GM Ryan Poles has done a tremendous job loading up his roster with high-end talent over the past calendar year. That includes three 1st round picks: Darnell Wright, Caleb Williams, and Rome Odunze. All are top 10 selections, too. If they live up to most of their potential, the Chicago Bears will become a really good team in the near future. Yet the benefits don't end there. Poles also has eight picks waiting in 2025, including three in the first two rounds. That presents another significant opportunity to push this team toward a possible Super Bowl run.
While the 2024 draft is over, eyes have already turned to what could happen next year. ESPN's Jordan Reid decided to do a quick mock draft for 2025, predicting where certain teams will select and who they could target. He has the Bears picking 15th, which means they will have improved their record from last season, but not enough to make the playoffs. As for their target? It isn't much of a mystery. After ignoring a top pass rusher this past April, they make sure to go after one next time.
Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State*
Jared Verse was the headliner of the Seminoles' defensive front last season, but Payton was impossible to ignore opposite him on tape. The toolsy edge rusher is still trying to put it all together, but his game slowly began to click last season, when he had 7 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and 39 pressures. Chicago added Austin Booker on Day 3, but it could still use someone like Payton to line up opposite Montez Sweat.
This wouldn't be a surprising move by the Chicago Bears.
They like bigger defensive linemen who are good athletes and have length. Payton is 6'5 with long arms and moves well. He's only 240 lbs, though. He needs to put on some weight before he is ready for the NFL. That shouldn't be an issue. Florida State has a growing reputation for producing quality defensive linemen in recent years. Jared Verse went in the 1st round this year. Jermaine Johnson went in 2022. Brian Burns went in 2019. It's proving a wise investment to draft FSU pass rushers.
As is always the case, so much is likely to change between now and then. Early 2024 mock drafts last year had the Chicago Bears taking guys like Cooper Beebe and J.T. Tuimoloau in the 1st round. Beebe ended up going in the 3rd round last month, while Tuimoloau stayed at Ohio State for another year. Payton could be a 1st round pick. He could also suffer an unexpected injury, have a down year production-wise, or not test well leading up to the draft. The Chicago Bears likely know who to watch for. He is one of them.
