Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: New head coach Ben Johnson’s experience with a dominant line while running the offense for division-rival Detroit could prompt him to add more resources to the Bears’ front, even after it was fortified in free agency. Banks is a natural left tackle with the athleticism and shadowboxing skills to protect Caleb Williams‘ blind side.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: This is a pairing that grew on me the more and more I considered it. Ben Johnson runs a decent amount of “12” personnel, which would get both Warren and Cole Kmet on the field. Warren can be for Chicago what Sam LaPorta was to Detroit the last two seasons.
Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: The Bears have Cole Kmet, so this selection could be confusing until you consider that they lost Keenan Allen and didn’t replace him. With Allen gone, the Bears could draft an elite tight end and go to a two-tight end set.
Courtney Cronin, ESPN
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: The Bears are in a precarious spot at the end of the Top 10. I don’t believe Ashton Jeanty will be available. I don’t see Will Campbell making it past the Patriots at No. 4. Chicago flipped the interior of the offensive line this offseason and shouldn’t stop addressing the protection around Caleb Williams if their left tackle of the future is available.
Charles Davis, NFL.com
Pick: Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams
Comment: Size, speed, explosiveness — Williams has the traits teams are looking for in an edge rusher. The Bears’ Montez Sweat welcomes the help.
Nate Davis, USA Today
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: With two picks coming early in Round 2, the Bears can afford to take a luxury pick — a nice Tonka truck for Ben Johnson to play with — and swing back later for the tackle.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Pick: Missouri tackle Armand Membou
Comment: The idea is to move Armand Membou from his home at right tackle to left tackle. He has the athleticism to do so, but whether or not that conversion is successful will depend upon the extra time that he puts in away from the field and the makeup of the player. Ben Johnson has finished construction on a physical offensive line his first season in the Windy City.
Chris Emma, The Score 670 AM
Pick: LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
Pick: Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou
Comment: Not an exciting pick, but a valuable one. They would love another tight end, but Bears have Cole Kmet.
Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: The multi-faceted Warren, who ran for 218 yards and threw six times last year, is perfect for mad scientist Ben Johnson.
Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic
Pick: Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams
Comment: Here’s some synergy with 2018 — when the Bears hired a first-time, offensive-minded head coach, but the first pick of the Matt Nagy era was Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, who would massively help veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense. Seven years later, Ryan Poles and first-time, offensive-minded head coach Ben Johnson get a weapon for veteran defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense in Williams, who has the size and length that fits what Allen likes at the position. With Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo already on the roster, Williams doesn’t need to be more than a rotational edge rusher early on, as he can continue to grow into the position.
Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: New coach Ben Johnson has been remaking the offensive line since taking the job, trading for Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and now selecting Banks to shore things up in front of Caleb Williams.
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty
Alan Goldsher, Sports Illustrated
Pick: North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton at No. 17 via trade with Bengals that includes Bears acquiring defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Daniel Harms, The Draft Network
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty
Jacob Infante, Pro Football Network
Pick: North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton
Comment: The Chicago Bears aggressively addressed their offensive line early in the offseason, and they added some talent up front for their defensive line. In this NFL Mock Draft, they give new head coach Ben Johnson a potential superstar running back like he had in Detroit.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: With the top offensive linemen and Jeanty off the board, Warren becomes a very attractive piece for Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears will be living in 12 personnel with Warren, Cole Kmet, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the field. That’s a group to be excited about.
Alex Joyce, Sports Illustrated
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 5 via trade with Jaguars
Comment: It’s looking more and more likely that Jeanty ends up going higher than originally expected. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson just watched what having a duo of Montgomery and Gibbs did for the Lions. Now he adds a star running back to pair with D’Andre Swift in Chicago. Armed with an extra second round pick from the Carolina trade two years ago, the Bears can give up one of those two to add a dynamic playmaker to the offense.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: New coach Ben Johnson would love having Warren in his offense. At 6-foot-6, Warren lines up just about anywhere, will consistently be a mismatch for defenders and can catch everything thrown in his neighborhood. The Bears focused on improving their offensive line in free agency, and now they can get Caleb Williams an elite playmaker.
Chris Kwiecinski, Fox 32 Chicago
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: This draft is deep with offensive linemen, running backs and pass rushers. The Bears can add at those positions with their two second-round selections. There’s only one Warren. If you thought Johnson was a genius with his “Stumble Bum” plays, think of what he can do with Warren.
Jason Lieser, Chicago Sun-Times
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: If Will Campbell and Armand Membou are gone before No. 10, the Bears likely could trade back 3-5 spots and still land Banks.
Todd McShay, The Ringer
Pick: Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham
Comment: For a minute, it looked like Jeanty would fall into the Bears’ lap. But unless they trade up to get him, they’ll need to go in a different direction. I love the concept of pairing a young pass-catching weapon with tight end Cole Kmet, especially since Chicago would have its choice between Warren and Colston Loveland in this scenario. But I’m hearing it would come down to Graham or Shemar Stewart here. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would love Graham’s active, disruptive style in his scheme. Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, LSU tight end Mason Taylor, Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo, and Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. would be in play at picks 39 and 41.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Pick: LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell
Matt Miller, ESPN.com
Pick: Michigan tight end Colston Loveland
Comment: The Bears would love to see Jeanty fall to this spot, but new coach Ben Johnson can get his version of Sam LaPorta instead. I’ve heard consistently throughout the process that Chicago — and other teams — have Loveland as the top tight end in the class. I have him ranked the same.
Nicholas Moreano, The Bigs Media
Pick: LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell
Comment: There is too much consensus on the top picks in the NFL Draft, so something has to shake things up in Green Bay. For whatever reason, Will Campbell falls to Ryan Poles at No. 10 and the Bears’ general manager doesn’t hesitate to select him. With Campbell anchoring the left tackle position, the Bears complete the overhaul of their offensive line.
Danny Parkins, Fox Sports
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty
Zack Pearson, Bear Report
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: This is a tough draft to predict. I think there’s a shot the Bears trade up for Ashton Jeanty. If they don’t, they address the trenches and take a tackle in Banks Jr.
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: A key factor of new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s success as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator was having a dominant offensive line.
Seth Quinn, Newsweek
Pick: Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou
Comment: The Bears continue to add to their offensive line. This pick seems similar to when the Lions took Penei Sewell, head coach Ben Johnson’s former team, early in the draft and slotted him at right tackle, where he has been a stud ever since.
Rob Rang, Fox Sports
Pick: Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham
Comment: Graham is among the safer prospects in this class, but his lack of eye-popping athleticism and the depth of this year’s defensive tackle class could push him down the board slightly. Because of its proactivity in filling needs through free agency, Chicago is perfectly positioned to take the best available player.
Michael Renner, CBS Sports
Pick: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren
Comment: Warren is a mismatch weapon in the Bears offense that can pair in Ben Johnson’s famous two tight end sets with Cole Kmet. His ability to win consistently underneath from the slot could make him Caleb Williams’ best friend.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Pick: Missouri tackle Armand Membou
Comment: Membou’s tenacity as a run blocker and pass protector will warm GM Ryan Poles’ heart as a former offensive lineman.
Connor Rogers, NBC Sports
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty
Comment: Jeanty is simply one of the best players in this draft and a one-man game wrecker for any offense. This allows Ben Johnson to develop a strong run game in Chicago, making life easier for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Peter Schrager, ESPN
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 14 via trade with Colts
Comment: Banks could end up going before Membou as the top tackle in this class. He has the better tape and is more consistent. If the Bears trade back and still get him, that’s a major win.
Chris Simms, NBC Sports
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 5 via trade with Jaguars
Comment: Let’s get crazy. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson was part of a Lions team that selected star Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in 2023, so he gets aggressive in getting one of the best running back prospects in recent memory. Chicago gives up pick Nos. 10, 39 and 148 to move up five spots to take Ashton Jeanty.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Pick: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 4 via trade with Patriots
Comment: Here, the Patriots are happy to move back with the aggressive Bears who are after a Jahmyr Gibbs-type explosive runner for new head coach Ben Johnson.
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune
Pick: Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Comment: There may not be a parade downtown on Thursday night if the Bears take Banks. But there will be confidence inside Halas Hall that this spring’s efforts to fortify the entire offensive line in front of Caleb Williams have been an undeniable success.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Pick: Marshall edge rusher Mike Green
Comment: I would have loved an offensive tackle here but three are already off the board, so I took one of the most explosive edge rushers in this class, Mike Green.
