After giving ourselves a week to digest and dissect Super Bowl LIX, our attention can fully turn to the rest of the NFL offseason. And when it comes to the Chicago Bears, there will be an obvious focus on the 2025 NFL Draft. Yes, I understand that free agency comes first. We’ll certainly tackle everything that comes our way on that front. But with that being said, champions are built through the NFL Draft. Since the Bears have a top-10 pick, I think it would behoove us to keep tabs on notable news and nuggets in that area.

For instance, ESPN’s Matt Miller shares his list of prospects to who he has given first-round grades and provided NFL comps for these players. It is an interesting piece and I feel as if is worth your time to read as we collectively dive into obsessive 2025 NFL Draft watch. Considering the Bears’ need to rebuild in the trenches, I find the number of offensive and defensive linemen receiving first-round grades to be eyebrow-raising.

2025 NFL Draft: Offensive and defensive linemen who get first-round grades

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and University of Texas award-winning lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. are the only 2025 NFL Draft-eligible offensive linemen who were given first-round grades from ESPN’s Matt Miller. That’s it. Just two. I don’t love that. However, I am digging the insight and analysis Miller provides regarding Campbell and Banks, each of whom has been sent to Chicago in so many mock drafts that I truly have lost count.

This is what Miller had to say about Will Campbell, who draws a favorable comparison to four-time Pro Bowl Buffalo Bills guard Dion Dawkins:

Campbell will spark intense debates in NFL scouting rooms as teams try to decide if the three-year starter at left tackle will remain at that spot in the pros. The 6-foot-6, 323-pounder is a technician with great agility and balance, but his shorter arms (under 33 inches) and an upright stance which lacks base power could force a move to guard. Whether he’s on the inside or outside, I think confidently give Campbell a Round 1 grade.

And this is what Miller said about Kelvin Banks Jr., who gets compared to Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is a two-time Pro Bowler:

Banks has been the anchor of the Longhorns’ offensive line since arriving on campus as a freshman. Though his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame might scare some scouts in pass protection, Banks’ elite footwork makes up for a lack of length and has helped him allow pressures on an FBS-low 0.8% of snaps. He is also an elite run blocker with the power and agility to overwhelm defenders. Banks has the potential to be a top run blocker in the NFL, either at tackle or kicking inside to guard.

My takeaway here is that the Bears would be fortunate to snag Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks Jr. in the 2025 NFL Draft. If either is available when Chicago goes on the clock with the No. 10 pick, the Bears would be wise to turn in the card and add them to an offensive line that needs whatever help it can get right now. As for the lack of interior offensive linemen with first-round grades, Miller notes that Alabama’s Tyler Booker continues climbing up his draft board. Perhaps Booker would find his way into the conversation if Miller were to do this exercise in March.

On the other side of the line of scrimmage, there are four 2025 NFL Draft-eligible players who get first-round grades:

• Abdul Carter, Penn State edge (NFL Comp: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys)
• Jalon Walker, Georgia edge (NFL Comp: Harold Landry III, Tennessee Titans)
• Mykel Williams, Georgia edge (NFL Comp: Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars)
• Mason Graham, Michigan defensive tackle (NFL Comp: Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens)

Ultimately, ESPN’s Matt Miller has first-round grades for just 12 prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft. If that seems ridiculously, low, just know that it is — even Miller notes that this is the lowest number of true first-round grades he has ever handed out. For what it’s worth, last year’s final list had 18 names. And in 2023, the list grew to 20. I suppose this list could grow between now and when the NFL Draft opens its doors in April. Let’s keep an eye on this.

2025 NFL DRAFT: New Mock Has Bears Adding an EDGE

All things being equal, I think the Bears would do well by using the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on an offensive or defensive lineman. Choose your fighter. Snag an offensive lineman to rebuild the side of the trenches that needs to add three starters (at least) this offseason. Or scoop up a defensive end or interior defensive lineman who can change the game from the other side of the line of scrimmage. In either case, it sounds like Chicago’s football team is in a win-win situation. Please, don’t screw this up.