Ashton Jeanty? What will Bears do with No. 10 pick?

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Chicago Bears entered free agency with two main objectives: Improve the pass protection around quarterback Caleb Williams, who was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie; and find more players to get after opposing QBs.

Through two trades and a series of aggressive moves during the first wave of free agency, the Bears flipped the interior of the offensive line with a unit that will feature three new starters: Left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson. Chicago added a promising defensive lineman in Dayo Odeyingbo, whose age (25) and positional flexibility should be an upgrade for a defense whose pass rush win rate (36.5%) ranked 24th, and signed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to help generate pressure from the interior so Chicago’s edge rushers can get home.

The Bears spent $140.2 million in free agency and accomplished several goals before the team’s first OTA next month. These five marquee additions — along with signing slot receiver Olamide Zaccheaus — have the front office and coaching staff in a favorable spot as they mull over how to adjust their strategy for the draft.

“This really opens the whole board for us,” general manager Ryan Poles said. “We’re going to be able to sit back and kind of look and say, ‘what’s the best thing to do for the Chicago Bears, and who’s the best player that can impact?’ We’ve got some tough decisions and a lot of film to watch between now and the draft.”

Chicago currently has seven draft picks, beginning with No. 10. With several paths to choose from, here’s how the Bears can use their first-round selection to further upgrade the roster.

The left tackle of the future

After dedicating so many resources to improving the offensive line in free agency, the Bears may not feel they have to use their first-round pick on a player who would need to start early in his career. That’s why looking to draft a franchise left tackle may be in play at No. 10.

Coming off a season-ending left ankle fracture, Braxton Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract after starting the last three seasons at left tackle. Chicago’s 2024 third-round pick, Kiran Amegadjie, saw limited action as a rookie (119 snaps at left tackle) but could be in line for a bigger role.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected two tackle prospects to the Bears in his first two mock drafts: LSU’s Will Campbell and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons. If either prospect (or Missouri’s Armand Membou) finds his way to Chicago at No. 10, left tackle becomes the biggest position competition in training camp.

This wouldn’t be a move made out of necessity. It’s one that considers the long-term view of the Bears’ entire offensive line with Jones and Thuney set to become free agents after the 2025 season and the prospect of adding high-end depth in the short term.

Just one more pass rusher

Poles’ philosophy for building a defensive line may hint at where Chicago is leaning with the No. 10 pick.

“We all watched the Super Bowl, right?” Poles said. “You want to have waves of pass rushers.”

Chicago added to the interior of the D-line with Jarrett and was intrigued by Odeyingbo’s “disruptive” ability playing both inside and outside, according to Poles. But just because the Bears signed a presumptive starter opposite defensive end Montez Sweat, don’t rule out another pass rush addition in the first round.

Kiper has the Bears drafting Georgia outside linebacker Mykel Williams at No. 10. Williams missed games with an ankle injury in 2024 but still totaled five sacks and 20 tackles (15 solo). His strength is as a run defender, an area Chicago needs to improve after ranking 29th in yards per attempt allowed (4.9).

The strength of the first round appears to be up front on defense. Kiper has nine defensive linemen or outside linebackers off the board in the first round.

While Poles was comfortable with where the pass rush stood after free agency, he didn’t rule out future additions.

“You can’t have enough pass rushers,” Poles said on March 13. “We’re always looking to add and improve that group, but I feel good about where we are today.”