Chicago Bears Reportedly "Praying" For Key Name To Fall To Them

The Chicago Bears can't control the top of the draft as they have in the past two years. That is the nature of the beast. Sooner or later, they would fall back into territory where they'd need help from other teams to land certain players they want. Luck was with them in 2024 when Rome Odunze slipped through the cracks to reach them at the 9th overall pick. Now they are in almost the exact same position as before, and by the sound of things, there is one player in this class they're begging the football gods to send their way.

Adam Schefter of ESPN released a comprehensive column on Monday with loads of details about what he's been hearing ahead of the draft. Much of it centered around the quarterback situation and what happens at the top. However, he did have one notable Bears nugget.

There are multiple personnel people who believe the Bears are praying that Jeanty slips to them at No. 10. They think new Bears coach Ben Johnson could feature Jeanty and D'Andre Swift as a two-headed duo the way the Lions did with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs when Johnson was Detroit's offensive coordinator.

This basically confirms the rumors that have been rumbling for weeks. Ashton Jeanty has been a star at Boise State over the past two years, carrying his program to the college football playoffs last year. With his versatile blend of skills, he's drawn comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson. No doubt Ben Johnson is drooling over the possibilities he brings.

Three teams feel like plausible Jeanty obstacles to the Chicago Bears.

First is the Jacksonville Jaguars at #5. They were 26th in rushing last season, and new head coach Liam Coen likes to run the ball. Next, and by far the biggest threat, are the Las Vegas Raiders at #6. Head coach Pete Carroll has long been a proponent of running the football. He almost certainly would see Jeanty as his next Marshawn Lynch. Las Vegas has to find a successor to Josh Jacobs, who they lost to free agency last year. Then there are the New Orleans Saints, who know they must start searching for a successor to the aging Alvin Kamara.

The odds aren't in the Chicago Bears' favor, especially with many seeing this draft as light on blue-chip talents. Jeanty is one of them. It only takes one team to realize that picking for need might not be the smart play. Just take the really good talent and be happy. It has happened plenty of times in the past. Would the Bears be willing to trade up? They have two 2nd round picks. Poles almost did it last year to grab Odunze. It depends on how badly Johnson wants Jeanty. Something to keep in mind with four days to go.