Bears' Draft Odds Change, RB Ashton Jeanty Now Top Pick
A significant change in odds suggests that the Chicago Bears will select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty on Thursday night.
With the 10th overall pick, Bears GM Ryan Poles hinted at a potential surprise before the start of the 2025 NFL Draft.
\"I believe this draft will be quite unpredictable,\" Poles stated.
Acquiring the top running back in the draft may require the Bears to make a trade. Chicago holds four of the top 72 picks in the draft.
FanDuel and other sportsbooks have shown confidence in Poles by making the Bears the favorites at -180 to draft Jeanty. At sunrise, they were +340 behind the Jaguars and Raiders.
As of noon on draft day, Jacksonville remained the favorite at -125 to draft Jeanty at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the Bears at -100. DraftKings initially had the Bears at +300.
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Poles made significant changes to the offensive line during the offseason and have indicated a greater focus on the running game. It seems that Poles took Jeanty's open letter to NFL decision-makers to heart.
In his note last week, Jeanty, who came in second in Heisman Trophy voting to Travis Hunter Jr., shared his thoughts with GMs: \"It's tackle football...you know what I'm saying? I'd draft the guy they can't tackle. Thank you for your time.\"
In 2024, Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, with over 1,733 yards after first contact, which would have still led the FBS. Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, a battering ram, came in second to Jeanty in rushing with 1,711 yards.
Prior to the 2024 season, the Bears signed running back D'Andre Swift as a free agent. Given his history with Johnson when they were both in Detroit, Swift would likely still be part of the RB pecking order.
