Discussions around the upcoming NFL draft will continue for the next month. The Chicago Bears have concluded the largest portion of work in free agency, adding five notable veterans to their roster, including two guards, a center, a defensive end, and a defensive tackle. GM Ryan Poles stated these moves open the door to almost anything with the 10th overall pick. No possibility is off the table. Still, the same set of names keeps coming up.
Those feel like the most plausible outcomes based on what is known of Poles and this new coaching staff. However, if there is one thing we’ve learned about the Bears, it is that they love pulling swerves in the first round: Shea McClellin in 2012, Kyle Long in 2013, Leonard Floyd in 2016, and Darnell Wright in 2023. All of them were surprises to varying degrees. That begs the question. Are there any players in this class who have a case for being somebody the Bears secretly covet?
4. Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
Taking safety in the top 10 seems unnecessary, given positional value. That said, the Bears face uncertainty at the position. Kevin Byard is 32 and Jaquan Brisker is in the last year of his rookie contract, not to mention he missed most of 2024 with a concussion. The team could use some long-term insurance at the position. Starks is a tremendous talent who fits the type of opportunistic player Dennis Allen prefers at safety.
“I think he got bored with that offense. His playing style is like Jerry Jeudy but with Amon-Ra St. Brown’s hands and toughness.”
Chicago already took a wide receiver in the top 10 last year with Rome Odunze. Doing so again seems like a luxury move. That said, Burden being compared to St. Brown, who thrived in Ben Johnson’s offense for three years, is worth noting. The Bears head coach loves speed. Burden has it. He’s a weapon that is lethal, with the ball in his hands. If arming Caleb Williams is the objective, do not ignore him.
Poles said a team can never have enough pass rushers. Adding Dayo Odeyingbo was a good first step for the Chicago Bears, but they still have depth concerns. Despite Stewart getting all the hype, Scourton was the better pass rusher at A&M. His comparison to Hendrickson is fitting. He has the power, length, motor, and explosiveness to give offensive tackles fits. Allen coached Hendrickson in New Orleans.
Jeanty was a Heisman finalist. Almost everybody believes he is the top running back in this draft. However, one cannot forget Johnson loves speed. Detroit took Jahmyr Gibbs in the 1st round because he was so explosive. Henderson showcased home run ability every week for the Buckeyes and backed it up with a 4.43 at the combine. That belies his solid build to handle a heavy workload and reports of outstanding character. This is the one if you want a true upset pick that Chicago could pull.
