5 hidden gems the Chicago Bears can look to steal in the draft, including some Day 3 offensive linemen who caught Ben Johnson's attention (2025)

The 2025 NFL Draft is two days away from kicking off with the first-round starting on Thursday evening.

While the first-round always gets all the love and attention, and for good reason, championship rosters are built on Days 2-3.

Teams that can hit on late-round talent are able to stock the roster up with quality talent, which arguably holds more value than having a few star players. That being said, for a team like the Chicago Bears aiming to climb out of the NFC North depths, nailing the picks on Day 3 is going to be critical.

The Bears aren't the only team who looked into Dylan Fairchild on a pre-draft visit, and his stock is continuing to climb into the late fourth-round range. Ideally, the Bears are looking to have this guy on the board in the fifth-round based on his offensive fit.

Fairchild was a two-year starter at left guard for the Georgia Bulldogs, a program that has consistency produced NFL starters on the offensive line. He excelled in Georgia's inside zone scheme and was incredible at getting to the second level as a run blocker.

Those kind of traits and athletic ability will appeal to Ben Johnson, and starting out behind a guy like Joe Thuney will do wonders for Fairchild's development as a pass protector. Overall, there's a lot to like in his ability to develop into a starting-caliber LG.

Draft Range: Early/Mid 5th-Round

Finding a power-back seems like one of the top goals early in the draft for the Bears, which makes things interesting after seeing the team show interest in SMU's Brashard Smith. On Monday, Smith evenconsidered his trip to Chicago a "Top-2" visit he's been on leading up to the draft.

At 5'10, 194 pounds, Smith is far from the other backs the Bears have zeroed in on in this class. He's by no means a bruiser back and more so fits what the team already has in D'Andre Swift, an explosive homerun hitter who excels working out of the backfield.

As a former wide receiver, Smith is a true dual-threat weapon to consider adding to an offense on Day 3. Having a guy like this in the room gives the Bears a really strong depth piece in case anything were to happen to Swift, or if the team eventually moves on from Swift, while still drafting their power back early in the draft.

Draft Range: Late 5th-Round

This is a prospect that's quickly becoming one of my favorite late-round values. Jalin Conyers is a do-it-all player on offense. While he's going to be listed as tight end, Conyers has experience playing all over the field and is even a former high school QB.

This might be the closest prospect we've seen to Taysom Hill in New Orleans, a player who revolutionized the game by literally doing everything.

When discussing Tyler Warren from Penn State, Ben Johnson was praising Warren's ability to line up all over the field. If the Bears don't get the chance to draft Warren in the first-round, Conyers offers the same value for an innovative play-caller.

Draft Range: Mid 6th-Round

As far as the wide receiver position goes, the Bears are set for 2025 with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay. Although, the team could draft a Day 3 developmental player who could bring some more speed to the room.

One prospect that makes sense for that role, who met with the team, is Virginia Tech's Jaylin Lane. Lane had a strong Combine showing posting a 4.36 40-yard-dash along with an 11 foot broad jump.

On the field, Lane's speed allowed him to record 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two seasons. He even has some backfield experience as a gadget player along with returning experience that he can bring to the table as well for any NFL team that drafts him.

Draft Range: Mid 6th-Round

One more offensive lineman to watch out for as a potential option for Chicago is Addison West out of Western Michigan. West will likely be a seventh-rounder or priority undrafted free agent for the Bears after having him in during the local pro day.

The Bears usually like bringing in UDFAs who were local pro day guys and West is the one to keep an eye on for this year's class.

West has guard and center experience during his time at Western Michigan and did not allow a single sack over the last two seasons combined. He's also a well refined run blocker who constantly hunts for work. Ben Johnson would love having this guy.

Draft Range: Late 7th-Round / UDFA