Kaleb Johnson provides the Bears with flexibility when it comes to addressing the 2025 NFL Draft

With the 2025 NFL Draft less than three weeks away, mock drafts and rumors are beginning to heat up with who the Chicago Bears could potentially select with the tenth overall pick. The team is in a terrific spot to where they can either take the best offensive lineman, defensive lineman, tight ends, or running back. If general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are stuck having to choose between running back Ashton Jeanty or tight end Tyler Warren, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson could factor into the decision.

Kaleb Johnson’s talent isn’t that far off from that of Ashton Jeanty

Throughout the current offseason, it has been known that Chicago’s new offensive minded head coach has strongly desired to add a running back to the roster, whether be in free agency or the draft. Johnson, during his time as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, was highly successful when it came to running the ball as Detroit was top five in rushing offense the past three seasons. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, it is believed by some draft pundits that the Bears will select a running back with one of their three picks in the first two rounds, whether be Jeanty in the first or Kaleb Johnson in the second round.

The decision on whether or not to take Jeanty could come down to how highly Poles and Johnson think of Warren, due to the tight end’s elite size and play-making ability. Although Chicago could have the opportunity take a home-run caliber running back, the lack of size could be a concern over the long-term, especially if Johnson continually deploys him on run plays between the tackles. Kaleb Johnson does have a size advantage over Jeanty as the Iowa running back has larger frame and is seen as more of a durable power back on inside rushes.

Although Kaleb Johnson doesn’t have the breakaway speed that Jeanty has, he still has the potential upside to be a reliable all-purpose back. Additionally, The Iowa running back still recorded 21 rushing touchdowns and over 1,500 rushing yards in 12 games last year. Despite Jeanty was the best ball-carrier in 2024, Johnson still was highly productive in a more proven conference, running the ball against Big Ten teams, including Ohio State and UCLA.

Johnson’s capabilities also are similar to current Lions running back David Montgomery, as both backs are able to make plays both on inside and outside rushing plays. Despite Montgomery not being a consistent breakaway runner, he is still able to make significant plays when running the ball, as he averaged over four yards per carry and recorded over 30 rushing touchdowns the last three years. For Kaleb Johson, having consistent and sustained success in 2024 could translate to the same level of consistency if he were to play in Johnson’s offensive scheme.

Jeanty is a more elite back than Johnson, except for the size aspect which could be a huge issue depending on longevity and how Johnson wants to use his backs. Although the Boise State runner can score from anywhere on the field, Kaleb Johnson’s bigger size allows him to be more trusted in red zone and goal line situations. Chicago’s new head coach was able to have constant goal line success in Detroit because Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs were capable running the ball in short-yardage situations.

The other issue that could be a deciding factor into when and which running back the Bears select is the current makeup of the team’s running back position, as there could be some unbalance depending on who they draft. If Chicago take Jeanty tenth overall and they are unable to trade current starter D’Andre Swift, the only trusted power back on the roster would be Roschon Johnson. If the team waits and takes Kaleb Johnson in the second or third round, it will give them an even balance as the Iowa running back is a mix of both Swift and Johnson.

Kaleb Johnson can provide a safe insurance option if the Bears want to target another player at ten

The decision to take Jeanty or Johnson comes down to whether or not a higher rated prospect such as Warren or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham are available at ten. With the current makeup of the 2025 NFL Draft, there is deeper talent early on at the running back position than at the tight end position. Selecting Warren would give Chicago arguably the best tight end combination with starter Cole Kmet while still adding a high-end back in Kaleb Johnson in the second round.

Other than adding a running back, the Bears still need to add a second tight end and will likely add one via the draft, but the options may be limited. The drop off from Warren to the next available tight end in the second or third round is more drastic that the drop off from Jeanty to Johnson. It is that difference that should matter the most to Poles and Johnson, as Kaleb Johnson allows the Bears to walk away with two difference-makers at running back and tight end.

Taking Jeanty isn’t a risk from a running back standpoint, but it is if there is another player at a different position that can be more valuable to Chicago’s roster overall. Kaleb Johnson provides that flexibility if the top back is taken before ten or if Warren is available to have a more complete and high-level personnel on offense. Johnson’s strengths are heightened if the Bears’ passing offense is made better with two top-level tight ends freeing up the middle of the field, making opposing defense more suspectable to rushing plays.

Regardless of who the Chicago Bears select tenth overall on April 24th, the one asset they have is options, especially when it comes to the running back position. Taking Ashton Jeanty would be a terrific selection, but it could come at a cost of taking an even better player trying to address a position of want over need or availability. Kaleb Johnson’s small drop off from the top running back affords the Bears the chance to improve the roster overall by adding a top player that is, along with the talent drop off to the next player at the position being too significant of risk to take.