The 2026 NFL Draft is painfully close to opening its door. As I am writing this post, we have just one more sleep until draft day. I’m not sure how I’ll sleep, especially with the uncertainty that awaits, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. In the meantime, while I am awake, I plan to hunt down the most pertinent rumors that could impact the Chicago Bears.
Perhaps sharing the latest buzz surrounding the offensive linemen who could go in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft is a good place to start:
One thing that seems like a consensus among teams is that an OL run is going to happen on Thursday night, likely starting in the 10–14 range.I’ve had over a dozen executives tell me that in their mock simulations, they’ve had as many as nine OL go in Round 1. pic.twitter.com/VfNEJEC0pD
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 22, 2026I think it is interesting to read this report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who hears that a run on teams taking offensive linemen on Night 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft will likely begin in the 10-14 range. Conveniently, that comes well before the Bears are slated to go on the clock with pick No. 25.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: What happens with the picks made before Chicago gets to make its choice will ultimately tell the front office which way to go. The powers that be at Halas Hall might want to take an offensive lineman early (more on that in a moment), but they might have to pivot if their favorites are off the board. Maybe the run on offensive linemen would be beneficial to the Bears. Perhaps it would push an edge rusher, safety, cornerback, or receiver who otherwise wasn’t expected to tumble down draft boards. The ripple effect of a run on O-linemen could send waves throughout the back end of the first round.
Utah offensive line prospect Caleb Lomu. © Rob Gray-Imagn Images2026 NFL Draft Rumors: Watch Out For a Run on Offensive Linemen
For what it’s worth, Jordan Schultz isn’t the only reporter hearing about a possible run of offensive linemen happening early in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is what ESPN’s Dan Graziano had to say in a report sharing the latest draft-related intel, which included a bold prediction:
I’m predicting at least seven and as many as 10 offensive linemen get picked in the first round. There’s a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots. Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he’s there.
Seeing the Chicago Bears mentioned among teams “that would love” to land an offensive lineman in the first round certainly has my full attention.
Based on recent reporting, it like Chicago could have eyes for an offensive lineman early in the 2026 NFL Draft. In early April, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin said not to rule out the Bears taking an offensive tackle with pick No. 25. And that there has been an uptick in insider mock drafts that send an offensive tackle to Chicago isn’t something I’m willing to brush off as just a coincidence. I’m not saying that there is a fire situation going on, but it would be foolish not to check in on where this smoke is coming from so close to the NFL Draft.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesWith that being said, let’s explore some Round 1 options who could be on the board when the Bears go on the clock with pick No. 25:
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama — Bears General Manager Ryan Poles got a good look at Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at Alabama’s pro day event in March. The consensus All-American has been connected to the Bears by a growing number of NFL mock draft authors. Proctor has made 39 starts at left tacle since the start of the 2023 season and has missed just two games due to injuries. He checks a lot of boxes for the Bears. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State — Days after laying eyes on Proctor, the Bears’ GM was front and center at Arizona State’s pro day. That’s where Max Iheanachor was a main attraction. The Nigerian-born offensive tackle prospect has been primarily a right tackle, making 26 starts at the position since the start of the 2024 campaign. However, he did make one start at left tackle in 2023, so he isn’t wholly unfamiliar with the position. Iheanachor was a Senior Bowl standout and has the traits that this front office has traditionally valued highly in previous drafts.SUBSCRIBE TO THE BN BEARS PODCAST: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Blake Miller, Clemson — A right tackle by trade (each of his 54 starts in college were at RT) might scare off some talent evaluators. However, Bears fans probably recall that Ozzy Trapilo was primarily a right tackle at Boston College before Chicago put him on a developmental path to play left tackle. We discussed one mock draft that connected Miller and the Bears earlier in the month. Monroe Freeling, Georgia — This UGA product is large (6-7, 315 pounds) and in charge. His NextGen Stats athleticism score was the second-best among offensive tackle prospects who participated at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Unlike some offensive tackle prospects, Freeling has notable experience at left tackle — where he made 13 starts in 2025 and five more in 2024. Freeling has just one season under his belt as a full-time starter, but could be a worthwhile developmental prospect for a team that believes in its coaching and development staff. Freeling might be long gone by the time the Bears go on the clock, but there is a non-zero chance he slips. PFT’s one (and only!) mock draft has Freeling falling to the Buffalo Bills with pick No. 26. Caleb Lomu, Utah — ESPN’s Matt Miller has nailed the Bears’ last two picks in his final mock drafts. Not only did he stick the landing with tight end Colston Loveland, but he also had them picking Rome Odunze in 2024. Witht hat being said, Miller’s final mock draft has the Bears taking Utah’s Caleb Lomu.Hence then, the article about insiders believe there will be a run on offensive linemen in the 2026 nfl draft and the bears would love to be part of it was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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