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"path": "/bears/2026/02/12/bears-nfl-mock-draft-pick-25-overall-fernando-mendoza-tj-parker-indiana-clemson-april",
"publishedAt": "2026-02-12T12:01:00.000Z",
"site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
"textContent": "<p>The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/02/08/super-bowl-lx-seahawks-mvp-kenneth-walker-iii-powers-offense-to-win-super-bowl-mvp\" target=\"_blank\" >Super Bowl</a> is over and the NFL Scouting Combine takes place at the end of the month.</p><p>There’s no better time, then, for the Sun-Times’ first mock draft of the season — complete with a pick for whom the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears\" target=\"_blank\" >Bears</a> will take No. 25 overall in April:</p><p><b>1. Raiders — Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza</b><br>A franchise that has started quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Gardner Minshew, Desmond Ridder, Geno Smith and Kenny Pickett in the last three years gets its shot at a star.</p><p><b>2. Jets —Ohio State EDGE Arvell Reese</b><br>Reese is a project as a pass rusher — he had only ½ sack to his name before this year — but Micah Parsons was once upon a time, too.</p><p><b>3. Cardinals — Miami T Francis Mauigoa</b><br>Spending the No. 3 pick on a right tackle is a bit unusual, but the Cardinals need to block for their quarterback, whomever it may be.</p><p><b>4. Titans — Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey</b><br>Rather than adding a receiver to help second-year quarterback Cam Ward, the Titans and defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh land the FBS sacks leader from 2025.</p><p><b>5. Giants — Utah T Spencer Fano</b><br>A left tackle will help new coordinator Matt Nagy maximize the trio of quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo.</p><p><b>6. Browns — Ohio State WR Carnell Tate</b><br>The Browns stay close to home to land Tate, who immediately becomes their most recognizable wideout in years.</p><p><b>7. Commanders — Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.</b><br>No one had more pressures last year than Bain. Only six NFL teams had fewer pressures than the Commanders did last season.</p><p><b>8. Saints — Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love</b><br>The franchise that drafted Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara will pass the torch from the latter to the Notre Dame star to help quarterback Tyler Shough.</p><p><b>9. Chiefs — Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson</b><br>The Chiefs need more offensive play-makers, be it Love or Tyson, who fought through injuries in each of his past three college seasons.</p><p><b>10. Bengals — Ohio State S Caleb Downs</b><br>It would be irresponsible to give the Bengals anyone but a defender. Like the Bengals, they lean on the state university to answer their biggest problem.</p><p><b>11. Dolphins — Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy</b><br>The Dolphins have a defensive-minded head coach in Jeff Hafley and two starting outside cornerbacks who are set to become free agents.</p><p><b>12. Cowboys — Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk</b><br>The Cowboys double down on their biggest mistake of last year, trading Micah Parsons, by reaching a bit to land Faulk.</p><p><b>13. Rams (via Falcons) — LSU CB Mansoor Delane</b><br>With an embarrassment of riches at the offensive skill positions, the Rams turn their attention to defense with their first of two first-round picks.</p><p><b>14. Ravens — USC WR Makai Lemon</b><br>Last year, Zay Flowers became the first Ravens receiver ever (who wasn’t primarily a returner) picked to the Pro Bowl this year. They need more help, though.</p><p><b>15. Buccaneers — Ohio State LB Sonny Styles</b><br>He makes sense for the Bucs whether or not veteran Lavonte David decides to return for another season.</p><p><b>16. Jets (via Colts) — Alabama QB Ty Simpson</b><br>The Jets, as of now, are trapped in quarterback hell. If they don’t add a veteran to climb out (Kyler Murray? Tua Tagovailoa?) they have to take a swing here.</p><p><b>17. Lions — Alabama T Kadyn Proctor</b><br>Taylor Decker is weighing whether or not to retire. If he does, the Lions need to find his replacement, whether it’s in the draft or free agency.</p><p><b>18. Vikings — Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren</b><br>The Vikings’ tribute to safety Harrison Smith at the end of the season might have foretold his retirement.</p><p><b>19. Panthers — Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell</b><br>Only the Jets and 49ers had fewer sacks than the Panthers did last season. Howell, who has 27 career sacks, can help.</p><p><b>20. Cowboys (via Packers) — Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor</b><br>The Cowboys wouldn’t draft two edge rushers in Round 1, right? Right? Their top three pass rushers, per Pro Football Focus, are 27 or older.</p><p><b>21. Steelers — Washington WR Denzel Boston</b><br>Mike McCarthy needs to give the Steelers quarterback (Aaron Rodgers again?) young, reliable targets.</p><p><b>22. Chargers — Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane</b><br>Jim Harbaugh loves setting the tone on the offensive line, and Ioane can do just that for the Bolts’ head coach</p><p><b>23. Eagles — Clemson CB Avieon Terrell</b><br>The question isn’t whether Terrell is worthy — it’s whether the Eagles would spend a first-round pick on someone who’d be their third cornerback.</p><p><b>24. Browns (via Jaguars) — Arizona State T Max Iheanachor</b><br>Iheanachor was born in Nigeria and didn’t play football until junior college. He’s the kind of gamble that teams with two first-round picks can afford.</p><p><b>25. Bears — Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker</b><br>The Bears have two primary offseason needs that are independent of their ability to re-sign their own free agents: left tackle and edge rusher. In this scenario, Parker — and, as a close second, Missouri defensive end Zion Young — is the best available player at one of those two spots.</p><p>Parker had 11 sacks in 2024 but posted only five last year. He was one of the standouts of the Senior Bowl, though, eager to prove that his high-end production was no fluke.</p><p>The Bears need both talent and depth on the edges, and figure to eye trades and free agency to fix the problem first. Drafting Parker would give the Bears a chance to find a long-term solution.</p><p><b>26. Bills — Clemson DT Peter Woods</b><br>If the Bills are comfortable with his Woods’ shorter-than-ideal arms, he’d make sense on a defensive line that needs help.</p><p><b>27. 49ers — Missouri EDGE Zion Young</b><br>The 49ers had the third-worst pressure percentage in the NFL last year and will need to give new coordinator Raheem Morris some pass-rush oomph.</p><p><b>28. Texans — Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald</b><br>McDonald, who was given PFF’s best run grade in FBS last year, could help keep the Texans’ defense atop the league.</p><p><b>29. Rams — Tennessee CB Colton Hood</b><br>The Rams take their second cornerback of the round in an attempt to shore up their defense to try Cto win perhaps the NFL’s toughest division.</p><p><b>30. Broncos — Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq</b><br>The Broncos reunite Sadiq with quarterback Bo Nix, his teammate on the 2023 version of the Ducks.</p><p><b>31. Patriots — Utah T Caleb Lomu</b><br>The Pats say they won’t move last year’s first-round pick, Will Campbell, off left tackle. Lomu can play on the right.</p><p><b>32. Seahawks — San Diego State CB Chris Johnson</b><br>The champs have three pending free agents at cornerback and could fill a need if either of Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen or Josh Jobe leave.</p>",
"title": "NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Whom do the Bears draft at No. 25?",
"updatedAt": "2026-02-12T12:01:01.433Z"
}