Forging the Spear: Defensive Targets for the Bears at Pick 10 (Part I)
- peytonpatterson85
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
As the Chicago Bears sit at the precipice of draft night with the 10th overall pick, the conversation swirls mostly around offense — weapons, protectors, and playmakers for Caleb Williams. But let us not overlook the war in the trenches, where games are often won and dynasties are built. Ryan Poles has made it clear: this defense must be defined by waves of pass rushers, relentless and unforgiving. Even after fortifying the line with Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and a savvy free agency signing in Grady Jarrett, the hunt for youth and future firepower remains alive.
Here we examine four defensive prospects that could factor into the Bears’ decision at pick 10 — a blend of high-floor disruptors, athletic marvels, and players whose projection hinges between promise and peril.
Mason Graham: The Craftsman of Chaos
If there’s a safe bet in this year’s defensive class, it might be Mason Graham. There’s a blue-collar steadiness to the Michigan defensive tackle, a player whose game mirrors the very ethos Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have tried to instill in this roster. Graham is not just a flash of brilliance — he is a constant, disruptive force. Over three seasons, his production climbed steadily, culminating in All-American honors in 2024 and a finalist nod for both the Bednarik and Outland Trophies.
The Bears already fortified their interior with the signing of Grady Jarrett, but it is worth remembering: Jarrett turns 32 this season, and Father Time remains undefeated. Gervon Dexter continues to tease with raw upside, yet potential alone is a thin shield against the brutal attrition of the NFL trenches. Graham could provide the Bears with both insurance and impact. His blend of quickness, technique, and motor would allow Chicago to finally roll out a legitimate wave of interior rushers alongside Dexter, Jarrett, Andrew Billings, and Odeyingbo.
Graham’s ceiling isn’t built on flashy traits alone; it is anchored in consistency and relentless effort. He would give the Bears a true foundational piece, and at pick 10, there is no shame in selecting the player who might simply be the best football player on the board.
Mykel Williams: The Dangerous Temptation of Traits
There is a certain danger in chasing potential — and Mykel Williams embodies both the allure and the risk of that gamble. Williams checks every box on the measurables sheet: 6-foot-5, long arms, twitchy off the edge. He looks the part of an NFL disruptor, no question. But production? That’s where the conversation gets murkier.
Across three seasons at Georgia, Williams posted modest numbers. His 2024 campaign, which included 5 sacks while battling through an early-season ankle injury, shows flashes of what he could become. Yet for a player with his gifts, you wish the numbers leapt off the page a bit more convincingly.
There’s also the matter of fit. Dennis Allen traditionally favors heavier ends who can hold their ground at 275-285 pounds. At 265, Williams is slightly light for the typical profile, yet this could be exactly why he’s intriguing. As a rotational pass rusher, Williams could be the changeup to Sweat and Odeyingbo’s fastball. Poles has spoken openly about wanting waves of pressure, and Williams would add a new dimension to that rotation.
But make no mistake: spending the 10th overall pick on a situational pass rusher feels rich. The upside is tantalizing, and the league is forever chasing the next athletic marvel, but there’s no escaping the truth — this would be a projection pick, through and through.
Shemar Stewart: Hope Without Substance
There are bets worth making on traits, and then there is the kind of gamble that borders on blind faith. Shemar Stewart, for all his impressive stature and athletic gifts, lands closer to the latter.
At 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, Stewart looks every bit the part of a menacing edge defender. He will step into an NFL locker room and turn heads on day one. But beneath the surface lies a worrying trend: in 37 college games, he mustered just 4.5 sacks. That is not merely underwhelming production — it is nearly nonexistent.
NFL teams will convince themselves that Stewart’s physical profile can be molded into something special. Some will even whisper comparisons to Myles Garrett, praying they can unlock hidden potential. But the Bears, at pick 10, should not be in the business of drafting hope alone. For a third-round swing, Stewart would be an exciting lottery ticket. As a top-10 selection? It would be a fundamental miscalculation.
The Bears’ focus must remain sharp. Stewart is a remarkable athlete, but athleticism without production is a bridge too far, especially for a team looking to contend now.
Jalon Walker: The Swiss Army Knife
Jalon Walker is a fascinating study in versatility. At Georgia, he carved out a hybrid role as both an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher, improving his production each season until winning the Butkus Award in 2024. His 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss last year demonstrate a nose for the ball, and his ability to contribute on special teams speaks to his well-rounded game.
Walker plays with fire, and his athleticism shines at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds. But therein lies the conundrum: where does he fit in the Bears’ defense? Dennis Allen’s scheme likely projects Walker as an inside linebacker, given his size. And while the Bears could use depth behind Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards — especially after Jack Sanborn’s departure to Dallas — it’s hard to envision them addressing this need at pick 10.
Walker’s versatility is appealing, but his lack of a defined position may work against him in Chicago’s plans. He is the type of player you would love to have on your roster, just not at the cost of a premium pick. Expect the Bears to circle back to linebacker depth later in the draft, leaving Walker to find his NFL home elsewhere.
Conclusion
The Bears have constructed a formidable foundation along the defensive front, but their work is far from finished. This draft presents opportunities to deepen the rotation, add youthful energy, and prepare for the inevitable decline of aging veterans. Among the prospects at their disposal, Mason Graham feels like the cleanest fit: a plug-and-play disrupter with the floor of a solid starter and the ceiling of a long-term cornerstone.
Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker bring intrigue, but their projections come with significant questions about role and value at such a premium draft slot. And as for Shemar Stewart, the Bears would be wise to let another team take that swing.
Chicago’s goal is clear: build a defensive front that can wear down opponents from the first snap to the final whistle. With the right addition at pick 10, that vision could come closer to reality.
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