Honestly, being a Bears fan usually feels like you're waiting for a train that's already derailed. But the last couple of years? Something shifted. It’s not just about the names on the jerseys anymore. It’s about the sheer audacity of how Ryan Poles is stacking this roster.
If you look at the Chicago NFL draft picks from 2024 and 2025, you aren't just looking at a list of college kids. You're looking at a complete architectural overhaul of a franchise that was stuck in the 1980s for way too long.
The Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze "Big Bang"
Everything basically changed on April 25, 2024.
We all knew Caleb Williams was coming at No. 1 overall. That was the worst-kept secret in Illinois. But when the Bears stayed put at No. 9 and snagged Rome Odunze, the vibe in the city transformed. You've got a generational quarterback prospect paired with a 6-foot-3 target who actually catches contested balls.
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It worked. Fast forward to the 2025 season—which we just saw wrap up—and that connection is the reason Chicago actually won a playoff game against the Packers. That 4th-down "Jumpman" throw Williams made to Odunze in the Wild Card round? Pure magic.
But here’s the thing: everyone talks about the stars. People forget the "boring" picks that actually made the 2024 class elite.
- Kiran Amegadjie (OT, Yale): A third-rounder who people called a "reach." He ended up being a vital swing tackle when the injury bug hit.
- Tory Taylor (P, Iowa): Yes, they drafted a punter in the fourth round. And yes, he pinned teams inside the five-yard line so often he became a cult hero at Soldier Field.
- Austin Booker (EDGE, Kansas): A fifth-round flyer who showed more burst than some first-rounders.
Why the 2025 Chicago NFL Draft Picks Matter More Than You Think
If 2024 was about finding the face of the franchise, 2025 was about protecting him and giving him a "safety valve."
The Bears walked into the 2025 draft with the 10th overall pick. Most "experts" were screaming for an edge rusher. Instead, Poles went with Colston Loveland, the tight end from Michigan.
Some fans hated it. "Another tight end? We have Cole Kmet!"
But look at the reality of the 2025 season. Loveland wasn't just a tight end; he was a slot mismatch. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he was actually leading the team in targets. He became Caleb’s security blanket. When the pocket collapsed, Williams didn't have to hero-ball it; he just found No. 80.
Breaking Down the 2025 Rookie Class
The draft didn't stop at Loveland. The Bears were aggressive, moving around to ensure they didn't leave empty-handed in the trenches.
Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri) fell to the second round (No. 39), and Chicago pounced. Adding him to a room that already had DJ Moore and Odunze is just unfair. It’s like playing Madden with the trade logic turned off. Burden brought that "running back after the catch" energy that the offense desperately needed.
Then came the heavy lifters:
- Ozzy Trapilo (OT, Boston College): A mountain of a man at No. 56. He’s a legacy player who just understands leverage.
- Shemar Turner (DL, Texas A&M): Pick No. 62. He’s got that "positionless" versatility where he can slide inside on passing downs.
- Ruben Hyppolite II (LB, Maryland): A fourth-round steal (No. 132) who stepped in perfectly after Jack Sanborn's departure.
The Dennis Allen Factor
You can't talk about Chicago NFL draft picks without mentioning the coaching shift. With Dennis Allen taking over the defense, the profile of the players the Bears are targeting has changed.
Allen wants "length and speed."
Look at Zah Frazier, the corner they took in the fifth round from UTSA. He wasn't on many big boards, but he’s a press-man specialist. He fits the "Allen Mold" perfectly. It’s a departure from the old-school "Monsters of the Midway" philosophy. It’s more surgical now.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Draft Value"
There’s this obsession with "winning" the draft based on some spreadsheet created by a guy in his basement.
"Oh, they reached for a punter!"
"They took a tight end too high!"
In Chicago, the only value that matters is: Does this help Caleb Williams? Every single pick since 2024 has been filtered through that lens. Even the seventh-round selection of Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers) in 2025 was about this. He’s a short-yardage bruiser. He’s there to pick up those 3rd-and-1s so Williams doesn't have to take a hit.
The Bears are finally building a modern NFL ecosystem. They aren't just drafting talent; they’re drafting roles.
The Road Ahead: Actionable Steps for the 2026 Offseason
The roster is light years ahead of where it was, but the work isn't done. If you're tracking the development of these Chicago NFL draft picks, keep an eye on these three areas:
1. Monitor the Free Agent Edge Market
Despite drafting Shemar Turner, the Bears still need a consistent bookend for Montez Sweat. With about $10 million in cap space, look for a "one-year prove it" deal for a veteran like Za'Darius Smith or even a trade for a disgruntled starter elsewhere.
2. Watch the Offensive Line Chemistry
Ozzy Trapilo and Luke Newman (the 6th-rounder from Michigan State) are the future, but they need snaps. If the Bears don't bring in a veteran center, the pressure is on these young guys to communicate in loud road environments.
3. The "Third Year" Leap
2026 will be the "make or break" year for the 2024 class. Guys like Tyler Scott and Gervon Dexter Sr. need to transition from "promising" to "consistent starters." If that happens, Chicago isn't just a playoff team—they're a Super Bowl contender.
The days of the Bears being a "defensive team with a bad QB" are officially dead. This is a track meet now. And for the first time in forever, Chicago has the horses to run.