago Bears go with the No. 25 pick? Brad Biggs' NFL mock draft 3.0.
One thing Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles talks about consistently is being nimble in the front office.
It’s why he mentions having an array of plans and contingencies in free agency, and the Bears also will need a wide menu Thursday night when they choose near the back end of Round 1 in the NFL draft at No. 25.
The Bears have selected in the 20s only twice since drafting tight end Greg Olsen at No. 31 in 2007, so it’s more difficult to assess which direction they will go than if they were in the top 10, where they’ve frequently found themselves.
There has been chatter about the Bears drafting a left tackle, but a case can be made they are better at that position now than they were entering training camp last summer, when Braxton Jones was rushing back from ankle surgery and second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo - now rehabilitating after a serious knee injury - was viewed as a better right tackle than left.
What to know about the 2026 NFL draft, including when the Chicago Bears pick and how to watch
If a potential left tackle the Bears have graded highly makes it all the way to No. 25, a discussion would be needed. But the Bears haven’t done a lot to improve a pedestrian pass rush, and adding to a mix that begins with Montez Sweat and Austin Booker makes sense.
Here’s one way it could play out in mock draft 3.0.
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1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Raiders are hopeful Mendoza can be a spark in the franchise’s latest reboot, which happens every two years - if not annually - for the Silver and Black. The Raiders have had only two winning seasons in the last 23. They signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins, but Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza is the future.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State
The argument for Reese over Texas Tech’s David Bailey is that Reese has a higher floor because he’s a more dynamic athlete. Reese weighed 241 pounds at the scouting combine, but he would have a lot of flexibility with the Jets making fundamental changes to their defensive scheme.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Cardinals could be looking to trade out of this spot, but in a top 10 that’s short on gems, would they be able to find a buyer? If not, grabbing the best offensive tackle seems like a shrewd plan as they figure to be in a similar draft spot a year from now and hunting a quarterback.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
It will take some time for new coach Robert Saleh to overhaul a defense that has been a mess. Ohio State LB Sonny Styles would expedite that process, but Love could be too good to pass up as the Titans also must support last year’s No. 1 pick, QB Cam Ward.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The fastest way for new coach John Harbaugh to put his imprint on the Giants is to get them playing the physical brand of football he demands. Styles not only is one of the best players in this draft, but also has one of the highest floors.
6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
The Browns are aiming to completely overhaul their offensive line, a project that probably will require at least two draft picks. The process begins with Fano, who should be able to line up anywhere on the line.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
The secondary has been a problem the last two seasons for coach Dan Quinn. Getting the best pass rusher from the 2025 college season is one way to help out the back end, while Bailey’s short slide ends.
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
The Saints need help on defense and could go in one of two directions: get a pass rusher or choose the top cornerback on the board. We’ll go with an edge rusher as they seek to replace Cam Jordan.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs have a history of trading away top cornerbacks and replacing them in the draft. If coach Andy Reid doesn’t push for an offensive lineman here - which is possible - getting Delane to make up for the trade of Trent McDuffie makes all the sense in the world.
10. Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
There’s a lot of chatter about the Giants grabbing a wide receiver in Round 1, but the Buckeyes duo of Sonny Styles and Downs would give the defense a huge lift.
11. Miami Dolphins: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Dolphins are carrying a whopping $179 million in dead cap space, the most in NFL history, and they could use upgrades at almost every position. Tate would give them the top-tier receiver they need after dealing away Jaylen Waddle to Denver.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
In a perfect world, a front-seven defender would be sitting there for the Cowboys to consider. If not, they need help in the secondary, where they had a slew of injuries last season. McCoy missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL, but he is healthy now and played at an elite level in 2024.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Rams need to fortify the offensive line for MVP Matthew Stafford or provide him with another playmaker. Lemon is super polished, has a knack for getting open and is physical with the ball in his hands. Picking him makes sense with Davante Adams now 33.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
This seems like a GM Eric DeCosta pick, and it makes sense as the Ravens need to shore up the interior of the offensive line to protect QB Lamar Jackson and help RB Derrick Henry keep chugging.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Bucs need more juice for the pass rush, but Sadiq is an intriguing weapon that QB Baker Mayfield could really use, especially with WR Mike Evans having departed to San Francisco.
16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
There has been buzz that Tyson could find his way into the top 10, but durability concerns have to be answered. The Jets could have an interesting pair if they add Tyson to Garrett Wilson.
17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Freeling had a strong combine, and if he’s still on the board, it could be an easy selection for the Lions, who need to fortify an aging unit. Freeling could be a possibility at left tackle if they want to keep Penei Sewell on the right side.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
The Vikings need a safety to replace Harrison Smith, but the pass rush will be thin if rumors about potentially trading Jonathan Greenard come to life. Before the combine, one scout said he preferred Mesidor to Hurricanes teammate Rueben Bain Jr.
19. Carolina Panthers: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Panthers have done a really nice job of building the front seven. Thieneman would help shore things up on the back end. Kenyon Sadiq would be interesting here if he’s still on the board.
20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers): T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
With a pick acquired in the Micah Parsons deal, the Cowboys could grab Parker and hope he recaptures the production he had as a sophomore in 2024. He had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
With left tackle Broderick Jones dealing with a neck injury, the Steelers might want to fortify the offensive line. Miller could play immediately.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
The Chargers need to be better on both sides of the line. If they believe some of their injured offensive linemen will be healthy, they could grab Faulk to beef up the pass rush, which makes sense with Khalil Mack now 35.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Eagles have done a good job over the years of backfilling offensive line spots, and with Lane Johnson back for perhaps his final season, Proctor projects as a right tackle with upside or potential help on the interior at guard.
24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
If the Browns resist the temptation to double up with offensive linemen, they could turn to wide receiver, where they need to improve for whoever emerges as the starting quarterback. Cooper would be a big, strong target for a team that doesn’t have a lot of weapons on the outside.
25. Chicago Bears: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
Unless an offensive tackle whom the Bears have a really high grade on somehow remains on the board, they need to add to their stable of quality defensive linemen, knowing a good safety should be available in later rounds. Young has good size (6-foot-6, 262 pounds) and length and was a first-team All-SEC pick last season, when he made 16½ tackles for a loss.
26. Buffalo Bills: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
It’s all about QB Josh Allen in Buffalo, and that could mean an offensive lineman, if one slides, or maybe a receiver. But the pass rush needs a boost, and Howell would be a good fit for the 3-4 scheme the Bills are installing under a new coaching staff.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The 49ers will have pressing needs on the offensive line very soon, while their pass rush was nonexistent last season after Nick Bosa went out with a torn ACL. They just gave 37-year-old left tackle Trent Williams what might be his final NFL contract. Lomu could come in as help for now and the future.
28. Houston Texans: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Texans have been busy reworking a leaky offensive line. If they’re convinced they have it shored up, they could add to the team’s strength - the defense - with a productive linebacker in Allen, who is explosive around the ball.
29. Chiefs (from Rams): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
If the Chiefs can solve their cornerback issue with their first pick, wide receiver looms as a real need for QB Patrick Mahomes. If there isn’t an offensive lineman who fits here - and the Chiefs might be aggressive hunting one - Concepcion is a shifty operator with the quickness and burst to be an immediate playmaker.
30. Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood is a disruptive cornerback who can thrive in press man coverage. The Dolphins have serious needs in the secondary, and new coach Jeff Hafley rose through the ranks as a defensive backs coach. Improving coverage has to be a goal for him.
31. New England Patriots: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
This looks like a spot for the Patriots to get help protecting QB Drake Maye or to improve a solid defense. McDonald is a rugged run stopper with upside who might fit coach Mike Vrabel’s prototype.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
The Seahawks can backfill for the loss of Riq Woolen in free agency by selecting Johnson, who has the flexibility to play on the outside or in the slot.
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