For the first time under general manager Ryan Poles, the Bears go into the draft Thursday targeting specific holes in the starting lineup rather than simply trying to stock a dilapidated roster with talent as they rebuild.
They need a starting left tackle and better production at defensive tackle and defensive end, making those the priorities in the first round at No. 25 and in the second at Nos. 57 and 60 overall.
They also need a starting safety, a long-term center and some reinforcements at cornerback and wide receiver, but it’s more likely they’ll attack those in the third round or later.
With the line of scrimmage front of mind, here’s a projection of the first round:
1. Raiders — Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
There’s no guarantee Mendoza will be a star, but he lands in a solid situation with Tom Brady in ownership and top play caller in coach Klint Kubiak.
2. Jets — Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese
The Jets are so far away that they’ll likely have a top pick next year to draft a quarterback, and Reese is widely considered the best overall talent in this draft.
3. Cardinals — Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
Similar to the Jets, the Cardinals’ timeline doesn’t force them to force the issue at quarterback this year. It’s a multi-year path.
4. Titans — Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Love is the most exciting player in the draft and joins compelling team with last year’s top pick Cam Ward at quarterback.
5. Giants — Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
The Giants have their quarterback in Jaxson Dart and now must protect him after allowing the ninth-most sacks in the NFL last season.
6. Browns — Ohio State WR Carnell Tate
Does anyone know what the Browns are doing? Do they know? Unfortunately for Tate, he’s staying in-state.
7. Commanders — USC WR Makai Lemon
Lemon ends up in a better situation by going one pick later. He joins an ambitious organization and a talented quarterback in Jayden Daniels.
8. Saints — Miami DE Rueben Bain
Bain is an intriguing prospect for the Bears to track. Concerns about his character and arm length could cause him to slide.
9. Chiefs — Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
The Chiefs haven’t picked this high since 2013 and hope to get a receiver to pair with Patrick Mahomes for the second half of his career.
10. Giants — Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Two picks in the top 10 give new coach John Harbaugh a chance to make an instant impact on the roster.
11. Dolphins — Ohio State S Caleb Downs
This could be the first steal of the draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Downs going fifth to the Giants.
12. Cowboys — LSU CB Mansoor Delane
The Cowboys’ defense was disastrous last season, leading to coordinator Matt Eberflus’ firing, and especially bad against the pass.
13. Rams — Utah OT Spencer Fano
There’s a lot of debate about the best offensive tackle after Mauigoa, so the choices from here out will be subjective based on team preferences.
14. Ravens — Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane
Nothing wrong with fortifying either line of scrimmage, and the Ravens must strengthen the interior after losing Tyler Linderbaum.
15. Buccaneers — Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor
The run on pass rushers begins here, likely taking some significant targets off the Bears’ board as they wait at No. 25.
16. Jets — Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
McCoy would be the consensus best cornerback in the draft if not for missing last season to a torn ACL. He slides, but not far.
17. Lions — Missouri EDGE Zion Young
With Aidan Hutchinson signed through 2030, the Lions will be set for a long time if Young is a standout.
18. Vikings — Clemson DT Peter Woods
Woods and Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, both of interest to the Bears, are the top two defensive tackles in this draft class.
19. Panthers — Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor
Quarterback Bryce Young took an important step forward last season, and this is a good way to keep that progress going.
20. Cowboys — Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
After unloading Micah Parsons, the Cowboys now begin the search for a pass rusher who can make an impact like… Micah Parsons. Good luck.
21. Steelers — Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Steelers are hoping Aaron Rodgers returns, and this would give him a dynamic weapon underneath.
22. Chargers — Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell
Even in a supposedly weak draft for pass rushers, Howell would be the sixth off the board before the Bears’ pick.
23. Eagles — Indiana WR Omar Cooper
Drafting Cooper would be an ideal way to replenish at wide receiver with A.J. Brown likely getting traded to the Patriots.
24. Browns — Georgia OT Monroe Freeling
If Freeling lasts this long, it could compel the Bears to trade up for him. ESPN Scouts Inc. ranks him the No. 2 tackle this year.
25. Bears — Clemson OT Blake Miller
With uncertainty about Ozzy Trapilo’s recovery from a knee injury, the Bears need to make a long-term move at left tackle. If Trapilo bounces back and Miller pans out, they’ll have a surplus and a valuable trade piece. Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and Clemson pass rusher T.J. Parker would be tempting here, but the Bears can’t go into the season with another free-for-all at left tackle.
26. Bills — Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker
The Bills are going to be fine offensively with former MVP quarterback Josh Allen, but need to add some punch to their pass rush.
27. 49ers — Oregon S Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman is better than the 27th overall player in the draft, but safety isn’t a premium position, which is why the Bears and other teams will address it in later rounds.
28. Texans — Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald
If the Bears go defensive tackle at No. 25, McDonald likely would be the choice. They’ve spent significant time with him, and he could be the best value pick in this draft.
29. Chiefs — Clemson CB Avieon Terrell
The Chiefs got this pick for sending cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams and must use it to replace him.
30. Dolphins — Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Malik Willis is on a relatively short-term contract, and Simpson could develop behind him for a season or two.
31. Patriots — Washington WR Denzel Boston
Even with Brown expected to come, the Patriots need to provide Drake Maye more at wide receiver.
32. Seahawks — Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
Two Notre Dame running backs go in the first round as the Seahawks look to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
