The Chicago Bears may not have their draft board finalized just yet - and that’s perfectly normal for early February. GM Ryan Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson still have plenty on their plate: free agency decisions, both internal and external, plus the scouting combine and pro days that will shape the next few months. But even with all that still to come, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of where their focus might lie heading into the NFL Draft, particularly with the 25th overall pick in the first round.
Four positions stand out as primary areas of need: edge rusher, left tackle, defensive tackle, and safety. And while safety is certainly on the radar, the conversation right now is really heating up around the trenches - on both sides of the ball.
Edge Rusher: The Obvious Need?
It doesn’t take a film room deep dive to understand why edge rusher is getting so much attention. Montez Sweat was a force this past season, finishing with 10 sacks.
But after him? Production fell off a cliff.
No other Bear had more than four sacks. Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles.
Austin Booker flashed late in the year but remains more of a developmental piece than a sure thing. Dominique Robinson is headed to free agency.
So yes, the edge group needs help. Urgently. But narrowing the Bears’ draft focus to just that position might be a little too simplistic.
Don’t Sleep on Defensive Tackle
Veteran Grady Jarrett, who was brought in to anchor the interior, spent much of the year battling a knee injury and is now in his mid-30s. It’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank.
Gervon Dexter made progress, notching a career-best six sacks, but he hasn’t quite broken through as a dominant presence. Andrew Billings is a free agent, and Shemar Turner is recovering from a torn ACL.
So while edge may be the flashier need, the defensive tackle situation is just as unsettled - maybe even more so when you factor in health and contract status.
And here’s where things get interesting: new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. He’s been around the block, most notably with the Saints from 2015 to 2024.
During that stretch, New Orleans used first-round picks on both edge rushers and defensive tackles - two apiece. Allen doesn’t appear to favor one over the other.
He values the entire defensive line, and he’s going to push for upgrades across the board.
If the Bears are picking at No. 25, it may simply come down to who’s available - not which position is more pressing.
Draft Trends: What the Numbers Say
Since 2015, 25 defensive linemen have been selected between picks 20 and 30 - the same range the Bears will be drafting in. You’d think edge rushers would have the better hit rate, given how many are taken in that range. But the numbers tell a slightly different story.
Here’s the twist: while more edge rushers were drafted, a smaller percentage of them panned out. Defensive tackles, on the other hand, were selected less frequently but had a higher success rate overall.
Take a look at some of the notable names:
- Edge hits: Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, Montez Sweat, Gregory Rousseau, George Karlaftis
- DT hits: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Bryan Bresee
The takeaway? Defensive tackle may be a better bet in that late-first-round window - especially if the Bears want to maximize value and minimize risk.
A Little Bears Draft History
Chicago’s own track record in this range of the draft is limited but telling. They’ve taken a defensive lineman between picks 20 and 30 three times in the modern era:
- Dave Gallagher (DE, 1974) - One-and-done.
- William “The Refrigerator” Perry (DT, 1985) - A Chicago legend and a key piece of those dominant ‘80s defenses.
- Alonzo Spellman (DE, 1992) - Solid, though not spectacular, for a few seasons.
So, historically speaking, the Bears have hit 100% on defensive tackles in this range and 50% on edge rushers. Small sample size?
Sure. But it adds another layer to the conversation.
The Ben Johnson X-Factor
And then there’s Ben Johnson - the new head coach and a wild card in the best possible way.
Insiders have made it clear: Johnson has real influence in personnel decisions. He’s not just coaching the roster; he’s helping shape it. That matters, especially when you consider another glaring need: left tackle.
Ozzy Trapilo tore his patella and might miss part of the upcoming season. Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones are both free agents.
That’s a lot of uncertainty protecting the quarterback’s blind side. If a top-tier tackle is still on the board at No.
25, Johnson could absolutely pound the table to make that pick.
And if recent draft decisions are any indication, Johnson isn’t afraid to go against the grain. Last year, few expected the Bears to take a tight end at No. 10 - until Colston Loveland became the pick.
Same story with wide receiver Luther Burden. Johnson has brought a level of unpredictability to Halas Hall that makes forecasting this year’s pick a tricky business.
So, What Will the Bears Do at No. 25?
Edge rusher? Defensive tackle?
Left tackle? The Bears have legitimate needs at all three spots, and the draft board will ultimately dictate the direction.
But one thing is clear: Chicago can’t afford to lock themselves into one position this early.
Yes, the pass rush needs help. But the interior of the defensive line is just as shaky.
And the offensive line? Also in flux.
With Dennis Allen pushing for a complete defensive front and Ben Johnson holding sway over the draft room, the Bears are keeping their options open - and that’s exactly how it should be.
The only certainty right now? Whoever they take at No. 25 better be ready to contribute. Because this team is building something - and the next piece of the puzzle could come from anywhere in the trenches.