The Chicago Bears spent free agency building up the offensive line in front of Caleb Williams. Could they target another player to support their young quarterback with their first pick in the 2025 NFL draft?
The Bears “love” Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller. That could position the Heisman runner-up to be Chicago’s pick – if he makes it to the team’s selection at No. 10 overall.
It isn’t clear whether Jeanty will be on the board for Chicago. He has frequently been mocked to the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. It would be a sensible selection for Pete Carroll’s squad, which currently has Raheem Mostert entrenched as its starting running back.
But if Jeanty is available, he would be a significant upgrade for a Bears team that didn’t get the production it expected out of free-agent signing D’Andre Swift. The veteran back averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry while producing 959 rushing yards during his first season in Chicago.
Swift could certainly improve after the additions the Bears made along their interior offensive line. Still, pairing the 26-year-old with a workhorse like Jeanty could give Chicago a dynamic one-two punch for its running game. That would go a long way toward supporting Williams, who was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season.
Jeanty racked up 2,601 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns during his final season at Boise State while handling an FBS-high 397 touches. He is a strong, downhill runner with a great combination of power, vision, elusiveness and speed that should allow him to quickly become one of the league’s best backs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft rumors: Bears ‘love’ RB Ashton Jeanty
The Chicago Bears spent free agency building up the offensive line in front of Caleb Williams. Could they target another player to support their young quarterback with their first pick in the 2025 NFL draft?
The Bears “love” Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller. That could position the Heisman runner-up to be Chicago’s pick – if he makes it to the team’s selection at No. 10 overall.
It isn’t clear whether Jeanty will be on the board for Chicago. He has frequently been mocked to the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. It would be a sensible selection for Pete Carroll’s squad, which currently has Raheem Mostert entrenched as its starting running back.
But if Jeanty is available, he would be a significant upgrade for a Bears team that didn’t get the production it expected out of free-agent signing D’Andre Swift. The veteran back averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry while producing 959 rushing yards during his first season in Chicago.
Swift could certainly improve after the additions the Bears made along their interior offensive line. Still, pairing the 26-year-old with a workhorse like Jeanty could give Chicago a dynamic one-two punch for its running game. That would go a long way toward supporting Williams, who was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season.
Jeanty racked up 2,601 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns during his final season at Boise State while handling an FBS-high 397 touches. He is a strong, downhill runner with a great combination of power, vision, elusiveness and speed that should allow him to quickly become one of the league’s best backs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft rumors: Bears ‘love’ RB Ashton Jeanty
