00:00The Chicago Bears are making waves in the latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
00:05Instead of taking an offensive lineman with the 10th overall pick like most expected,
00:09the Bears have shifted gears and gone all-in on the pass rush.
00:14Enter Marshall's Mike Green, a dominant edge rusher who took the college football world by
00:19storm with 17 sacks in 2024. Green was an absolute menace on the field,
00:25and now he could be suiting up in Navy and Orange next season.
00:29Now let's talk about why this pick is such a bold move.
00:33For months, the consensus was that the Bears would go offensive line.
00:37After all, protecting Caleb Williams should be priority number one, right?
00:42The offensive line struggled in 2024, giving up a franchise record 68 sacks.
00:49Everyone assumed Ryan Poles would take a top tackle like LSU's Will Campbell Jr.
00:54or Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr.
00:56But when the draft board fell a certain way with top linemen already off the board,
01:01Poles and the Bears' front office made an aggressive pivot to Green.
01:06And let's be real, this guy is a beast.
01:08Green showed out at the Senior Bowl where he put on a pass-rushing clinic.
01:12He dominated one-on-one drills, bullied top offensive tackle prospects,
01:17and solidified himself as one of the best edge rushers in the class.
01:20His violent play style and relentless motor fit exactly what the Bears' defense needs.
01:25With Montez Sweat already in place,
01:27adding Green would give Chicago a lethal pass-rushing duo
01:30that could wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks for years to come.
01:35But what makes Green such a special prospect?
01:37Let's break it down.
01:38He has an explosive first step,
01:41which allows him to get off the line of scrimmage faster than most offensive tackles can react.
01:46He combines that with raw power and hand technique that overwhelms blockers.
01:50His ability to bend around the edge without losing speed
01:53is what separates elite pass rushers from the rest.
01:57And Green checks all the boxes.
01:59Scouts rave about his motor.
02:01He never gives up on a play.
02:03And that kind of relentless pursuit is exactly what defensive coordinators love.
02:08The importance of a strong pass rush in today's NFL cannot be overstated.
02:13The best teams know that getting to the quarterback
02:16is one of the most effective ways to disrupt an opposing offense.
02:19Look at teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
02:24Dominant defensive lines have helped propel them deep into the playoffs.
02:28If the Bears want to compete with the elite teams in the NFC,
02:31they need game changers on the defensive front.
02:33But here's where things get interesting.
02:36There's still a strong possibility that Ryan Poles trades down in the draft.
02:41This draft class is stacked with defensive line talent,
02:44meaning the Bears might be able to slide back a few spots, pick up extra draft capital,
02:49and still land an elite pass rusher like Tennessee's James Pierce Jr.
02:53Trading back would allow Poles to continue building this roster
02:57while still addressing a key need.
02:59If they move back to the 15 to 20 range,
03:01they could still land someone like Michael Williams from Georgia,
03:05who has similar traits to Green but could be available later.
03:08The Bears currently have several needs beyond pass rush.
03:12While the offensive line is a concern,
03:13Chicago could also use help in the secondary and at wide receiver.
03:17They've made strides in free agency,
03:18but the draft remains a key way to build long-term success.
03:22A trade-down scenario could allow them to secure multiple impact players instead of just one.
03:28Imagine grabbing an elite pass rusher and a top-tier offensive lineman
03:32within the first two rounds.
03:33That's how championship teams are built.
03:36And let's not forget about the offensive line.
03:38The Bears cannot afford to ignore it completely.
03:40If they do trade back, a player like Alabama's Tyler Booker could come into play.
03:44He may not have the same hype as some of the top tackles,
03:47but he's an absolute powerhouse in the trenches
03:50and would provide immediate help for Caleb Williams.
03:53The Bears have struggled to establish a consistent running game,
03:56and solidifying the interior offensive line would be a huge step in fixing that issue.
04:01The offensive tackle depth in this draft is solid,
04:05and the Bears could grab someone in the second round
04:07who could start on day one.
04:09Another name to keep an eye on is Michael Williams from Georgia.
04:12He has the size, strength, and explosiveness to be a dominant force on the edge.
04:18Some scouts believe he has even more upside than Green due to his elite athleticism.
04:23If the Bears opt for Williams instead of Green,
04:26they wouldn't be making a bad choice.
04:28They'd still be securing an impact player who can take their defense to the next level.
04:32The Bears could also target edge rushers later in the draft
04:35if they choose to go offensive line in the first round.
04:39Speaking of defense, the Bears have shown over the years
04:41that when their defense is strong, they can compete at the highest level.
04:45Think back to the 2018 season when Chicago had the best defense in the league,
04:50led by Khalil Mack.
04:51A ferocious pass rush paired with solid secondary play
04:55allowed them to dominate games and make the playoffs.
04:58If the Bears want to replicate that success,
05:01investing in their defensive front is a must.
05:05Let's also talk about defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
05:08He's known for his aggressive defensive schemes that rely on pressure and disruption.
05:13Bringing in a high-motor, violent pass rusher like Green fits right into Allen's vision.
05:18Allen wants a defensive line that can win one-on-one battles
05:21and force quarterbacks into mistakes.
05:23That's exactly what Green brings to the table.
05:26The Bears want to be a defense-first team that forces turnovers,
05:30and adding an elite pass rusher will help them achieve that.
05:33But there's another layer to this discussion.
05:36How does this pick impact Caleb Williams?
05:38Drafting Green means the Bears would be putting off
05:40addressing their biggest offensive weakness.
05:43While Caleb Williams has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback,
05:46he can't do it alone.
05:48He needs time in the pocket.
05:49He needs protection.
05:50He needs weapons.
05:51If the Bears prioritize defense over offensive line help,
05:55they'll need to be aggressive in free agency
05:57to make sure Williams has what he needs to succeed.
06:00That's where the offensive line market in free agency comes into play.
06:05Chicago could target veteran linemen to immediately improve the unit.
06:09Players like Jonah Williams, Lloyd Cushenberry III,
06:12or Ezra Cleveland could provide stability
06:14and allow the Bears to focus on defense in the draft.
06:18Poles will have to weigh these options carefully,
06:21balancing the need to improve the offensive line
06:23while ensuring the defense remains elite.
06:26Let's not forget about the wide receiver position either.
06:28While the Bears have D.J. Moore,
06:30they could still use another dynamic playmaker.
06:32Some analysts believe they should take a receiver
06:34with their first round pick instead of an edge rusher
06:37or offensive lineman.
06:38Malik Neighbors from LSU or Romo Dunze from Washington
06:42could be difference makers if they fall to number 10.
06:46The Bears could also look to add a receiver later in the draft
06:49if they decide to go defense first.
06:51At the end of the day,
06:53this is a defining offseason for the Bears.
06:55Ryan Poles has set the team up with flexibility and options.
06:59Whether they draft Green, trade back for more picks,
07:02or go in a completely different direction,
07:05the choices made in April will shape the franchise for years to come.
07:11So Bears fans, what do you think?
07:13Are you excited about the idea of Mike Green coming to Chicago?
07:17Or would you rather see Ryan Poles focus on the offensive line?
07:21Do you think trading back is the best move?
07:24Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's talk about it.
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