2025 Mock Draft Thread

[adam]

It is mock draft season again lol. After all of last year's intrigue with 2x first rounders, now the Bears go into the draft with 2x 2nd rounders. This basically assures them of having a chance to get 3-4x Day One starters. Using the PFF Mock Simulator, after going thru it a few times, this scenario seems possible based on the current player grades:

 9. Will Campbell, OT (replaces Jones)
36. Trey Amos, CB (replaces Stevenson)
41. T.J. Sanders, DT (pair with Dexter and Billings)
73. Jalen Royals, WR (WR3 assuming Allen does not return)
145. Luke Kandra, OG (new LG or RG)
201. Andrew Mukuba, S (Brisker insurance)

The only thing missing is Edge. What do you think?

[Stinger226]

I like yor draft but taking a CB with your second pick when we need bodies in the trenches doesnt seem to fit at all. I've seen some with a RB in the 2nd and that makes more sense than a CB. I also seen one that took a TE in the 2nd. OH boy some silly people out there.

[adam]

3 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I like yor draft but taking a CB with your second pick when we need bodies in the trenches doesnt seem to fit at all. I've seen some with a RB in the 2nd and that makes more sense than a CB. I also seen one that took a TE in the 2nd. OH boy some silly people out there.

Yeah it was just the way the draft fell, I didn't want a CB there, he just happened to be there as the highest-rated player. 

[Stinger226]

29.

Walter NolenDT Ole Miss

36.

Wyatt MilumOG West Virginia

41.

Princely UmanmielenEDGE Ole Miss

49.

Kaleb JohnsonRB Iowa

60.

Tate RatledgeOG Georgia

61.

Kevin Winston Jr.S Penn State

73.

Josh SimmonsOT Ohio State

81.

Tory HortonWR Colorado State

201.

Jake MajorsOC Texas

227.

Myles PurchaseCB Iowa State

I used ProFootball Network, draft simulator,  their players values are off , 7 0f this picks are in Draft Buzz top 50.

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

29.

Walter NolenDT Ole Miss

36.

Wyatt MilumOG West Virginia

41.

Princely UmanmielenEDGE Ole Miss

49.

Kaleb JohnsonRB Iowa

60.

Tate RatledgeOG Georgia

61.

Kevin Winston Jr.S Penn State

73.

Josh SimmonsOT Ohio State

81.

Tory HortonWR Colorado State

201.

Jake MajorsOC Texas

227.

Myles PurchaseCB Iowa State

I used ProFootball Network, draft simulator,  their players values are off , 7 0f this picks are in Draft Buzz top 50.

I dont know the players yet to have an opinion, but the trade down was certainly godly, and the positions you covered were good. Like you said, I dunno if youd have the priviledge to take a DT first and still fix your OL and EDGE. You did it here. If you could do it in reality, I'd fire Poles right now.

[Stinger226]

I have been looking at a lot of draft sites (because) we are losers. I just see names and dont really know depth of talent but mainly try to address positions. At each spot to take a player, instead of getting a OT first was player rated value. Example: 3rd rated DT instead of 6th rated OT, somethng like that. Trading back was just how a simulator introduced it. 

[BearFan PHX]

4 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I have been looking at a lot of draft sites (because) we are losers. I just see names and dont really know depth of talent but mainly try to address positions. At each spot to take a player, instead of getting a OT first was player rated value. Example: 3rd rated DT instead of 6th rated OT, somethng like that. Trading back was just how a simulator introduced it. 

right, thats how I took it too. Maybe in a few months I'll be arguing "this guy is terrible" or "what a value to get that guy so low" but right now theyre just positions to me, and with legendary trade downs (all these draft games let you do that more than is probably likely) you end up with a ton of players at positions of need and it looks really good.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

4 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

right, thats how I took it too. Maybe in a few months I'll be arguing "this guy is terrible" or "what a value to get that guy so low" but right now theyre just positions to me, and with legendary trade downs (all these draft games let you do that more than is probably likely) you end up with a ton of players at positions of need and it looks really good.

I think draftbuzz is one of the best sites to read about a player. They do a good job giving strengths and weaknesses and the guys I fall in love with start off in the 5th 6th round and end up 1-3rd round. 

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I think draftbuzz is one of the best sites to read about a player. They do a good job giving strengths and weaknesses and the guys I fall in love with start off in the 5th 6th round and end up 1-3rd round. 

Ill check it out, thank you. I dont usually start draft stuff until after the superbowl, but thats a good place to look.

[AZ54]

That's really the challenge with PFF's mock site:  Their player rankings are usually way off.  Nonetheless I'll run a hundred mocks there anyway because it gives me names in rounds and from there I do my research on the players.  I am seriously considering taking Ashton Jeanty with our first pick.   I'm old and I've seen hundreds if not thousands of NFL RBs.  This kid is just different.   I've seen enough over the years from Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, to the modern era with Saquon Barkley (who was the last RB that was "different") and what they did for their teams.  If Mason Graham drops he's my guy and I like the LTs.  Nothing will benefit Caleb more than a good running game.  

[Mongo3451]

6 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

That's really the challenge with PFF's mock site:  Their player rankings are usually way off.  Nonetheless I'll run a hundred mocks there anyway because it gives me names in rounds and from there I do my research on the players.  I am seriously considering taking Ashton Jeanty with our first pick.   I'm old and I've seen hundreds if not thousands of NFL RBs.  This kid is just different.   I've seen enough over the years from Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, to the modern era with Saquon Barkley (who was the last RB that was "different") and what they did for their teams.  If Mason Graham drops he's my guy and I like the LTs.  Nothing will benefit Caleb more than a good running game.  

He's different.  Marshawn Lynch's contact balance with speed.

[Stinger226]

11 hours ago, AZ54 said:

That's really the challenge with PFF's mock site:  Their player rankings are usually way off.  Nonetheless I'll run a hundred mocks there anyway because it gives me names in rounds and from there I do my research on the players.  I am seriously considering taking Ashton Jeanty with our first pick.   I'm old and I've seen hundreds if not thousands of NFL RBs.  This kid is just different.   I've seen enough over the years from Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, to the modern era with Saquon Barkley (who was the last RB that was "different") and what they did for their teams.  If Mason Graham drops he's my guy and I like the LTs.  Nothing will benefit Caleb more than a good running game.  

I agree how well teams play when they have good running games. You cant really use it in a box thou, it's many factors that affect outcome. We are within 100 yds of Chiefs, Chargers,Texans and Viking yet they are all more balanced teams and we arent very good. A better running game would have been huge for the development of Caleb this year. Also good defensive play adds to winning. I think Jeanty would have huge impact on our team, but if you dont fix the OL, that will be limited. He may be enough of a want that other teams may trade up to get him putting us in a better position to fix the trenches. Lat year picking Odunze  at 9 will have great future results but not that great in his first year. Had we pickes a OL there , Im not sure it would have had a great immediate effect but could be huge in the second yr. The handful of OL picked right after us hasnt been overwelming but later picks like Zach Frazier, Puni have shined. . If we can add several OL and DL in free agency, then that would be a great option. Our next coach will value the running as well as defense if he wants to have an immsdiate impact in wins and put Caleb in a better place to be successful.

[AZ54]

2 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I agree how well teams play when they have good running games. You cant really use it in a box thou, it's many factors that affect outcome. We are within 100 yds of Chiefs, Chargers,Texans and Viking yet they are all more balanced teams and we arent very good. A better running game would have been huge for the development of Caleb this year. Also good defensive play adds to winning. I think Jeanty would have huge impact on our team, but if you dont fix the OL, that will be limited. He may be enough of a want that other teams may trade up to get him putting us in a better position to fix the trenches. Lat year picking Odunze  at 9 will have great future results but not that great in his first year. Had we pickes a OL there , Im not sure it would have had a great immediate effect but could be huge in the second yr. The handful of OL picked right after us hasnt been overwelming but later picks like Zach Frazier, Puni have shined. . If we can add several OL and DL in free agency, then that would be a great option. Our next coach will value the running as well as defense if he wants to have an immsdiate impact in wins and put Caleb in a better place to be successful.

Never said I wasn't going to fix the Oline.  In my fantasy GM world I'll have $90mil to spend this offseason and I'm not bringing back Keenan Allen.  I've seen Jeanty just blow through so many tackles where plays weren't blocked up perfectly.  When the blocking is good you are going to get some big chunk plays.  Plus he can catch out of the backfield...he's that guy you'd take in any 1:1 situation and a perfect safety valve for Caleb.  I can still draft a good DE and DT prospect in Rd 2 and a Center in Rd 3.   I can fix IOL in FA.   That does leave concern at LT but Braxton is actually a good run blocker, Jeanty and an OC making better use of play action will help reduce the edge pressure.   

[Stinger226]

22 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Never said I wasn't going to fix the Oline.  In my fantasy GM world I'll have $90mil to spend this offseason and I'm not bringing back Keenan Allen.  I've seen Jeanty just blow through so many tackles where plays weren't blocked up perfectly.  When the blocking is good you are going to get some big chunk plays.  Plus he can catch out of the backfield...he's that guy you'd take in any 1:1 situation and a perfect safety valve for Caleb.  I can still draft a good DE and DT prospect in Rd 2 and a Center in Rd 3.   I can fix IOL in FA.   That does leave concern at LT but Braxton is actually a good run blocker, Jeanty and an OC making better use of play action will help reduce the edge pressure.   

I fully see where that scenario could happen. Everything would be predicated on what we do in Fagency. If we get Trey Smith and another vet, it may cure our woes on the line. If we upgrade a few positions we could live with Shelton at OC. There is no highly rated centers in the draft that are predicted to start day one. I would not complain of that at all. If we get a Vrabel or vet coach, I could see a great Rb as a high option.

[jason]

I’ve done next to no research this year. This is my first mock and I just went with availability.

Formula for success: OL, DL, ad nauseum until fixed. Stick to big schools. Prioritize schools that are winning. 

I think 4-5 of these guys start in 2025. 

[BearFan PHX]

42 minutes ago, jason said:

I’ve done next to no research this year. This is my first mock and I just went with availability.

Formula for success: OL, DL, ad nauseum until fixed. Stick to big schools. Prioritize schools that are winning. 

I think 4-5 of these guys start in 2025. 

without knowing any of the players specifically, this seems right to me.

[jason]

On 12/20/2024 at 7:06 AM, AZ54 said:

Never said I wasn't going to fix the Oline.  In my fantasy GM world I'll have $90mil to spend this offseason and I'm not bringing back Keenan Allen.  I've seen Jeanty just blow through so many tackles where plays weren't blocked up perfectly.  When the blocking is good you are going to get some big chunk plays.  Plus he can catch out of the backfield...he's that guy you'd take in any 1:1 situation and a perfect safety valve for Caleb.  I can still draft a good DE and DT prospect in Rd 2 and a Center in Rd 3.   I can fix IOL in FA.   That does leave concern at LT but Braxton is actually a good run blocker, Jeanty and an OC making better use of play action will help reduce the edge pressure.   

I just can’t justify burning a first on Jeanty considering Swift’s contract, and the other, obvious holes on the team. This team needs huge help on both lines. Until the lines are fixed, the other players considered skill players on each side of the ball can’t fulfill their maximum potential.

[Mongo3451]

Here's mine.  I don't think we'll take three OL, but the trade and draft fell really well.  Names will rise and fall over the next several months, but something similar can play out. 

[AZ54]

2 hours ago, jason said:

I just can’t justify burning a first on Jeanty considering Swift’s contract, and the other, obvious holes on the team. This team needs huge help on both lines. Until the lines are fixed, the other players considered skill players on each side of the ball can’t fulfill their maximum potential.

I hear that and I wouldn't be against drafting an elite LT with our first pick but there is the talent to consider when defining strategy.  Of course you could say this should make us more conducive to a trade down if it's available.  Or grab the DT but the only one I really like (so far) is Mason Graham.  There is a lot more in the article but I'm not a paid subscriber.  Even without that, if you hit the link you can get more details on the OTs but Thorn doesn't seem to have any of them as true blue chip talents.  I still feel like if you have a chance to get a true blue chip player, unless you already have one at that position, then you take them.   

https://trenchwarfare.substack.com/p/2025-offensive-line-class-overview

"The 2025 O-Line class was initially perceived as much worse than last year’s. That’s still largely a factual statement, but it’s worth noting that last year’s class was historically loaded, especially at tackle and center. Seven tackles were drafted in round one alone (the most in 12+ years) and nine total linemen went in the first round, tying the 2022 and 2013 classes for the most since at least 2012. Last year’s class saw 25 total linemen drafted in the first three rounds alone, which is another high over that more than a decade long time span.

This upcoming class is emphatically less talented than 2024, but there are still several projected year one starters. Most of this starting talent is concentrated at guard. There are only a few true guards that I see as early starters right now (Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Georgia’s Tate Ratledge), but the ceiling of the guard class as a whole is raised thanks to many of the best tackle prospects having a viable and familiar pathway into the well-stocked ‘very good college tackle-to-pro guard’ pipeline (LSU’s Will Campbell, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr., West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum, Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea and more).

This isn’t to say that the tackle class is completely void of round one talent because that isn’t true either. All of the prior names could feasibly get a crack at a tackle spot, even if their ceilings are higher inside. My top-graded true tackles all could hear their names called in round one (Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., Missouri’s Armand Membou).

Skepticism starts to creep in when examining the projected center class. I only have three players with a grade inside the first three rounds and none in round one. This is a little easier to stomach given the depth of last year’s center class (six rookie centers are currently starting for teams, and five have 10 or more starts)."