The 2024 NFL Draft just ended, but it's never too early to start looking ahead to next year. Scouts and draft analysts have already started, and according to Matt Miller of ESPN, next year's draft class might be the defensive equivalent of the draft we just saw, which began with an unprecedented run on offensive players.
I'm not doing a true 2025 ranking yet, but have players in Tiers. And let me tell you--the talent on defense next year is INSANE.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 30, 2024
As good as '24 was on offense, '25 is like that on defense.
This is great news for Chicago Bears fans. The offense looks set up for sustained success, at least on paper. It's on the defensive side of the ball where question marks remain. And if Miller is right about next year's draft class, then the Bears should be able to add a premium pass rusher or 3-tech to the roster after spending just one pick on a defensive player in 2024.
A lot can change between now and next April. Players who seem like locks to go in the Top 10 may not be drafted until the third round. But for now, here are a few defensive prospects for Bears fans to watch during the 2024 CFB season.
JT Tuimoloau - Defensive End, Ohio State
Tuimoloau was already viewed as a top defensive prospect heading into the 2024 draft but he decided to return to school for one more year. He's got great size at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds and he plays with a relentless motor. In three years at Ohio State he's totaled 12 sacks and 22 tackles for loss, and 2024 could be his breakout year.
Jack Sawyer - Defensive End, Ohio State
Luckily for Bears fans, they can watch two of the top defensive prospects at the same time. Sawyer checks in at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds but needs a little more refinement to his game. If he gets stronger and works on stacking pass rush moves and counters, he could be in the mix for a Top 15 selection.
Deone Walker - Defensive Tackle, Kentucky
Unless things go horribly wrong for Chicago in 2024, they may not be able to draft Walker, but I would be remiss to leave him off a list of top defensive prospects. Walker is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds. In his sophomore year at Kentucky, he racked up 51 pressures and 7.5 sacks, ridiculous numbers for a defensive tackle. With another season like that, he should lock up a Top 5 selection.
Mason Graham - Defensive Tackle, Michigan
Right now, Graham seems to be the consensus #1 defensive tackle heading into the 2024 CFB season, and for good reason. He's scored highly as both a pass rusher and run stuffer and has good production. However, one thing I would like to see in 2024 is if he can handle an increased workload. While playing on a stacked Michigan defense, Graham rotated with his teammates and could be kept relatively fresh throughout games. Can he be a true 3-down lineman, play through exhaustion, and still beat his man? Hopefully, we find out soon.