By now, Chicago Bears fans are well-acquainted with the prominent names for the 10th overall pick in next month's NFL draft. Ashton Jeanty, Will Campbell, Tyler Warren, Armand Membou, and Mykel Williams feels like the likeliest options GM Ryan Poles will choose from once they're on the clock. That might not be the wisest decision. If there is one thing we've learned about him over the past three years, it's that Poles may not have the same lineup of players high on his board as the media does.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic made sure to point this out in his recent column. Poles shocked many by taking Darnell Wright in 2023, who was projected to go no higher than the middle of the 1st round. In a draft light on genuine blue-chip prospects, the same could happen again in 2025. Jahns listed four names he believes are legitimately in play for the Bears at #10 that haven't been talked about.
The guys we need to talk more about
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole MissTwo years ago, Wright was considered a late first-round pick. The Bears, though, viewed him as a better prospect than that. It’s an example of how outside evaluations can be very different from those working inside an NFL building. The later you get in the draft, the more variance there will be on players.
The Chicago Bears aren't operating under the old parameters.
Remember, this isn't the Matt Eberflus regime anymore. Ben Johnson and his staff are running the show now. What they prioritize in players, and more importantly, what they deem acceptable from a character point of view, is wildly different. Nolen is on the same tier as Michigan's Mason Graham as an interior pass rusher. The core issue is concerns about his overall motivation. This has followed him since high school. Teams don't like spending top 10 picks on guys who aren't 100% committed to the game.
Harmon has no such issues. He is big, strong, and runs with a hot motor. The question with him is his upside as a pass rusher. He'll be a stout run defender, but some worry about his ability to rack up pressures. Johnson is a terrific cover corner, but that isn't a pressing need for the Chicago Bears. Banks is probably the most intriguing name, given he's one of the most experienced left tackles in the class. Chicago needs one. Though a standout run blocker, the Texas product can be leaky at times in pass protection.
