The Chicago Bears are facing a critical crossroads as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, with a growing chorus of analysts and insiders urging the team to avoid selecting a defensive tackle with the 25th overall pick, a stance that has ignited intense debate among the fanbase and front office observers alike. In a revealing video segment that has since gone viral among Bears faithful, prominent draft analyst Harrison Graham laid out a compelling case against using the team’s first-round selection on an interior defensive lineman, citing a litany of concerns about the depth and quality of this year’s class at that position. Graham, speaking with the urgency of a man who has seen this scenario play out disastrously before, did not mince words when he declared, “I do not want a defensive tackle in the first round,” a statement that has resonated deeply with a fanbase still scarred by years of underwhelming investments in the trenches. The analyst acknowledged that he could potentially stomach such a move if the Bears were able to trade back a few spots, perhaps from 25 to 29, and pick up an extra third-round pick in the process, but he made it abundantly clear that taking a player like Kristian Miller or Peter Woods at the original slot without additional compensation would be a mistake. “I just have too many questions about this group to take one at 25 without getting anything extra,” Graham emphasized, his voice carrying the weight of someone who has studied the tape and found it wanting. The Bears, he argued, have already signaled their intentions through their offseason moves, adding depth pieces like Javon Dexter and retaining Grady Jarrett, which suggests the team is not enamored with the top-end talent available at defensive tackle in this draft cycle. “It’s not going to be a great group for us probably this year, but we just don’t love the options here in the first round,” Graham concluded, a sentiment that many believe reflects the actual thinking inside Halas Hall as general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson finalize their draft board. The conversation quickly shifted to the tantalizing possibility of trading up from the 25th pick, a scenario that has captivated fans dreaming of landing a true difference-maker in the top half of the first round. Graham, however, poured cold water on the idea of making a splashy move without careful consideration, warning that the price to jump from 25 to the 10th or 11th pick could be prohibitively steep. “I don’t think you can say 100%,” he said when asked about trading up for a falling star, but he did outline a specific set of conditions under which he would be willing to pull the trigger. The analyst identified four players he would target if they fell to a certain range, including Caleb DS and Ruben Bane in the 12 to 14 pick range, provided the Bears could acquire them without surrendering a future first-round pick. “If I can get him without giving up a future first, probably,” Graham stated, his tone measured but optimistic about the potential value. He also expressed interest in Gerard McCoy, a cornerback he believes has the tools to be the best at his position in the entire draft, if he slipped to the mid-to-late teens, though he cautioned that any move would require the right price point and the right situation. “I’m not doing anything crazy,” Graham insisted, before dropping a bombshell that has since dominated water cooler conversations across Chicago. “The more I think about it, if anything, if I’m going to trade the 25th pick, I almost would rather just trade that plus like a future third for Dexter Lawrence and call it a day.” That hypothetical trade for the New York Giants’ dominant defensive tackle would instantly transform the Bears’ defensive line, but it remains a pipe dream given the complexities of NFL transactions and the Giants’ likely reluctance to part with a player of Lawrence’s caliber. The draft analysis took another intriguing turn when Graham delved into the edge rusher position, specifically comparing two prospects who have been linked to the Bears in various mock drafts. The analyst declared himself a big fan of Malachi Lawrence, describing him as a “juiced up, twitchy edge rusher” with explosive pass-rushing ability, but he raised legitimate concerns about Lawrence’s run defense, a critical flaw in a league where teams are increasingly relying on outside zone runs to exploit defensive edges. “You got to defend the run, especially on the perimeter because that’s where the explosive runs come into play,” Graham explained, noting that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen values big edge rushers who can set the edge against the Kyle Shanahans and Sean McVays of the world. In a direct comparison, Graham gave the edge to Denied Dennis Sutton over Lawrence, arguing that Sutton is a much better run defender while still being a good enough pass rusher to warrant consideration. “Lawrence, I think, is a better pass rusher than a guy like Denied Dennis Sutton, but Denied Dennis Sutton is a much better run defender and still a good enough pass rusher,” Graham said, effectively splitting hairs between two talented prospects. The analyst acknowledged that Sutton’s draft range is highly volatile, with some evaluators projecting him as a first-round pick while others see him falling to the third round, a discrepancy that makes him one of the most unpredictable players in this year’s class. “It only takes one team,” Graham noted, leaving the door open for the Bears to be that team if they believe Sutton fits their scheme and culture. The discussion then pivoted to the possibility of the Bears doubling up on a position in the draft, a strategy that has gained traction among fans who want to see the team aggressively address its most glaring weaknesses. Graham, however, poured cold water on the idea of selecting two edge rushers in the first two days of the draft, citing the team’s existing depth at the position and the presence of players like Jammar Turner, who is expected to play a significant role moving forward. “Ryan Poles is still factoring in Jammar Turner a lot for this team moving forward,” Graham revealed, referencing comments the general manager made during the recent owners meetings. The analyst also pointed to Dioangbo’s continued presence on the roster, noting that even if he kicks inside to defensive tackle at times, he is likely to remain part of the edge rotation. “If you factor those two in with Sweat and Booker, and you’re drafting somebody, you’ve got Daniel Hardy, like that’s you’re at six guys at that point,” Graham calculated, explaining that most teams keep five or six edge rushers on the 53-man roster. “To me, if they draft two guys on day two, like is someone getting moved?” he asked rhetorically, highlighting the roster math that could complicate such a strategy. The analyst’s comments suggest that the Bears are more likely to target one edge rusher in the early rounds and then address other needs, rather than loading up on a single position group at the expense of depth elsewhere. One of the most electrifying moments of the segment came when Graham addressed the possibility of drafting tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the 25th overall pick, a scenario that would shock many Bears fans but could represent the ultimate test of the team’s commitment to selecting the best player available. “If Kenyon Sadiq is there at 25, there’s a pretty good chance he’s the best player available,” Graham declared, his voice rising with excitement as he painted a picture of what the tight end could bring to Ben Johnson’s offense. The analyst acknowledged that such a move would likely spell the end of Cole Kmet’s tenure in Chicago, drawing a parallel to the team’s decision to draft Luther Burton while DJ Moore was still on the roster. “It would suck for Cole Kmet because that probably means it would be his last year in Chicago, but it’s kind of part of running a football team,” Graham said, his tone pragmatic about the harsh realities of the NFL. He described Sadiq as an explosive player who is a willing blocker and has the versatility to be split out as a big slot receiver, making him an ideal fit for Johnson’s offense, which frequently uses 12 and 13 personnel packages. “If you’re telling me you’re getting the 15th best player in the draft at 25 overall, like who am I to say no?” Graham asked, challenging the notion that the Bears should pass on a top-tier talent simply because they already have a capable starter at the position. The analyst framed this as an ultimate test of the Bears’ philosophy, noting that if Sadiq or guard Vega Yawan are sitting there at 25 and the team passes on them, it would raise serious questions about whether the front office truly believes in its own best-player-available mantra. “I don’t think you’re the one team that doesn’t have these guys high on your board,” Graham concluded, his words hanging in the air like a challenge to Poles and his staff. The conversation also touched on a wide range of other draft-related topics, including the potential selection of Bryce Lance at pick 89, a player Graham described as a “big play machine” who would fit well with Ben Johnson’s emphasis on explosive plays. The analyst noted that Lance, the brother of former first-round pick Trey Lance, was on Bruce Feldman’s freak list and has strong hands, making him an intriguing option in the late second to early fourth round range. “I wouldn’t be against it,” Graham said, though he cautioned that Lance’s ceiling might be limited to a vertical threat as a number two receiver. The discussion also touched on the possibility of drafting safety Dylan Theamman, a player Graham admitted he would consider moving up for if he fell to the 21st or 22nd pick, though he acknowledged that it’s “still weird to say a safety” as a dream pick. The analyst also expressed growing interest in offensive lineman Kaden Proctor, who he believes could eventually kick inside to guard if his development at tackle stalls. “Worst case scenario, he could be a mauler at guard down the road,” Graham said, highlighting the versatility that makes Proctor an attractive option for a team that values flexibility along the offensive line. The segment ended with a lighthearted poll asking fans who they think will win the NFC North in 2026, a question that has taken on added significance as the Bears look to build on their offseason momentum and challenge the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings for division supremacy. Throughout the segment, Graham’s analysis was marked by a clear-eyed realism about the Bears’ roster construction and the challenges they face in building a contender. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of value and fit, warning against reaching for players at positions of need when superior talents are available at other spots. The analyst’s comments about defensive tackle, in particular, have struck a chord with fans who remember the team’s struggles to find consistent interior pressure in recent years, and his suggestion that the Bears could trade back to acquire an extra pick while still landing a player like Kristian Miller has sparked intense debate on social media. The possibility of trading up for a falling star like Caleb DS or Ruben Bane has also generated significant buzz, with many fans dreaming of what such a move could mean for a defense that has already added several key pieces in free agency. Graham’s willingness to consider unconventional scenarios, such as drafting a tight end in the first round or trading for Dexter Lawrence, has further cemented his reputation as a thinker who is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. As the draft draws closer, the Bears find themselves in an enviable position, with multiple paths to improvement and a front office that has shown a willingness to be aggressive when the right opportunity presents itself. Whether they ultimately decide to stay put at 25, trade up for a star, or trade back to accumulate more picks, one thing is clear: the decisions made in the coming weeks will have a profound impact on the trajectory of the franchise for years to come. The fans, meanwhile, are left to wait and wonder, their hopes and fears hanging on every word from analysts like Graham as the clock ticks down to draft day.
The mock draft kicks off with a surprising choice at the 11th pick: Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. This decision comes amid speculation that the Dolphins might select edge rusher Ruben Bane Jr. instead. With both players available, Reed’s pick of Tate signals a potential shift in Miami’s offensive strategy, especially after the departures of key receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.
