Windy City Gridiron
WCG’s lead draft analyst compares the early-round running back options for the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears find themselves in a position of need at running back heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Though D’Andre Swift had his moments in 2024, he didn’t live up to expectations upon signing with Chicago in free agency. With the addition of Ben Johnson as the team’s head coach — who saw significant success with backfield duos as the Lions’ offensive coordinator — it seems likely the Bears will look to follow suit.
It doesn’t hurt to mention that Swift overlapped previously with Johnson in Detroit in 2022, during which the former served as a rotational back in the latter’s committee. When you combine that with the fact that the 2025 draft figures to be one of the best running back classes in recent memory, it makes sense for the Bears to upgrade the position.
With four picks in the top 75 and three picks in the top 50 selections, the Bears are in a great position to add a highly-touted running back prospect early in the draft. Which one should they target, though?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Bears taking each of the top running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pros
Jeanty is the consensus top running back prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. To put it lightly, his performance at Boise State last year will be talked about for years to come. He is an extremely well-rounded back with the speed, agility, vision, power and contact balance to instantly be an impact player at his position. The chance to select a blue-chip player at a position of need could be too enticing for the Bears to pass up, if he’s available.
Cons
There’s a pretty good chance Jeanty doesn’t fall to the Bears at No. 10. Even if he does, the pick will have its doubters. The main objection used is that he is a non-Power 4 player who plays a position that doesn’t necessarily have tremendous value. There have only been six running backs selected in the top ten in the last ten drafts, and only two of them spent more than five seasons with the team that drafted them. That’s a bold investment to make in Round 1.
Pros
With his combination of size, power and speed, Hampton might just be the most physically-gifted running back in the 2025 draft. He’s an aggressive downhill runner with a well-built frame and very good contact balance. In addition to that, he’s a 4.4 athlete with great burst hitting the open running lanes. He also brings considerable upside on passing downs, as he’s creative after the catch and is a high-effort pass protector out of the backfield.
Cons
You’ll face the same “running back in Round 1” arguments with Hampton that I mentioned with Jeanty. Adding to that, Hampton would generally...
