The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2025 NFL draft, where they'll have an important decision to make with the 10th overall pick.
While the offensive and defensive lines were the team's biggest weakness heading into the offseason, they addressed those in a big way with the additions of offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyiungbo.
General manager Ryan Poles was asked how the draft process has changed since the team's free agency moves, which shored up their biggest needs in the trenches, and his answer was quite telling.
"You’re looking at it multiple ways," Poles told reporters at the NFL Owners Meetings Tuesday. "One, it’s like short-term, long-term thinking. Two, it’s, you know, there’s certain positions, like the premium ones, where it’s not guaranteed you’re going to be in a spot to get one of those players. So, if we end up with a surplus, then let’s just figure it out after that and compete and the best guy wins. If someone, a young guy, has to wait, then he has to wait or other things could happen, where the guys that are currently in those spots get opportunities for other teams, so there is a lot of different options that could pop up."
The Bears certainly have flexibility when it comes to the No. 10 selection, but just because they addressed the offensive and defensive lines doesn't prevent them from going that direction in the draft, especially if that player is high on their board.
That could include someone like Will Campbell, who would be a slam dunk at 10th overall. Depending on where Chicago sees him -- be it left tackle, as he played at LSU, or slotting inside at guard -- Campbell could be the future at a position that doesn't have a long-term option.
Ultimately, it'll depend on how the board falls in the first round, where best player available could very well be the direction the Bears are headed -- regardless of position.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Ryan Poles on how draft approach has changed after free agency
