The first rookie class for Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson is an interesting one. There were surprises early with the pick of Tight End Colston Loveland and many moves made by General Manager Ryan Poles.
These are the thoughts and grades of each of the Bears 2025 draft picks from our Sports Editor Logan Sellers and Assistant Sports Editor Jacob Dachowski.
Round 1, Pick 10: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
This is a great pick by the Bears. Loveland is a great pass-catching tight end and is a good enough blocking tight end. He’ll be a great asset for young quarterback Caleb Williams as he can help pick up short yardage in the middle of the field. Loveland also excels at getting up to grab contested catches, standing at 6-foot-6. Loveland is also capable of lining up as a wide receiver and causing problems for opposing defensive backs.
There was some criticism that came with this pick since the Bears already have a good tight end in Cole Kmet. However Ben Johnson is known for running a lot of 12 personnel, one running back and two tight ends, which makes me think this was a Ben Johnson pick.
Dachowski’s Grade: A-
Round 2, Pick 39 (VIA CAR): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
I love this pick from Poles and his staff. Burden III was a first-round talent wideout who fell into their lap at No. 39. Burden III is the ideal slot receiver in this new and improved Bears offense. He’s speedy, with a 4.41s 40-yard dash, and was fantastic after the catch in college.
The fit and the value was there with this pick and if things pan out, Chicago’s offense will be a force in the 2025 season.
SELLERS’ GRADE: A+
Round 2, Pick 56 (VIA BUF): Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
Ozzy Trapilo is a large man, standing at 6-foot-8 and 316 pounds. He’ll help fill one of the bigger holes on the offensive line by competing for the left tackle position. Trapilo has a lot of experience having played in 44 games in his college career at both tackle spots.
Trapilo helps provide much-needed depth to the offensive line and can compete for a starting spot very soon if current Bears tackle Braxton Jones is inconsistent after his injury last season. However I do believe that this pick is a slight reach in the second round. But I still really like the pick.
Dachowski’s Grade: B+
Round 2, Pick 62 (VIA BUF): Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
The Bears finally addressed defense in the back half of the second round here with Turner. Turner was an aggressive player in college with a big motor. He’s also an explosive athlete on the defensive line.
Despite his high motor, Turner does lack some size for a DT at 290 pounds. Because of this, he struggled with double teams in college. But going into a DL room stacked with veterans like Chicago’s should prove well for his development. This is a great pick in the backend of round 2,
Sellers’s Grade: B+
Round 4, Pick 132 (VIA BUF): Ruben Hyppolite II, LB, Maryland
This was a surprising pick from Chicago in the fourth round. The potential is there with his level of athleticism. He could also compete for a spot as a starter with former LB Jack Sanborn leaving in the offseason.
However, I feel this was a big reach from Chicago. There were a lot of better players available in key positions of need for the team. And most analysts had Hyppolite II going undrafted or much later than the fourth round.
Dachowski’s Grade: C
Round 5, Pick 169 (VIA BUF): Zah Frazier, CB, Texas-San Antonio
Frazier is the ideal archetype at corner, 6-foot-3 and ran a 4.36 40-yard dash. He’s lanky and an elite athlete. He’s got some work to do in his coverage mechanics but has good instincts and can be sticky in man coverage.
His main downside is, despite being a senior, last season was his only starting season in college football. Despite this, he had great production and has the tools to be a solid depth corner in the NFL with starting upside if developed.
Sellers’ Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 195 (VIA LAR): Luke Newman, G, Michigan State
Newman is a great depth pickup late in the draft in the 6th round. The Bears spent a majority of their offseason heavily investing in the offensive line. However, I felt that they could have improved on the depth of those positions
Newman is very experienced, having started every game in his final four years in college. Throughout those years he played on both sides of the interior offensive line and even has some experience at center. While it is not a beautiful or headline pick it is one of those picks you need to make.
Dachowski’s Grade: B-
Round 7, Pick 233 (VIA CIN): Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
The Bears finally addressed the running back position with Monangai after trading up in the seventh round. He is a reliable runner with a strong lower body, resulting in great contact balance. He runs hard and has never lost a fumble in college. However, he does lack high-end speed.
Many thought Chicago would address RB in the early round, but this is a great value pick for the Bears in the seventh and will prove a valuable addition in their RB room.
Sellers’ Grade: A
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