The Chicago Bears have done their homework on some of the top offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft class and might not have a chance to land an ideal option with the 25th overall pick depending on how the board shakes out.
The Chicago Bears have done their homework on some of the top offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft as the team stares down an uncertain future at the left tackle position.
General manager Ryan Poles was the only general manager to attend the Alabama Pro Day, where he got his eyes on Bama's massive left tackle Kadyn Proctor. A few days later, Poles attended the Arizona State Pro Day, where it was revealed the Bears intended to bring offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in on a 30 visit as well.
Last week, another offensive tackle popped up on the Bears' radar when the team hosted Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu on a 30 visit . It's clear offensive tackle is becoming a legit position to watch for Chicago with the 25th overall pick in the first-round.
However, latest intel from NFL insider Albert Breer hints that the Bears might not even get a chance to land one of their top tackle prospects they have in consideration.
"So if there is movement in the second 10 picks-and I expect there to be some-it could be generated by the tackles," Breer wrote on Monday . "Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor will go higher than I think some people have him right now. He's wildly talented, though there have been discipline/entitlement questions surrounding him. And then you have Georgia's Monroe Freeling and Utah's Caleb Lomu, who are both very raw but have more left tackle potential than presumed top linemen."
I think Breer's comments are logical. Looking at the offensive tackle class, Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano are two players in consideration to be Top-10 picks. After that, you have Proctor, who's ceiling is as high as the Cleveland Browns at sixth overall with a floor of the Detroit Lions at 17th overall . Freeling will fall somewhere in that Top-15 mix.
Then, it just takes two teams within picks 15-24 ( Panthers , Cowboys, Steelers , Eagles?) to take a tackle such as Lomu and Max Iheanachor to really screw up the Bears' plans. By that point, Chicago will be looking at the seventh offensive tackle like Blake Miller, who I think is a really strong player and will be selected in the backend of the first-round.
For Chicago, it's worth evaluating whether or not it's worth taking the sixth/seventh-best offensive tackle over say the first/second-best safety or a top edge rusher. And that's just discussing two other positions of need. The Bears' BPA approach might allow the team to attack a different position entirely such as wide receiver or cornerback.
The closer we get to the draft the more it sounds like these tackles will go higher than expected. As much smoke as the Bears are throwing at the position, I'd be shocked if Chicago comes out of the first-round with a new offensive tackle.
