LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Across the past three days, Bears general manager Ryan Poles led his fourth NFL Draft at Halas Hall. This one was different than the three before it.
Poles is under pressure to produce a winner in Chicago after the Bears have combined to win just 15 games across the past three seasons. The other new dynamic is the presence of first-year head coach Ben Johnson, who has been a key voice at Poles' side throughout this process.
In their eight-man draft class, the Bears added five players on offense, including with their first three selections, and three on defense. The theme of the Bears' draft haul was that the players fit Johnson's vision.
Here's a breakdown of the Bears' draft class.
Round 1, No. 10 overall: Michigan tight end Colston Loveland
The Bears had plenty of options on the board at No. 10 overall, including Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, but prioritized Loveland's dynamic skill set with their top pick.
Loveland, 21, earned all-Big Ten honors twice at Michigan, and the Bears believe he'll be an excellent fit in new head coach Ben Johnson's scheme.
Loveland will expand the options for Johnson’s offense, allowing the Bears to utilize more 12 personnel that also includes veteran tight end Cole Kmet. The Bears like Loveland's ability as a blocker and as a downfield threat in the passing game.
Quote to note
“I’m the No. 1 fan of that guy, for sure. He’s legit. He’s a stud. I can’t wait to be on to that. I know he’s going to put us in a great position, put Chicago in great position to win games. I’m super excited for it.”
— Loveland on playing for Johnson
Scout’s take
“The more time we spent with him, you get the feel of Gooding, Idaho. The tough, smart, has a presence, competitive. All of the things we are trying to build here, he encompasses that as a person. Not even getting to the field yet, you talk about the cover of the album being your first pick. He embodies that."
— Bears senior director of player personnel Jeff King
Round 2, No. 39 overall: Missouri receiver Luther Burden III
The Bears didn’t have wide receiver as a position of need, but Burden sat above the rest of the pack with a first-round grade.
The 21-year-old Burden earned all-SEC honors twice at Missouri, where he had 192 receptions and 21 touchdowns over three seasons. Luther had a big 2023 season, when he had 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. He had 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games in 2024.
Quote to note
“The field’s an escape for me, always has been, and I needed to hit the field to clear my head for today.”
— Burden on his late-night workout Thursday after being passed up in the first round
Scout’s take
“It’s not hard to see when you watch the ball-in-hand ability. One of the unique things about him is he can win a few ways with the ball in his hand. He can win with speed, he can win with physicality and he can win with elusiveness. Another guy that can separate in routes and produce after the catch with the ball in his hands. Adds another weapon to the room.”
— Bears college scouting director Breck Ackley on Burden
Round 2, No. 56 overall (from Bills): Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo
The Bears addressed a position of need as Poles drafted a prospect from his alma mater Boston College.
Trapilo has the ability to play either tackle position, though he projects to begin at right tackle in his professional career. Chicago has considered moving two-year starting right tackle Darnell Wright to the left tackle spot.
The 6-foot-8 Trapilo impressed the Bears with his discipline at Boston College. He committed zero penalties over 772 snaps last season.
Quote to note
“Being an offensive lineman, you definitely have to play with violence. But it’s a type that of violence that’s poised and under control."
— Trapilo
Scout’s take
“Ozzy is dependable, disciplined, technician, very, very intelligent. He's tough, strong.”
— Poles on Trapilo
Round 2, No. 62 overall (from Bills): Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner
In Turner, the Bears found a player who fits the mold that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants. Turner prides himself on violence and physicality. Though he was set back by a stress fracture in his leg last season, the Bears aren't concerned about his medicals.
Turner noted he's eager to learn from new Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, whose career he has admired from afar.
Quote to note
"Like, kill. Literally just go, go, bro. That's all I'm thinking about as soon as I touch the field, all I do is go. I've been having that mentality since a kid. I don't know what it is. I honestly don't know. It's just a fire inside me. Kill. Take their lunch money."
— Turner on his mindset on the field
Scout’s take
“We want violence, and we want knock-back. If you look at a player like Shemar (Turner), he really embodies those two things.”
— Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol
Round 4, No. 132 overall (from Bills): Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II
After trading back from No. 109 overall in the fourth round, the Bears added an intriguing prospect in Hyppolite, who wasn't invited to the NFL Combine. That was a bit of a surprise to the Bears, but they still zeroed in on him. Hyppolite has impressive sideline-to-sideline speed.
Quote to note
“The only thing I did was just decide what I’m going to do and that was just capitalize on my pro day, make the best of that opportunity and then just call it on the visits and on the Zoom calls and everything that I had throughout this process, and I feel I did that. I put my best foot forward, like I said before. I have a great team around me, have a great support system. They all helped me throughout that process, and we’re here now. I’m definitely blessed for this opportunity and definitely going to make the most of this.”
— Hyppolite on getting snubbed from the NFL Combine
Scout’s take
"We’re getting more than just speed. We’re getting instincts, toughness, a leader that’s really going to help our defense."
— Bears assistant director of college scouting Francis Saint Paul on Hyppolite
Round 5, No. 169 overall (from Bills): UTSA cornerback Zah Frazier
Frazier had six interceptions and showcased great instincts last season, and he backed that up with a 4.34 time in the 40-yard dash.
At 6-foot-3, Frazier has a long frame and the ability to play balls in coverage like a wide receiver. He'll have the opportunity to compete for a role on the Bears’ defense.
Quote to note
“I would say my height, my length and my speed will help me with the pressing and just getting coached up, just getting coached up real good by the coaching staff and that's obviously going to help me and stuff as well. So just taking what I know in and definitely learning, learning, learning, learning what they know and then adding that to my game.”
— Frazier
Scout’s take
“Anytime you can get bigger, longer, faster on the defensive side of the ball, it's a win."
— Koziol on Frazier
Round 6, No. 195 overall: Michigan State offensive lineman Luke Newman
A four-year offensive tackle at Holy Cross, Newman transferred to Michigan State for his graduate transfer year in 2024. He played guard for the Spartans.
Newman was a two-time All-American at the FCS level who earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition during his lone year with Michigan State.
Quote to note
“Holy Cross is home for me. That’s the place that gave me my first shot and let me get my foot in the door in college football and let me grow and succeed as a person and a player. Leaving was hard, for sure. I wanted a chance to showcase more of my abilities at different positions and also take a step up and play against some of the best in the country.”
— Newman
Scout’s take
"It looked the same. That's what really tells you everything you want to know."
— Ackley on Newman's transition to the Big Ten
Round 7, No. 233 overall: Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai
Three years ago, the Chiefs selected running back Isiah Pacheco as a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers. The Bears would love to find that type of value in Monangai, who was also a standout with the Scarlet Knights.
Monangai rushed for a combined 2,541 yards and 21 touchdowns across the last two seasons. He had 14 total touchdowns in the 2024 season, leading the way for Rutgers' offense.
The Bears searched for a running back throughout this draft but kept missing out in the first six rounds. Eventually, they landed Monangai to join their depth chart.
Quote to note
"Having zero career fumbles is something I definitely say with pride."
—Monangai
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.