CHICAGO — There’s confidence at Halas Hall that a busy offseason switching out the coaching staff and adding talent via trades and free agency has produced a better roster as the Chicago Bears prepare for their second season with quarterback Caleb Williams.
The most significant personnel upgrades are on the interior of the offensive line, where center Drew Dalman and guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson should create a better pocket for Williams. The Bears spent big adding to the defensive line, as well, with end Dayo Odeyingbo and tackle Grady Jarrett.
Complementary additions such as wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay and Miles Boykin, tight end Durham Smythe and cornerbacks Shaun Wade and Nick McCloud have filled in some depth, leading general manager Ryan Poles to feel like the Bears can lean toward the best player available in the draft.
That’s the goal every team has — to get the best player on its board and not be pigeonholed into drafting for need. There’s a balance that comes with that, and ties can be broken based on the depth chart.
New coach Ben Johnson comes from Detroit, where the Lions didn’t ignite their high-powered offense until the offensive line was set with a series of strong draft picks. That — and the Bears’ tenuous situation at left tackle with Braxton Jones coming off ankle surgery and 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie an unproven commodity — is not overlooked in this mock draft 2.0.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Titans canceled a private workout with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, signaling they’re all-in on Ward, provided another team doesn’t come along with a bounty of draft picks to make a trade.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The Browns can have a spirited discussion about using the pick on Carter or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They know the exploding market for edge rushers as well as any team, having just paid Myles Garrett. Carter would give them talented bookends on the defensive line.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Giants were set back in their rebuilding process after failing with quarterback Daniel Jones. If they’re not convinced Shedeur Sanders is the man to solve the QB dilemma — and they’ve added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — they have to go in a different direction. Hunter, Sanders’ college teammate, would help on both sides of the ball.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots were very active in free agency, restocking the defense for new coach Mike Vrabel. It’s imperative they provide help for impressive quarterback Drake Maye. Campbell has the kind of makeup that meshes with Vrabel, whether he winds up playing left tackle or kicking inside.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It’s a deep class for defensive tackles. Graham doesn’t bring down the quarterback a whole lot, but he does everything else really well. New GM James Gladstone also could go with an offensive lineman in this spot, and it’s worth wondering if the Jaguars would look to deal down.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Geno Smith never benefited from a consistently strong running game in Seattle. The Raiders should be able to pound the rock with Jeanty in an effort to balance the offense around their new quarterback.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Jets could use some playmakers for Justin Fields, but they have to solve problems up front and they won’t get things straightened out until they’re better in the trenches. Membou lacks the ideal height for a right tackle, and some teams are evaluating him as a guard. But he is athletic and could help immediately.
