If All The Top Bears’ Draft Targets Are Gone In The First Round Without A Trade Partner, Who Should They Draft?
Bears first round draft
The Chicago Bears enter the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft with plenty of optimism. On paper, the team has no glaring weaknesses, giving them the flexibility to take the best-player-available (BPA) approach.
Looking specifically in the first round, the Bears could draft a player like Mason Graham, Ashton Jeanty, Will Campbell, Tyler Warren, or even Armand Membou. But what if they were all gone before the Bears’ selection at ten? With Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders likely gone as well, it could leave the Bears in a scenario where they can’t find a trade partner to move back. In that case, there could be a strong argument for just about anyone available, but who do the Bears draft? It could be Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
Is Michigan Cornerback Will Johnson the Answer?
If the Bears commit to the BPA strategy, Will Johnson stands out as a game-changing defensive back who could form a formidable trio alongside Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. A dominant presence at Michigan for three seasons, Johnson is an experienced, dependable, and intelligent corner with natural instincts that make quarterbacks afraid to throw on his side. At 6’2″ and 202 pounds, he’ll be able to match up with virtually any wide receiver on the outside and shut them down. With nine interceptions in 32 games as a starter for Michigan, Johnson has tremendous ball skills that could help take the Bears’ defense to the next level.
That said, he’s not a flawless prospect. Johnson sometimes allows too much separation and lacks elite closing speed compared to some of the more athletic corners in the class. Still, his overall talent and upside make him a highly appealing choice, even if cornerback isn’t Chicago’s most pressing need.
He has a physical demeanor at 6’2, 202lbs and is excellent in both man and zone. He’s more comfortable facing the QB in zone and coming downhill to make plays, imo.e
The first question many people will have is what happens to Tyrique Stevenson? It’s an unfortunate situation for him, but either he’ll be traded or pushed down the depth chart. For one, Stevenson isn’t a bad player. He made one crucial mistake that fans criticize him for, but that doesn’t define who he is as a player.w
However, Will Johnson would be an upgrade over Stevenson. With Jaylon Johnson handling the more physical matchups and Gordon thriving in the slot, Will Johnson would have the freedom to develop into a shutdown outside corner, taking pressure off the rest of the secondary.
Last Word on Will Johnson
If the Bears were to draft Will Johnson, they’d be getting a future star at cornerback—someone who can lock down top receivers, create turnovers, and become a key piece of the defense. His combination of size, athleticism, and scheme fit makes him an ideal prospect for Chicago, potentially solidifying their secondary for years to come.
Forming a Johnson duo in the secondary might become a reality.
