Ryan Poles has made it a point to do everything he can to accommodate the coaching staff in every draft decision since he took over in 2022. That said, every Chicago Bears GM seems to have that moment where they decide to circumvent everything to get a guy they love. Phil Emery did it with Shea McClellin in 2012. Ryan Pace did it with Mitch Trubisky in 2017. Poles hasn't done it to any glaring degree yet in the past three years on the job. Could that change in 2025?
I looked through the scenarios that could unfold at #10 in less than two weeks. Almost none of them stood out as situations that could constitute Poles pulling a true shocker. With one exception.
That is Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
Everybody will say the Bears don't need a cornerback. They have three proven starters in J: Jaylonson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson. Why bother with Johnson? For one, he's the best corner in the class and is widely viewed as a top-10 prospect. For another, Poles has a track record of targeting the position frequently. Gordon and Stevenson were both 2nd round picks. Terell Smith was a 5th round pick. This philosophy carries over from his time with Kansas City, where the Chiefs drafted corners almost every year, often high.
So why Johnson?
Ryan Poles loves big athletes.
Johnson is definitely that. He's drawn comparisons to Jaycee Horn and James Bradberry, two Pro Bowlers. His size and build allow him to bully receivers at the line of scrimmage. He couples this with tremendous instincts, posting nine interceptions in three seasons, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Some will nitpick his long speed. That is rarely an issue. He's got enough to handle any coverage required. Ryan Poles could easily fall in love with the idea of he and Jaylon locking down the boundaries with Gordon wreaking havoc at nickel.
One must not forget secondary coach Al Harris has thrived with corners like Johnson. See Trevon Diggs in Dallas. Poles may feel pressured to focus on the line of scrimmage for understandable reasons. That said, his clear love of stacking cornerbacks could lead him to go off-script for Johnson.
