Yahoo Sports 2025 NFL mock draft: Bears land stud pass rusher in first round
The Chicago Bears are facing an important offseason that starts with finding their next head coach and continues with general manager Ryan Poles improving the roster in notable areas, including the offensive and defensive lines.
Luckily, the Bears are in a prime position to address the trenches, as well as other areas of need, with $73 million in salary cap space, per Spotrac, and four picks in the Top 75 of the 2025 NFL draft. That includes the 10th overall pick, where Chicago is primed to land a top prospect.
In a new mock draft from Marquee Sports Network's Scott Bair, the Bears address the trenches with the selection of Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams at No. 10. In this scenario, the top two tackles are off the board in LSU's Will Campbell and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr., and Chicago gets the No. 2 edge rusher on the board behind Penn State's Abdul Carter.
Offensive linemen are typically attached to the Bears at No. 10, but both top tackles are off the board and, honestly, the Bears can survive with Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright. What they need are guards who eat nails for breakfast and a super-smart guy at center. Interior offensive linemen are rarely taken this high, so the Bears go with a premium position and someone who can provide a threat rushing the passer opposite Montez Sweat.
In his first full year starting as a junior, Williams totaled career highs with 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He was the Butkus Award winner for the nation's best linebacker.
The Bears need a true complement opposite edge rusher Montez Sweat, and Williams could be a good pairing to help get this pass rush going.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Bears land stud pass rusher in first round
