2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears land a top offensive tackle in first round

The Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach, ushering in an exciting new era. While they landed the top head coach, there's still plenty of work to be done with the roster. Luckily, they've got the salary cap space and draft picks to get it done.

The Bears will be selecting 10th overall in the NFL draft. There are a slew of needs on the roster, most notably along the offensive line, where there are four starting spots up for grabs (with right tackle Darnell Wright safe), to help protect quarterback Caleb Williams.

We've rounded up the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts, where experts believe the Bears will be shoring up the offensive line with their first-round pick.

USA Today: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "No matter who ends up as the Bears' much-anticipated hire for head coach, the team's offseason is bound to center on the effort to help Caleb Williams feel more at ease in Year 2. Campbell's composure could set the right tone for Williams and the rest of an offensive line that has too often looked out of sorts."

ESPN: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

ESPN's Mel Kiper: "The Bears have had three top-10 picks since Ryan Poles became the GM in 2022, and they've used them all on offense. But anyone who watched Chicago play this season knows Caleb Williams needs better protection; the rookie QB took 68 sacks. The entire offensive line class is still on the board here, and it's close between Campbell and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. at the top. I lean Campbell because he was better this season and has more size at 6-foot-6, 323 pounds, even though Banks is ranked higher on my board (No. 10 vs. No. 11). Campbell gave up just two sacks over 524 pass-block snaps this season. There are some length concerns, and he might kick inside to guard, but Chicago needs help all over that line."

CBS Sports: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

CBS Sports' Josh Edwards: "Detroit has done a lot of fun stuff on offense with really talented players like Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and others. Those accomplishments were made possible by having one of the best offensive lines in the game. Chicago, now under the direction of Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, should seek to improve its offensive line."

Draft Wire: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy: "The Bears saw flashes from Caleb Williams so they added help in front of him at offensive tackle."

33rd Team: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs: "The question for Chicago's mock draft selection is less about what they pick and, more about which offensive lineman they should pick. Here's what it comes down to for the Bears: they need talent, period. Chicago needs talent at left tackle and they need talent on the interior. That makes the sales pitch pretty easy — take the best offensive line talent regardless of where they may play. Campbell may lack some offensive tackle traits, but the consensus is that he's the best on the board, particularly if he's asked to play inside at guard."

Athlon Sports: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling: "Upgrading the offensive line has to be the top priority for the Bears this offseason, as they try to keep building a strong supporting cast around Caleb Williams. Simmons missed the majority of the 2024 season with a knee injury, but prior to that, he was arguably the most dominant left tackle in all of college football. If he can be that player again, he'll be worth a top-10 pick."

Draft Network: Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon

Draft Network's Mason Johnstone: "Protecting quarterback Caleb Williams must be the top priority for the Bears this offseason. Securing a franchise tackle to protect Williams’ blindside will give the organization a clear opportunity to evaluate their young QB’s potential. Josh Conerly Jr. is one of the smoothest and most refined offensive line prospects in this draft. His greatest strength lies in his pass protection, making him the decade-long blindside blocker Ryan Poles has been searching for."

Pro Football Network: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Pro Football Network: "Out with the old, in with the new. The Ben Johnson era in Chicago is set to begin after the organization fired Matt Eberflus in the middle of the year, which gives Chicago another offseason to be filled with optimism after a disappointing 2024 season. The Bears’ offense already has a ton of quality pieces around Caleb Williams, which has me seeing Ryan Poles addressing the defensive side of the football by selecting EDGE rusher Nic Scourton. The Bears’ defense gave up 354 yards per game last season and only produced 40 sacks. Scourton is a consistent menace as a pass-rushing threat, with 15 sacks over the last two seasons. He’s also an imposing presence as a run stopper, notching 14+ tackles for a loss in each of his final two years in college."

SB Nation: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

SB Nation's Jospeh Acosta: "New head coach Ben Johnson comes from a team that prioritizes the offensive line, so it’s no surprise that this pick goes up front. Simmons is coming off a knee injury, but his movement skills in the run and passing game might be too good to pass up."

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Bears land top offensive tackle at No. 10