{"id":23001,"date":"2025-05-04T11:42:29","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T11:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/23001\/"},"modified":"2025-05-04T11:42:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T11:42:29","slug":"how-ryan-poles-ben-johnson-built-their-draft-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/23001\/","title":{"rendered":"How Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson built their draft board"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson sat beside each other in front of the media at Halas Hall less than an hour after the 2025 NFL draft concluded.<\/p>\n

After a brief opening statement, the first question arrived: \u201cWhat did you guys learn about each other in your first draft doing this together?\u201d<\/p>\n

Poles turned to Johnson, a grin on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did we learn?\u201d Poles repeated.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bears general manager shared a brief moment of eye contact and a laugh with his first-year coach. There was probably more behind that laugh than either cared to share publicly. A lot of what happens behind closed doors in an NFL front office never escapes the building.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been a pleasure to work with,\u201d Poles said. \u201cI\u2019m grateful for that and our relationship as we continue to build that through this journey. Yeah, it\u2019s been smooth. It feels natural.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bears drafted Michigan tight end Colston Loveland<\/a> with the No. 10 pick, then selected Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III at No. 39 a day later. In all, the Bears added eight players<\/a> to the roster.<\/p>\n

Ever since Johnson and Poles first spent time together over a Zoom interview in January, they have envisioned what this pairing would look like.<\/p>\n

One of the first things Johnson said in that interview was this: \u201cI want to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

What followed has been a three-month crash course in getting to know each other. They didn\u2019t need long to determine they were a good fit. Johnson never even interviewed in person before taking the job<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was just a vibe to it that was awesome,\u201d Poles said of their initial interview.<\/p>\n

When Johnson was thinking about head coaching jobs, he wasn\u2019t looking for full control over player personnel or to bring in a GM who would be seen as his guy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just need somebody that I can trust,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

He believes he found that in Poles.<\/p>\n

\u2018It paints a picture\u2019
\n\"BearsBears general manager Ryan Poles, left, and assistant GM Ian Cunningham walk the field before a game against the Commanders. (Brian Cassella\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

NFL teams spend a calendar year preparing for each draft. The Bears have 12 college scouts who crisscross the country during college football season.<\/p>\n

Throwing a new coach into the mix in January can cause an abrupt shake-up in the types of players a team looks for. Johnson will have different preferences than predecessor Matt Eberflus. So will his assistant coaches.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the best things we did was, when they first got here, we had (defensive coordinator Dennis Allen) and the whole defensive coaching staff come into the draft room and they met with all of our staff and our personnel people and told us what they were looking for at each position,\u201d assistant GM Ian Cunningham said.<\/p>\n

They did the same thing with first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Johnson spent extensive time with the scouting department. Those sessions were invaluable.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt paints a picture for us so we can go out and get the perfect player for us,\u201d Cunningham said.<\/p>\n

Johnson spent seven years as a Miami Dolphins assistant coach from 2012-18. During that time, the Dolphins made only one playoff appearance. He saw head coaches Joe Philbin and Adam Gase lose their jobs. After moving to Detroit in 2019, he watched the Lions fire coach Matt Patricia during the 2020 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past, when I\u2019ve seen it not work, there\u2019s been dysfunction, there\u2019s been an element of disconnect between the GM, the head coach, other executives,\u201d Johnson said on the day he was introduced at Halas Hall.<\/p>\n

In choosing the Bears as his preferred landing spot, Johnson was willing to believe he and Poles can see the game through the same lens.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t happen overnight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s spending time and watching tape together to figure out what direction we need to go in,\u201d Poles said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have different opinions, we\u2019re going to see players differently, but it\u2019s coming together, watching tape and figuring out what\u2019s best for the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n

The GM has to know what will make life easier for the coach. Poles appreciates how Johnson sees the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can we put the opposing defense in a bind?\u201d Poles framed it.<\/p>\n

Poles felt that bind when his Bears defenses went up against Johnson\u2019s Lions offenses. A good offense can beat a defense in multiple ways. Often that means making the defense pick its poison.<\/p>\n

All of those conversations helped inform Poles and his front office. Johnson might be a new voice in the room, but he also entered into what he saw as a well-oiled machine.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first exposure in the draft room with his crew was before the combine (in February),\u201d Johnson said. \u201cTo see the consistency with which the schedule comes and the structure, everything is working.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a flow. There\u2019s a rhythm to all the madness behind what we do and how we do it. And Ryan really is all the brains behind that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018A more potent offense\u2019
\n\"Tight<\/p>\n

Tight end Colston Loveland, selected by the Bears with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft, is introduced at Halas Hall on April 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Tight<\/p>\n

Tight end Colston Loveland, selected by the Bears with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft, is introduced at Halas Hall on April 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)Tight end Colston Loveland, selected by the Bears with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft, is introduced at Halas Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland is tackled by Oregon defensive back Kobe Savage during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (David Guralnick\/The Detroit News\/TNS)<\/p>\n

\"NFL<\/p>\n

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Colston Loveland being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the No. 10 pick during the first round of the NFL draft on April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo\/Jeff Roberson)<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans attending a Bears draft party at Soldier Field watch highlights of Colston Loveland after the Michigan tight end was selected at No. 10 on April 24, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Bears<\/p>\n

Bears tight end Colston Loveland poses for a photograph with his brothers Cayden, left, and Cash after being introduced at Halas Hall on April 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The family of tight end Colston Loveland listen as the Bears first-round draft pick is introduced at Halas Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Tight<\/p>\n

Tight end Colston Loveland, selected by the Bears with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft, is introduced at Halas Hall on April 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Colston<\/p>\n

Colston Loveland speaks to the media during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Photo by Michael Hickey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland maneuvers against Arkansas State safety Justin Parks on Sept. 14, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo\/Al Goldis)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland scores a touchdown against Michigan State on Oct. 21, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (Al Goldis\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland reaches for yardage after a catch as Rutgers linebacker Deion Jennings defends in the first half in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)<\/p>\n

\"Bears<\/p>\n

Bears tight end Colston Loveland steps up to the microphone as he is introduced at Halas Hall on April 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The family of tight end Colston Loveland listens in as the Bears first-round draft pick is introduced at Halas Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Bears introduce tight end Colston Loveland at Halas Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Tight<\/p>\n

Tight end Colston Loveland, selected by the Bears with the No. 10 pick in the NFL draft, is introduced at Halas Hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan's<\/p>\n

Michigan’s Colston Loveland, left, is tackled by Washington’s Dominique Hampton during the CFP national championship game on Jan. 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston. (Logan Riely\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (18) catches a 54-yard touchdown reception against Indiana defensive back Louis Moore on Oct. 14, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Paul Sancya\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (18) runs through the tackle of Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey (44) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 19<\/p>\n

Tight end Colston Loveland, selected by the Bears with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft, is introduced at Halas Hall on April 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Two days before the draft, a reporter asked Cunningham specifically about the running back position.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe value is if he\u2019s a playmaker and a really good player, you take the really good player,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of our process. Our philosophy is best player available. Yeah, we weigh premium position versus nonpremium position, but at the end of the day, it\u2019s a playmaker. If we see him in that role, I think you can go take a playmaker that\u2019s not a premium position.\u201d<\/p>\n

Media and fans alike thought running back was an area of need. In the hours before the draft, there were rumblings that the Bears were looking into the possibility of moving up from No. 10. At least one national report<\/a> suggested they could be targeting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Several sportsbooks made the Bears the betting favorite to land him.<\/p>\n

But when the draft started, pick after pick went by and the Bears stayed put. The Las Vegas Raiders took Jeanty at No. 6. Additionally, three offensive tackles went in the top nine: LSU\u2019s Will Campbell, Missouri\u2019s Armand Membou and Texas\u2019 Kelvin Banks Jr.<\/p>\n

Poles later confirmed he made some calls, although he didn\u2019t mention any players by name. Moving up likely would\u2019ve cost the Bears one of their two second-round picks and probably more. The asking price was too costly for Poles\u2019 taste.<\/p>\n

After the draft, Poles was happy with how the Bears let their board \u2014 and all the predraft work with Johnson \u2014 \u201cspeak to us.\u201d When they were on the clock at No. 10, the board told them to go with Loveland.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe stayed as disciplined as I\u2019ve ever seen in terms of staying true to how we set it up,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

\"MissouriMissouri wide receiver Luther Burden III runs the ball against Oklahoma on Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (L.G. Patterson\/AP)<\/p>\n

That adherence to the board led to \u201csome really cool situations,\u201d Poles said, such as landing Burden, who had been seen as a potential first-round pick. The Bears took Burden after two running backs went off the board ahead of them<\/a> in the second round: Ohio State\u2019s Quinshon Judkins at No. 36 and Buckeyes teammate TreVeyon Henderson at No. 38.<\/p>\n

Poles called Burden the \u201cclear\u201d best player remaining on their board.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes you want to pick for need, but we didn\u2019t necessarily do that,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI feel really good about the direction we went and every decision we made along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three-month crash course led them to Loveland and Burden \u2014 an athletic pass-catching tight end and arguably the draft\u2019s best yards-after-catch receiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen and I spent a lot of time watching these players,\u201d Poles said of Loveland and Burden. \u201cOur scouts did a great job identifying them, and then we talked about how they fit and what we\u2019re trying to do if the opportunity popped up to select them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when you talk about run after the catch, when you talk about separation, when you talk about creating explosives, all of those things are really positive for us to be a more potent offense.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to envision them in a Johnson offense. Now all he has to do is make it work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson sat beside each other in front of the media at Halas Hall less…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23002,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2070],"tags":[374,1035,692,391,2493,590,7,277,6,15,1034],"class_list":{"0":"post-23001","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago-bears","8":"tag-bears","9":"tag-ben-johnson","10":"tag-chicago","11":"tag-chicago-bears","12":"tag-chicagobears","13":"tag-colston-loveland","14":"tag-football","15":"tag-luther-burden","16":"tag-nfl","17":"tag-nfl-draft","18":"tag-ryan-poles"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114449386319839005","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23001\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}