Ryan Poles has experienced the NFL Draft for all it has to offer — once an offensive lineman entering the league, then a rising scout cutting his teeth with the Chiefs, a budding executive influencing key decisions and now the second-year general manager for the Bears. 

Poles recognizes that the draft represents the lifeblood of a successful organization, which he hopes to create in Chicago. In leading a careful rebuilding process for the Bears, the 37-year-old Poles has been trusted with patience and allowed to see through a delicate plan. But he knows well that what those hopes hinge on success in the draft. 

Drafting is an imperfect science, one that the brightest football minds have never been able to quite solve. But Poles has positioned the Bears well with 10 selections in this upcoming draft — which begins April 27 in Kansas City — and there’s certainly the possibility of more trades down. 

Last year, Poles turned the five picks he inherited into a dozen while seeing the Bears’ need to take swings across the roster. Chicago has already pulled off one significant trade by dealing the No. 1 overall pick to Carolina in exchange for the No. 9 selection, a 2024 first-round pick, a pair of second-round slots and star wide receiver DJ Moore. 

Even after addressing roster voids in free agency, the Bears still have plenty they must accomplish in this draft. 

With that in mind, here is my seven-round mock draft. 

Note: Mock draft was conducted through the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, with settings formed to create the most realistic scenarios possible. The trade between the Bears and Saints was conducted through the PFF trade simulators. 

First Round, Pick No. 9 Overall (from Panthers) — Offensive Tackle Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State 

In early March at the NFL Combine, the Bears brought Paris Johnson into their suite inside Lucas Oil Stadium and he got a sense for the possibility of reuniting with former Ohio State teammate Justin Fields in Chicago. 

“That would be awesome,” Johnson said of joining Fields with the Bears. “I mean, when I first came to Ohio State, he took me in. It’s always cool when you’re a young lineman, the starting quarterback is a humble guy.  

“That’s my guy. He’s an amazing quarterback. He’s smart, he’s accurate. I mean, it would be an honor to be back with him again.” 

That possibility became more realistic two weeks later when the Bears traded the first overall pick and landed with the ninth slot. It meant Johnson suddenly would become one of the most enticing options for Chicago. 

Johnson was a three-year starter with the Buckeyes and an All-Big Ten tackle who could immediately step in for the Bears’ offensive line and potentially stick for many years to come. Poles backed off the rising market for veteran tackles in free agency, which saw Bears targets Mike McGlinchey (Broncos) and Jawaan Taylor (Chiefs) land elsewhere. Tackle is still a great need for Chicago as it looks to bring better protection for Fields in his third season. 

Though the Bears have offered their vote of confidence for second-year tackle Braxton Jones at the left side, he could very well slide over to the right tackle position if Johnson landed in Chicago. 

Poles said the Bears see seven “blue-chip” players on their draft board, meaning prospects whom they covet as top values. That group includes quarterbacks, likely Bryce Young (Alabama) and C.J. Stroud (Ohio State). Johnson very well could be in that blue-chip group — though there will be plenty of intriguing options potentially in play. 

The Bears are still forming a decision on embattled Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, whose fall from the top of the draft could see him slip to the No. 9 pick. Given his troubles involving charges for reckless driving and drag racing in a fatal January crash, Carter is seen as a poor character and culture fit. 

Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski seems to have the highest floor of any prospect in this draft class, though he is being projected as a guard in the NFL due to 32 ¼-inch arm length. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is another Ohio State standout for the Bears to consider with the ninth pick. Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon would be an excellent fit as a best-player-available possibility. 

But there’s a lot to like with the NFL future of Johnson, who is a clear-cut top prospect in this draft class. This selection by the Bears would be a sound investment in the future of Fields and their offense. 

Second Round, Pick No. 53 Overall (from Ravens) — Center Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin 

The Bears enter a run of three selections within 11 slots on Day 2 of the draft, a range in the draft where teams could find prized prospects making surprising falls. It can be difficult to project which players will land late in the second round and perhaps there’s a relative steal available. 

Joe Tippmann out of Wisconsin would be a tremendous selection with the No. 53 overall pick, which the Bears landed in return for star linebacker Roquan Smith. A two-year starter with the Badgers, Tippmann has the potential to step right in as Chicago’s next center — a position that seems to be still lacking a long-term solution. 

The Bears signed veteran guard Nate Davis in free agency and could move veteran Cody Whitehair over to center. Lucas Patrick, whom Chicago signed on a two-year deal last year, is also an option for the interior offensive line positions. But the development of a rookie like Tippmann brings security beyond just this season. 

Second Round, Pick No. 61 Overall (from 49ers via Panthers) — Edge Andre Carter, Army 

If not for a congressional bill passed in late December of last year, Andre Carter II would not even be eligible for the NFL Draft. But he will serve in the Army after his time as an edge rusher in the league. 

Carter is long and athletic at nearly 6-foot-7 and 256 pounds, a player at Army who was often dominant. He is a bit of a developmental prospect in the NFL, which might suit best with the Bears. If Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus are seeking character players for their roster, there may be no better fit than Carter. 

The Bears are seeking building blocks for their defensive front and looking to improve their pass rush. Carter’s potential is fascinating for the late second round. 

Third Round, Pick No. 64 Overall — Traded to Saints 

How about a trade? Poles made several deals during his first draft in 2022 and has proven to prioritize value in the right slots of the draft. It feels as if one of these three picks from Day 2 will be dealt in order to obtain more draft capital. This deal with the Saints allows the Bears to land a third-round pick that’s 71^st overall and a fourth-round selection. 

Third Round, Pick No. 71 Overall (from Saints) — Cornerback Eli Ricks, Alabama 

Poles values trades down but also understands the Bears’ need for greater talent across the board. This deal moves Chicago just seven spots back while acquiring an additional fourth-round pick, a trade passed through the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulators.  

In Alabama product Eli Ricks, the Bears would be landing a long outside cornerback at 6-foot-2 and a player who could complement Jaylon Johnson well in the secondary. He was a five-star recruit who transferred from LSU to Alabama. There’s a lot of talent and potential in Ricks. 

Fourth Round, Pick No. 103 Overall — Wide Receiver Parker Washington, Penn State 

The Bears significantly upgraded their wide receiver group with the acquisition of DJ Moore, but there’s the need to keep finding talent for this position room. Parker Washington is a dynamic pass catcher despite his 5-foot-10 frame and could also factor into the return game. He posted a dozen touchdowns over parts of three seasons at Penn State.  

Fourth Round, Pick No. 115 Overall (from Saints) — Running Back Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State 

Let’s take a chance on a prospect who could be special in the NFL: Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. He’s 5-foot-5 and 179 pounds but makes up for it with a gifted skill set. Vaughn rushed for 2,962 yards and 27 touchdowns over the last two seasons while being named a two-time All-American. At the very least, he’s a change of pace to Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman. But maybe Vaughn can keep racking up big numbers in the NFL. 

Fourth Round, Pick No. 133 Overall (from Eagles) — Defensive Tackle Keondre Coburn, Texas 

The Bears did not exactly solidify their defensive line in free agency and opportunities in this draft didn’t present until now. Here’s an intriguing prospect in Keondre Coburn out of Texas, who lacked production in the stat sheet but flashes on film. He’s powerful standing at 6-foot-2 and 332 pounds, stout against the run and able to pressure against the pass. This pick was sent by the Eagles in return for veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn, who was dealt late last October. 

Fifth Round, Pick No. 136 Overall — Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, Purdue 

Every good organization should have a developmental quarterback prospect working behind the starter. The Bears believe in the future of Fields and were eager to bring in PJ Walker as his backup. They also re-signed veteran quarterback Nathan Peterman on a 1-year deal. Stevenson High School product Aidan O’Connell, a standout at Purdue, makes sense as a Day 3 quarterback selection.  

Fifth Round, Pick No. 148 Overall (from Patriots through Ravens) — Wide Receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper, Fresno State 

Last year, Poles and the Bears sought to address their needs on the offensive line with Day 3 picks. This time around, the wide receiver position could use some flyers in the draft. Fresno State’s Jalen Moreno-Cropper would be the second wide receiver selected to Chicago in this draft, a former prized recruit who was highly productive with the Bulldogs. Moreno-Cropper posted 169 receptions for 1,992 yards and 16 scores the last two seasons. He boasts 4.4-second speed that can take the top off a defense. 

Seventh Round, Pick No. 218 Overall — Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, Utah 

I’m willing to bet that the Bears make a selection or two in this 70-pick gap, but for the sake of this mock draft we’ll limit the trades down on Day 3. Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate is the type of player who makes sense in the seventh round, an inconsistent player in college with size and talent to work with. The Bears are in a good place at linebacker now and he can develop with reps in practice.  

Seventh Round, Pick No. 258 Overall (compensatory supplemental selection) — H-Back Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State 

The Bears landed the penultimate pick in this draft as part of the compensatory selection process. How about a fascinating prospect in North Dakota State H-back Hunter Luepke, who posted 24 rushing touchdowns and nine receiving scores during his time with the Bison. Luepke can play a versatile role in the Bears’ offense and allow some creativity with personnel packages.