An Overlooked Reason The Chicago Bears Will Likely Take A 1st Round OT
Left tackle is fast becoming the favorite to be the Chicago Bears‘ position of choice with their 25th overall pick in the upcoming draft. You’re starting to see the winds blow in that direction as prominent insiders list it in their mock drafts. The team has met with multiple 1st round options. We already know Ozzy Trapilo likely won’t play this season. Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills are stopgaps on one-year deals. This team needs a true answer on the roster. Their best chance to get it will be with that 25th pick.
For one, most projections have a cluster of quality prospects being available in that area of the 1st round. Names like Caleb Lomu, Max Iheanachor, and Blake Miller are all possibilities. Perhaps Monroe Freeling or Spencer Fano fall for one reason or another. However, there is a deeper strategy to this than people have considered. It isn’t just about them wanting to settle the left tackle spot. There is a wider strategy involved. One that looks to take full advantage of this draft class’s strengths.
The Chicago Bears can afford to gamble waiting at EDGE.
Sure, it would be great if they finally took one in the 1st round in a decade. The problem is two-fold. For one, the list of options available at #25 isn’t likely to be ideal. Projections have as many as five going in the top 24 picks. Would they really want to take the sixth edge rusher over what could be the third or fourth offensive tackle? Then there is the layout of the class itself. Most experts agree that the deepest position by a comfortable margin is edge rusher. That means teams who wait to take one on day two are still likely to last a capable starter. As many as 12 could go in that range, giving the Bears a prime opportunity to still land a good one.
| Round | Player | College | Scouting Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | T.J. Parker | Clemson | A “high-floor” prospect with refined technique; seen as a safe early-to-mid 2nd round value. |
| 2nd | Jaishawn Barham | Michigan | A physical “Joker” defender who converted to edge full-time in 2025; praised for his “violent” playstyle and position versatility. |
| 2nd | R Mason Thomas | Oklahoma | Possesses elite speed-to-power capacity but is currently considered a 2nd-round rotational rusher due to his lighter frame. |
| 2nd | Zion Young | Missouri | Boasts an ideal NFL frame with heavy hands; a consistent fixture in 2nd-round mocks. |
| 2nd | Gabe Jacas | Illinois | A powerful edge setter with a high motor, typically projected in the Pick 40–60 range. |
| 2nd | Malachi Lawrence | UCF | One of the class’s most unique athletes; many view him as a potential “steal” in the 2nd round. |
| 2nd / 3rd | Joshua Josephs | Tennessee | Known for elite length and a massive wingspan; projected as a developmental Day 2 starter. |
| 2nd / 3rd | Keyron Crawford | Auburn | A high-upside ascending prospect; his stock is fluid between the late 2nd and early 3rd rounds. |
| 3rd | Derrick Moore | Michigan | A dominant run defender whose draft stock is tied to his sack production as a senior. |
| 3rd | Dani Dennis-Sutton | Penn State | Offers a pro-ready 270-lb frame but is viewed as a rotational 3rd-round pick until he develops a more consistent rush plan. |
| 3rd | Max Llewellyn | Iowa | Technically refined and assignment-sound; seen as a high-floor value pick in Round 3. |
| 3rd | Romello Height | Texas Tech | A length-based speed rusher who is currently ranked as a late Day 2 prospect. |
The Bears appear to be planning to play the board.
This is something general manager Ryan Poles has done quite well in the past. He took advantage of a very deep running back class last year to snag Kyle Monangai in the 7th round. If you don’t think the board is likely to fall your way, then the best thing to do is not force it. Trust the depth of the class and focus your early efforts on thinner positions. Left tackle is one of them. That group dries up fast after the first two rounds. It would be a similar approach to last year. The Chicago Bears grabbed tight end Colston Loveland early and then shifted to wide receiver and offensive tackle in the 2nd round, two deeper positions.
Obviously, the board can bounce in an unexpected way. Certain teams may take players nobody had going that high. In such a case, the Bears must be prepared to pivot from their original plan. If a top edge rusher somehow falls, they will make the pick. However, if things go as expected, then the plan of action is pretty clear. Grab a left tackle on #25 and then shift to the defensive line on day two. The odds would be in their favor with such an approach. Everything depends on how much they trust their scouting.