The 2025 NFL draft is right around the corner, and it’s already shaping up to be a wild first night of action with rumors of potenital trades and shakeups inside the Top 10. For the Chicago Bears, they’re prepared for all scenarios sitting with the 10th overall pick.
The Bears will have no shortage of top prospects at No. 10, although Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren have been linked to Chicago in this pre-draft process. But what happens if Jeanty and Warren are both off the board?
After an offseason where the Bears addressed the offensive and defensive trenches, they’re sitting in a position to go best player available rather than picking for need. There’s also the possibility of trading back from 10th overall, but it sounds like that’s difficult to do this year.
If that’s the case, Chicago will have their pick of prospects to choose from, and it sounds like there’s a dark horse emerging. According to NFL insider Tony Pauline, the Bears are considering Oregon left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. at 10.
Josh Conerly Jr. of Oregon could end up being chosen earlier than most predict, and the expected range for the junior is picks 10 to 25. And while the 10th pick, presently held by the Chicago Bears, seems early, I’m told it is a real possibility. The Bears are looking for a blocker who can play guard or tackle, and that perfectly describes Conerly. He’s presently the No. 1 guard on my board, yet many if not most teams project him at tackle.
I’m told the Bears not only like his skill on the field, but they became enamored with Conerly when he visited the franchise. The three-year starter came across as a seasoned veteran and very professional.
Conerly is a two-year starter at left tackle for the Ducks, and he would provide competition for starter Braxton Jones, who’s coming off a fractured fibula and also entering the final year of his rookie contract. For what it’s worth, Conerly allowed zero pressures when facing projected top-three pick Abdul Carter last season.
Conerly, 21, seems to have endeared himself to general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson and staff during his pre-draft visit, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see the Bears go in that direction. But it’s all contingent on how the draft board falls, which no one has any idea (outside of Cam Ward going No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans).
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Bears could be eyeing OT Josh Conerly Jr. at 10