Defining short- and long-term expectations for the Bears’ top 4 draft picks
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Earlier this month, nickelback Kyler Gordon became the first Chicago Bears NFL Draft pick made by general manager Ryan Poles to receive an extension from the team.
“Impact player for us,” Poles said. “Ability to make plays all over the field in different phases. He’s a guy that I believe is ascending and will continue to grow when he gets into this new defense. I think his game can go to the next level as well.”
Without a first-round pick in the 2023 draft — thank you, Ryan Pace — Gordon became the Bears’ first pick of the Poles era, coming in the second round at No. 39. The second round has been good for Poles. He has found starters in Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
And this brings us to this year.
With receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner drafted this year, the
Bears could have seven second-rounders playing key roles this season. Dexter and Stevenson are entering pivotal third seasons for different reasons, and Brisker must prove he can stay healthy. But if Poles drafted three more “impact players” in Burden, Trapilo and Turner, that could become the story of this draft class, regardless of how good tight end Colston Loveland becomes in Ben Johnson’s offense.
Here is my annual look at the short- and long-term expectations for the Bears’ 2025 draft class, starting with their top four picks. Part 2 will come later this week.
The Bears drafted four players in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft this year.
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