Out of all of these options I prefer Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and T.J. Parker the most. Unfortunately this draft isn’t very good, the value will be in day 2. There aren’t many options at 25 that you truly feel good about.
Obviously, if they trade out this whole thread becomes obsolete. They could also take a player from a position that isn’t a need. Could they go WR? Perhaps Omar Cooper Jr. to fill the D.J. Moore role. Maybe a guard? Chase Bisontis or Emmanuel Pregnon are two players who could start week 1.
Overall, I would prefer to trade down but we know that takes two to tango.
If they stay at 25, I predict they will take one of these players:
C Hood (CB)
A Terrell (CB)
J McCoy (CB)
B Miller (OT)
M Iheanachor (OT)
M Freeling (OT)
T Parker (EDGE)
M Lawrence (EDGE)
E McNeil-Warren (S)
P Woods (DT)
Malachi Lawrence from UCF was productive and has a good mix of size and speed. He probably needs a year to develop.
They have a few different options at EDGE, but all come with drawbacks (otherwise they would be going top ten).
T.J. Parker has the frame the Bears love. His production fell last season after double digit sacks in 2024. I would expect him to be high on their draft board.
Ahkeem Mesidor had awesome college production but has a weird frame and is already 25 years old.
EDGE is the most likely option IMO. I see four realistic options at 25. Keldric Faulk from Auburn has the frame and size but not the production. Probably a run defender early on with the hopes to develop as a pass rusher in years 2 and 3.
Zion Young tested horribly, I doubt they go that direction.
Monroe Freeling is a massive and long tackle, somewhat similar to Ozzy Trapilo.
No thanks on Kadyn Proctor. He doesn’t play like a guy of his size should.
The tackle class falls off after round 1. So if they are going to take one to compete at LT, they’d better take him at 25.
There will be a bunch of OT’s taken on Thursday night. Could the Bears jump in on that action? Considering they signed Wills and Braxton, I think it’s unlikely but the options may be available.
Blake Miller is a decent and experienced option, Max Iheanachor has absurd athleticism and size.
The three positions I think are most likely are Safety, Edge, and OT.
At safety, Downs and Theineman are likely long gone by 25. But I love Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo and how he fits Dennis Allen’s defense. If he is there at 25, I’m confident the Bears will consider him.
DT also seems to be less likely as draft day approaches. Peter Woods is falling, Caleb Banks has major injury concerns, Lee Hunter and Kayden McDonald are pure nose tackles.
It’s possible no DT’s go 1st round. I’d be surprised if the Bears go that direction, if they do I think it will be Woods.
CB is possible, but also unlikely. Could Jermod McCoy fall to 25? Maybe with his injury concerns, but do the Bears want to take an injured corner given their CB room was ravished by injuries last season?
Do they take Colton Hood, Aveion Terrell, or Chris Johnson? Of those three I would take Hood.
Who should the Bears take if they stay at 25?
Going off needs, the Bears biggest needs at this point are DT, EDGE, S, CB, LB, and OT.
I think LB is the least likely. Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) and C.J. Allen (Georgia) are quality prospects, but it’s a bit too rich at 25 to select either of them.
I’ll have plenty more to say about the draft this week. It’s kind of a weird one.
Only three of these guys I have listed here will go first round.
Since it is NFL draft week, here are my draft crushes for 2026.
How are teams still not intentionally walking Nico in those situations? That game was over the second Kimbrel started his motion.
It’s truly incredible just how evil and dystopian Palantir is. They are like something out of fiction.
People like to bring up how umpires must hate ABS because of how many calls get challenged. But it also cuts down on arguing from players, fans, and from the dugouts.
You will also have less close games impacted by bad calls. Umpires should love this change.
Lick the boot forever, or shut up!
It’s insane how conservatives still vilify people like Jane Fonda and the Dixie Chicks.
History has proven them correct, even conservatives mostly admit Vietnam and the wars in the Middle East were complete failures. So why the prolonged hatred?
It’s almost as if they hate questioning authority.
With one week until the NFL draft, here is how I evaluate each position group as a whole.
Strong: TE, C, S, LB
Mid: OT, OG, WR, EDGE, DT, CB
Weak: QB, RB
Actually, it’s Shatt Maw
Two massive end-of-game AB’s with RISP for Alex Bregman in two days, both end with weak pop ups.
Bregman and Happ have to find a way to cash in there.
That’s what you get when you walk and hit a batter on a day like today.
2nd & 3rd with no outs and you get three weak pop ups by Shaw, Bregman, and Seiya.
The Cubs have the worst luck when it comes to young exciting starters. This organization has been terrible at developing young pitchers in their farm.
When they actually do it, inevitably it goes the way of Mark Prior.
The Cubs are not winning a World Series without Cade Horton.
Just a crushing loss this early in the season. This is two consecutive seasons where the Cubs have lost their best starter to injury in April.
The Cubs may have starting depth, but Horton and Cabrera were the only ones with ACE upside.
Good luck to whichever executives are next. They will have very little to work with. Expect the Bulls to be very bad the next few years, but at least fans will have a better sense of the direction the franchise is in.
