Ashton Jeanty, Tyler Warren, Will Campbell? Bears NFL Draft takeaways from 'The Beast'

The 2023 Chicago Bears trade with the Carolina Panthers will finally come to an end later this month at pick No.

39, the second-rounder that the Panthers included in their trade for the top pick.

Thats part of what makes the 2025 NFL Draft full of opportunity for general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson.

Advertisement Its Beast Week here at The Athletic .

Dane Bruglers must-read draft guide is always valuable, but Bears fans should have extra fun with it this year, considering whats at stake in the draft.

One benefit of last years meltdown meant high draft picks, starting at No.

10 and followed by No.

41, but that extra second-rounder gives Poles flexibility and another chance to add an impact player.

The Bears also have an improved roster, meaning Poles can go a variety of routes with his four picks in the top 72.

Prognosticators have wondered about running back or tight end in Round 1 because of what Johnson did in Detroit.

Both lines still need a boost.

Theres a hole at linebacker, future question marks in the secondary and depth questions at receiver.

Taking a Bears lens to my first glance at Bruglers guide, here are five takeaways: 1.

Will Campbell seems more than good enough, but what about the other first-round tackles? The LSU star is Bruglers top-rated offensive tackle not guard, as sometimes Brugler projects players to a different position in the NFL.

Campbell is also ranked No.

6 overall, four spots ahead of the Bears draft slot.

Thats a good sign if Campbell is available.

This might be a case of much ado about nothing, though, because Campbell could easily be gone before 10.

But if not, itll be an interesting conversation at Halas Hall.

Weakness No.

1 for Brugler is Average arm length can do better job compensating for lack of inches, followed by Doesnt have much margin for error if punch extension is mistimed.

The list of strengths? Its long.

Very long.

A few that stood out: Flips switch on field and prides himself on playing nasty, Impressive recovery skills to maintain leverage and stay connected, and Relentless worker and named a team captain as sophomore and junior.

This is the feedback I get from most teams.

The tape says Will Campbell is a LT.

So that's what he is until he shows he isn't.

https://t.co/tdUyZdP5XP Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 31, 2025 The good seems to outweigh the concerns, and Campbells size and athleticism stand out, too.

The Bears could do worse than taking Campbell, having him compete to start at left tackle, and, who knows, they could always move him inside one day.

If Campbell isnt there, and offensive tackle is the pick at No.

10, literally next in the rankings is Armand Membou, who dominated the combine.

Membou might not have ideal height for tackle (6-foot-4), but he plays long with exceptional control and finishing skills, Brugler writes.

His tools remind me of Troy Fautanu from the 2024 draft class, and all the talent is there for him to become a long-term NFL starting tackle.

Advertisement It is worth noting that Bruglers next tackle is Josh Simmons, but hes No.

20 and coming off a knee injury.

Based on this Big Board, if the Bears dont go Campbell or Membou at No.

10, they shouldnt take a tackle until Round 2.

2.

Theres depth to this running back class ...

and a lot to like about Ashton Jeanty Jeanty is Bruglers third-ranked prospect overall.

Thats a striking ranking.

For context, last years RB1 was Jonathon Brooks at 48th overall.

In 2023, Bijan Robinson was sixth.

Well get to Jeanty in a moment, but the Bears would be in pretty good shape if they wanted a running back on Day 2, especially compared with past years.

Brugler has nine running backs in his top 100, six in his top 75 and four in his top 50.

From 2021 to 2024, that was not the case.

Omarion Hampton (29th), Kaleb Johnson (44th), TreVeyon Henderson (46th) and Quinshon Judkins (60th) could all enhance the Bears backfield, and some will definitely be available on Friday night.

Back to Jeanty.

If the No.

3 prospect is available at No.

10, isnt that a no-brainer? Yes, we have no idea where Jeanty is on the Bears board, but its telling to see how he ranks in this class.

I also wanted to see any similarities to Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions first-round pick in 2023.

Theyre different runners, but the idea of Jeanty being a weapon like Gibbs and not just a back is what Johnson might seek.

Only once over the last decade has a RB surpassed 100 forced missed tackles in a season, according to PFF (Bijan Robinson had 104 in 12 gms in 2022).

Ashton Jeanty is now at 105 forced missed tackles in 10 gms in 2024.

pic.twitter.com/Oo8y4oHgXB Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 18, 2024 With his low center of gravity and explosiveness, Jeanty has an uncanny ability to stay afloat through contract and be elusive in space, Brugler writes.

Jeanty displays exceptional contact balance, run instincts and versatility in the passing game, reminiscent of LaDainian Tomlinson.

He has the talent to emerge as a high-level running back early in his NFL career.

Advertisement Two years ago, Brugler wrote, Gibbs doesnt have ideal size or run power for NFL punishment, but he is an electric athlete with the explosiveness, vision and pass-catching skills to be an exciting NFL weapon.

Though his workload will need to be managed, his talent is a mixture of Alvin Kamara and Chris Johnson.

Who best complements Bears running back DAndre Swift in this class? Or, how well does Swift complement Jeanty and the others? 3.

Tyler Warren vs.

Colston Loveland might be closer than you think Last year, tight end Brock Bowers ranked seventh overall in The Beast, and he went on to have a prolific season for a bad Raiders team.

This year, Warren is eighth overall and Loveland is 11th.

Theres not a ton separating them, and other teams could certainly have them flipped.

Similar to running back, this is a non-premium position that has two rare talents who could be available at No.

10 for a team that does have a starting tight end but could maybe add someone more dynamic and on a rookie contract.

Lets compare the two scouting report summaries.

Warren still has developing to do as a route runner and blocker, but he is an agile-footed big man who naturally tracks the football with dependable hands and a hunger to create after the catch.

He projects as a rookie NFL starter with traditional qualities, as well as the schematic versatility to be a multi-tool weapon for a play caller.

Loveland doesnt have the skill set for full-time in-line responsibilities, but his dynamic movements, natural hands and football awareness should make him one of the primary targets in an NFL offense.

His tools and upside are reminiscent of Zach Ertz.

In 2023, Sam LaPorta was Bruglers sixth-rated tight end and No.

64 overall.

He went to the Lions with the 34th pick and has 1,615 yards in two seasons.

Advertisement LaPorta is an average point-of-attack blocker and his lack of length hurts his success rate in contested situations, but he plays with outstanding quickness and body rhythm with soft hands as a pass catcher, Brugler wrote.

Neither Warren nor Loveland is ranked this high for blocking abilities.

In todays NFL, the best tight ends can do it all but have to be productive pass catchers, like LaPorta has been.

Maybe taking a tight end this high is a luxury pick, with Cole Kmet on the roster, but adding that middle-of-the-field weapon would also be big for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Clearly, these two tight ends are well thought of in the scouting community, but what about at Halas Hall? Now, Brugler does have Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo ranked 41st and seven tight ends in the top 100.

There were only four last year, so the Bears could find one on Day 2 or Day 3.

4.

Abundance of prospects who fit in the Day 2 cloud Im using former GM Ryan Paces term to account for players who could be on the board or in play for the Bears on Friday night.

Using Bruglers Big Boards as a guide, here are the players he ranked 36-47: edge James Pearce Jr., tackle Aireontae Ersery, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, cornerback Trey Amos, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, Arroyo, wide receiver Jaylin Noel, edge JT Tuimoloau, running back Kaleb Johnson, wide receiver Jayden Higgins, running back TreVeyon Henderson and edge Landon Jackson.

Itd be hard to take issue with any of those players based on position and skill set the one with the most red flags would be Pearce.

Then theres pick No.

72 (of course, this is all as things stand now, as Poles could certainly move around).

A few players in that range on Bruglers board who stand out: edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, wide receiver Jack Bech and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer.

Noel, Higgins and Bech all have worthy skill sets to complement DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.

If the Bears dont take a skill player on Thursday (or even if they do), a receiver on Day 2 isnt out of the question.

Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins is a graceful 6-4 and 215 pounds and you can see his technique catching up with his size/speed.

Higgins told me he started to shift his focus from basketball to football as a junior in HS.

His best football is still ahead of him.

pic.twitter.com/ULGmnvi20n Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 27, 2024 On Noel, Brugler writes, A sturdy and speedy athlete, Noel is smooth in and out of his breaks and plays with stickum hands to consistently secure throws away from his body.

His college teammate, Higgins, is 6-4, 214 pounds, and, With the body control and grace of a former point guard, Higgins has the smooth athleticism that translates to his route running, and he is more than just a possession target even if his tape doesnt show a dangerous playmaker after the catch.

Advertisement One nugget I picked up at the combine that stuck with me was the thought that the Bears could use a big slot.

Bech could be that guy.

Bechs acceleration is more build-up than immediate, and he will need to prove himself versus NFL press coverage, but he is urgent as a route runner with the ball-winning skills and competitive personality that will play.

He has experience both inside and outside, and his play style is reminiscent of Puka Nacua.

5.

Lots of ways for Bears to improve on defense Maybe its at No.

10.

Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham would be the ultimate prize, as Bruglers fourth-ranked prospect.

Its unlikely he will get to the Bears.

He violently sheds single blocks and plays the piano up and down the line with his outstanding chase effort.

Ive seen some mock drafts send Georgias Mykel Williams to the Bears.

He has the ideal size for Dennis Allen (6-5, 267 pounds) and is still 20 but is ranked 21st overall.

Writes Brugler, Williams is more toolsy than nuanced and needs to develop a more unified pass-rush plan, but he added that Williams traits are reasons to bet on his upside.

Shemar Stewart is No.

9 overall, followed by Mike Green at No.

10, two edge rushers who would boost the Bears pass rush immediately, but both have question marks.

For Stewart, who has all the size and athleticism that a coach could ask for, its that he needs to mature his rush efficiency and finishing skills after only 4 1/2 career sacks.

Green, the FBS leader in sacks, faced two sexual assault allegations that teams will need to investigate.

Could the Bears trade back in Round 1 and target safety Nick Emmanwori (No.

17) or Malaki Starks (No.

19)? What about cornerback Will Johnson (No.

18) or linebacker Jihaad Campbell (No.

14)? One player who would make sense for the Bears in Round 2 is Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson, ranked 45th overall.

Heres a note from Bruglers report that should resonate with the Bears front office: Two-year captain and a positive influence in the building (NFL scout: I love how he doesnt get obsessed with his own stats.

...

(He) just wants to win and impact the game.) Thats the type of incredible detail Brugler provides, and as difficult as it is to predict who the Bears will draft in two weeks, its even more of a fools errand to project their Day 3 picks.

But once those players are selected, well all be going to The Beast to read up on the rookie class.

(Photo of Tyler Warrent: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images).

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