The 2025 NFL draft is fast approaching, and the Chicago Bears will be welcoming a new crop of rookies to the fold under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago addressed the trenches in a big way during free agency, which included trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing center Drew Dalman, as well as signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
That gives the Bears a lot of flexibility when it comes to the No. 10 pick, where they can go best player available rather than drafting for need.
In a new mock draft from The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, Chicago does just that as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty falls to them at 10th overall, and Ben Johnson gets his playmaking running back.
Chicago strengthened its interior O-line this offseason, and a juiced-up running game should be a big help for last year’s top pick, Caleb Williams. With both Jeanty and UNC’s Omarion Hampton available, the Bears have their pick of who they want to team with D’Andre Swift to give new coach Ben Johnson a 1-2 punch similar to what he had in Detroit.
Jeanty is coming off a dazzling 2024 in which he rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 TDs to lead the Broncos to the Playoff and finish No. 2 in the Heisman race. He had 10 rushes of 60-plus yards and five of 70-plus. You have to go back to 2018 to find anyone who even had six of 60-plus.
Scouts have compared the 5-8, 211-pounder to LaDainian Tomlinson (for his all-around skill set), to Maurice Jones-Drew (Boise State OC Dirk Koetter coached both and saw the parallels) and to Alvin Kamara (because of his freakish ability to stay balanced).
In this scenario, the Las Vegas Raiders, who have been linked to Jeanty, go edge rusher while top offensive linemen Will Campbell and Armand Membou are already off the board. If Jeanty really is the guy for Chicago, this is the ideal scenario.
Jeanty was one of college football's biggest playmakers last season, finishing second in Heisman voting behind Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. In 2024, Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards, averaging 7.0 yards per carry, and 29 touchdowns. He added 23 receptions for 138 yards and a score.
The Bears have made it known that they're looking to add to the running back room this offseason, so it helps that this is a deep running back class. But Jeanty is the cream of the crop, and he could be a home-run selection for Chicago at 10th overall.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Bears land playmaker for Ben Johnson at No. 10
