LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears focused largely on supporting quarterback Caleb Williams during the NFL draft – with one obvious exception.
In the lead-up to the final round, the team struggled to identify a running back who could alleviate some of the pressure on the passing game. This issue was particularly concerning given that draft analysts had highlighted the abundance of talented running backs available that year.
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Following the selection of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland as the 10th overall pick, the Bears opted for another pass-catching option at No. 39 by choosing explosive wide receiver Luther Burden III. This decision was made despite other potential areas of need on the team.
“He was clearly the most skilled player available,” stated general manager Ryan Poles. “We believe he possesses a dynamic skill set and can make big plays on the field.”
It gives coach Ben Johnson more options for his scheme during the former Detroit offensive coordinator’s first season in Chicago, and the rookies could bring a higher level of competition to practice.
“I think all we did this weekend is we might’ve just turned up the notch a couple of dials for certain people in the building,” Johnson said. “That’s a good thing. That’s a healthy thing.
“That’s where you bring out the best not only in your team, but in each individual.”
It almost seems Williams and the Bears have too many weapons.
“Yeah, you’re right, we have a lot of weapons,” Johnson said. “So how are you going to run your route when you might not be No. 1 in the progression? How are you going to block for your teammate when he has the ball?”
The Bears also added more blocking help for Williams.
A year after giving up a league-high 68 sacks, an offensive line rebuilt in free agency now has second-round tackle Ozzy Trapilo from Boston College and sixth-round guard Luke Newman from Michigan State.
Poles said he didn’t have a running back graded highly enough when the Bears’ pick came up in the first six rounds. He took Kyle Monangai of Rutgers in the seventh round.
“Again, if you’re going to be disciplined, you’re going to let the board dictate how you do things and it just happens that way,” Poles said.
He called it preferable to reaching for a player.
“But at the end of the day, you’re increasing the talent on your football team,” Poles said. “And I do think you can get into a lot of trouble when you start trying to manipulate things to get into certain pockets where it ends up hurting your team long term.”
Trading down
Poles kept trading back and acquiring picks when no back or pass rusher lined up for him.
The Bears sent the 41st, 72nd and 240th picks to Buffalo on Friday and acquired the 56th, 62nd and 109th picks. They then traded the 109th pick right back to the Bills on Saturday for No. 132 in Round 4 and fifth-rounder at No. 169.
They also traded their fifth-rounder at No. 148 to the Rams for the 195th pick and a fourth-rounder in 2026.
Prioritizing discipline
Second-round defensive tackle Shemar Turner of Texas A&M was flagged for seven personal fouls in the last two seasons. He realizes that can’t continue.
“Man, playing with an edge, being an edgy guy, playing with fire like that is always good, but you’ve got to know how to control it,” Turner said. “You can’t let it control you.”
Legacy pick
Poles has plenty of connections to Trapilo, who was selected at No. 56.
Poles also played offensive line at Boston College, and Poles’ father, Robert, was on the same BC team as Trapilo’s dad, Steve Trapilo, who went on to play for the New Orleans Saints.
Steve Trapilo died of a heart attack at age 39 when Ozzy was 3 years old.
Speed search
While the Bears emphasized improving their offense, they also added speed to their defense, fulfilling an objective of new coordinator Dennis Allen.
They drafted Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II in Saturday’s fourth round, and they took cornerback Zah Frazier from Texas-San Antonio in the fifth.
Frazier ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, while Hyppolite was reported at 4.39 during a pro day, a time that would have been fastest at the combine for linebackers had he run it there.
Back has his back
Williams may get backfield help out of the draft after all. Monangai counts pass blocking among his strengths.
“The quarterback’s the most important person on the field, for an offensive perspective,” Monangai said. “So protecting the quarterback comes first.
“You’ve got to protect the quarterback if you want the ball is kind of the philosophy I was raised in.”
Bears introduce Loveland
ABC7 Chicago had the chance to speak with Loveland after he was selected. He said he’s just grateful to be coming to Chicago.
“This whole process has been amazing like I said. I’m one of the few that gets to go through this and do this, so I am taking full advantage of it and not taking it for granted,” he said.
The 2025 NFL Draft continues Friday with the Chicago Bears selecting in the second and third rounds after drafting Michigan TE Colston Loveland.
Loveland set a school record for a tight end with 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns as a junior last season.
Loveland also says he’s looking forward to taking the field and working alongside new Bears coach Ben Johnson, who also comes from Michigan himself after coaching for Detroit.
ABC7 Chicago’s Dionne Miller contributed to this report.
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