For the First Time in Years, the Bears Are Picking Late in Round 1 - and That Changes Everything
Ryan Poles has had the luxury of top-tier draft real estate since taking over as general manager of the Chicago Bears. From Darnell Wright to Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze to Colston Loveland, Poles has used premium picks to build a young core that’s reshaping the franchise.
But this spring, the board looks a little different. For the first time since 2011, the Bears are selecting outside the top 20 - sitting at No. 25 overall in the first round.
That’s a new challenge for Poles, who’s been operating with more margin for error at the top of the draft. At 25, the board is thinner, the room for missteps tighter, and the decisions more nuanced. When you’re picking that late, you’re not just grabbing the best talent - you’re threading the needle between upside, fit, and long-term development.
History Says This Spot Can Be a Minefield
It’s worth remembering that past Bears GMs haven’t exactly nailed these late-first-round picks. Jerry Angelo’s selections in the 20s and 30s - names like Marc Colombo, Rex Grossman, and Gabe Carimi - didn’t exactly pan out the way the team hoped. Phil Emery hit on Kyle Long, but also spent a first-rounder on Shea McClellin, a pick that still leaves fans scratching their heads.
That’s the danger zone Poles is entering now. But unlike some of his predecessors, he’s not flying blind.
Poles Comes From a Lineage That Knows This Terrain
Poles often points to two key mentors in his scouting career: Scott Pioli and John Dorsey. Both men cut their teeth making picks in this exact range - the back third of the first round - and their track records offer a blueprint for what works.
Pioli, during his time with the Patriots and Falcons, consistently found value in the 20s. Vince Wilfork at 21.
Logan Mankins at 32. Even players like Brandon Meriweather and Kaleb McGary became solid contributors.
Dorsey, meanwhile, helped build a powerhouse in Green Bay by nailing picks like Aaron Rodgers (24), Clay Matthews (26), and Bryan Bulaga (23). Not every pick was a hit - there were misses like Ahmad Carroll and Derek Sherrod - but the overall success rate was strong, especially at two premium positions: edge rusher and offensive tackle.
In fact, out of 19 picks made by Pioli and Dorsey in that 20-32 range, eight were either edge rushers or offensive tackles. Wide receivers came in next with three.
That pattern matters. It tells us what positions tend to offer the best value late in the first - and where the Bears might be looking come April.
The Bears’ Needs Align with Historical Trends
Here’s the good news: Chicago doesn’t need a wide receiver. With Odunze, DJ Moore, and Keenan Allen in the fold, that room is stacked.
But edge rusher and offensive tackle? Those are still areas where the Bears could use reinforcements.
Given the way the draft board is shaping up, there’s a strong chance one of those positions ends up being the pick at 25.
One name that’s started to gain steam is Missouri’s Zion Young. He’s a long, explosive edge rusher who turned heads at the Senior Bowl and has the kind of traits that defensive coordinators love to mold. His combination of length, power, and polished hand usage makes him a fit in just about any scheme - including the one Chicago’s building under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Another option could be Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, who helped lead his team to the national championship game and brings versatility off the edge. On the offensive line, Utah’s Caleb Lomu and Georgia’s Monroe Freeling are both athletic tackles with strong pass protection tools - and both are expected to be in the mix around the Bears’ pick.
It’s a Collaborative Call - and That Matters
One wrinkle in this year’s draft process: the final call won’t rest solely with Poles. Ben Johnson, the newly hired head coach, has been given final say on major roster decisions. That means any first-round pick will need Johnson’s stamp of approval.
But don’t expect a tug-of-war here. Johnson knows the value of protecting a young quarterback - and getting after the other team’s. Whether it’s a tackle to keep Caleb Williams upright or a pass rusher to disrupt opposing offenses, the logic aligns with what both Poles and Johnson are trying to build.
The Board Will Dictate the Move
At the end of the day, it all comes down to who’s still on the board when the Bears are on the clock. Poles is known for zeroing in on “his guy” - someone who checks the boxes not just athletically, but culturally and schematically.
But picking at 25 means being ready to pivot. The top edge rusher or tackle on your board might already be gone.
That’s where the preparation, the scouting, and the trust between the front office and coaching staff come into play.
This is a different kind of draft for Ryan Poles - one that demands patience, precision, and a little bit of projection. But with the foundation he’s already laid and the mentors he’s learned from, the Bears are entering this new phase of roster building with a clear plan. And if history is any indication, the 25th pick could still deliver a difference-maker.