New Ohio State star Quinshon Judkins projected to be first running back selected to Chicago Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft

The Ohio State Buckeyes are projected to have four first-round picks in one of the latest 2025 NFL mock drafts on the web. While it was surprising to see Jordan Hancock join Denzel Burke, the inclusions of Quinshon Judkins and Emeka Egbuka were closer to chalk predictions.

Judkins was more interesting because he was the first of three running backs taken in the first round, and landed with Caleb Williams in Chicago.

The Chicago Bears overhauled its offense this spring, adding running back D'Andre Swift and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. While Swift earned a three-year, $24 million deal in free agency, that didn't stop me from giving the Bears Judkins 20th overall for The 33rd Team .

Here's what I wrote:

Taking a running back in the first round can be considered a luxury, but the importance of a game-changing presence at a locked-in rate for four years makes sense for certain teams.

Chicago, needing to give Caleb Williams everything possible to maximize his talent, can add the best back in a loaded class. Quinshon Judkins' balance, agility, and instincts will immediately put him among the NFL's top handful of ball carriers.

Swift's contract means he's locked in Chicago through 2025, which was a questionable deal from the start. But it doesn't stop the team from adding a better player next to the injury-riddled playmaker. Simply look at Detroit to see a team that doubled down at running back because it's a crucial part of the offensive game plan.

It wouldn't be a bad path for Chicago to continue dumping assets into the offense around Williams. After burning out with Justin Fields in part because they failed to properly give him help, Williams can't have the same experience. Adding the explosive Judkins answers the biggest long-term need on the offensive playmaker corps.

The new Buckeyes back was tremendous at Ole Miss and should bring that same level of impact to Columbus. He totaled 545 carries for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns over two seasons in Oxford. His latest quotes on his expected role is a promising sign he won't be overworked with the Buckeyes.

Would you like this fit? I think it's a great chance to build what should be a top-10 or better offense for the foreseeable future.