The most accurate draft predictions often occur two or three days before the draft begins. That is when teams have set their boards and have a plan of action. All try to prevent leaks, but it's rarely successful. This isn't the CIA. People talk. One person who tends to get some of the most accurate information each year is Peter Schrager. The former NFL Network insider, now working for ESPN, released his only mock draft on Wednesday. He had a few surprises in it, including what the Chicago Bears do at 10th overall.
Things started as most expected, with the top four picks going Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, and Will Campbell in that order. The shift took place at #5, where the Jacksonville Jaguars opted to take running back Ashton Jeanty. The other projected Bears target, Tyler Warren, went #7 to the Jets. Once the order reached Chicago, their decision seemed clear. Schrager believes GM Ryan Poles swings a trade with a friend and former colleague, Chris Ballard in Indianapolis, to swap picks. Chicago gets a 3rd rounder while the Colts come up for the other top tight end in the class.
Remember, Schrager is basing this mock draft on information from league sources.
As always, this isn't what I would do if I were the general manager for every team -- it's how I'd sort through the top 32 picks based on what I'm hearing from my sources around the league...
...10. Indianapolis Colts (via projected trade with CHI)
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Ballard & Co. get a 6-foot-6 tight end who has many teams enchanted ahead of Round 1. This pick would be about instant offense for a team that needs it...
...14. Chicago Bears (via projected trade with IND)
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Banks could end up going before Membou as the top tackle in this class. He has the better tape and is more consistent. If the Bears trade back and still get him, that's a major win.
It's smart to trust Schrager with this Chicago Bears prediction.
While it may not happen exactly that way, it does point to two things. The Bears are interested in moving down from #10, not up, as many keep suggesting. Also, if they can't land Jeanty, they are focused on adding a left tackle to finish their rebuild of the offensive line. Schrager is as accurate as they get. Last year, he nailed several key moments that unfolded in the 2024 draft. He correctly predicted that J.J. McCarthy would go to Minnesota and Bo Nix would go to Denver. He even pinpointed a team trading into the bottom of the 1st round for wide receiver Xavier Legette. Both Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze were correctly predicted as well.
It makes sense that the Chicago Bears would want to trade down. After multiple trades over the past couple of months, they're a bit light on picks. Recouping some of them to move down a few spots in a draft that is light on star power makes sense. Indianapolis badly needs a tight en,d and they risk losing out on Coleston if they don't move. Ballard is desperate to salvage young quarterback Anthony Richardson. That requires playmakers. Meanwhile, Banks is the most experienced left tackle in this draft and has plenty of room to keep growing.
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