Bears 2026 Draft Prospect Preview, Part 2: Offensive Tackles

The Bears cycled through four left tackles last season. Four. Braxton Jones won the job in training camp, got benched after four starts, and landed on injured reserve. Theo Benedet replaced him and held the fort for eight games before an injury opened the door for Ozzy Trapilo. Trapilo stepped in during Week 12 and proceeded to look like the long-term answer — earning a 77.7 PFF pass-blocking grade and finishing as the third-highest-graded rookie tackle in the NFL. Then, in the fourth quarter of the Wild Card comeback win over the Packers, Trapilo tore his patellar tendon. The position that had finally found some stability was ripped open again.

Free agency didn't solve it. The Bears re-signed Jones to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, signed Jedrick Wills Jr. — the former 10th overall pick who sat out all of 2025 to recover from a knee injury — on a one-year, $1.2 million contract, and still have Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie on the roster. Ryan Poles described the situation plainly: "There's a lot going on at the left tackle position." ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported that the Bears are heading into the offseason with a genuine training camp competition for the job. None of those competitors are long-term answers. All of them are on short-term contracts or unproven at the NFL level. The Bears need to find Caleb Williams' blindside protector — and the draft is the most realistic place to do it.

The problem: this year's offensive tackle class doesn't have an elite franchise left tackle at the top. What it does have is depth — a cluster of prospects with starting-caliber ability available from the mid-first round well into Day 2. And with four picks in the first three rounds, the Bears are positioned to address the position even if edge rusher takes priority at No. 25.

About This Series

This is the second installment of the Bears 2026 Draft Prospect Preview. In Part 1, we broke down the edge rusher class — widely considered the deepest position group in the draft — and profiled prospects at every level of the board. Today we turn to offensive tackle, where the Bears' need is less about the 2026 starting lineup and more about building for Caleb Williams' long-term protection. Here's the full series:

Part 1: Edge Rushers — A loaded class with answers at every pick.
Part 2: Offensive Tackles (today) — Protecting Caleb Williams' blindside and beyond.
Part 3: Centers — Finding Drew Dalman's long-term replacement.
Part 4: Safety & Defensive Backs — Kevin Byard is gone. The back end needs youth.

The Left Tackle Problem, in Brief

We covered this in detail in Part 4 of the Offseason Needs series and again in the post-free-agency report card. The short version: Trapilo is expected to miss most of the 2026 season. Jones posted a PFF pass-blocking grade of 80.8 in 2024 before injuries derailed him, but was benched after four terrible starts in 2025 and ended the year on injured reserve. Wills was the 10th overall pick in 2020 and started 57 games for Cleveland, but tore his MCL in 2023, played just five games in 2024, and sat out all of 2025 to recover. Benedet is a capable run blocker but a below-average pass protector — Ben Johnson chose to start Joe Thuney at left tackle over Benedet in the Divisional Round, which tells you where the coaching staff's confidence sits.

The right side of the line is settled. Darnell Wright is entrenched at right tackle and in line for a major extension. Jonah Jackson is locked in at right guard. Joe Thuney owns the left guard spot. This is specifically a left tackle problem — and center isn't far behind it. Garrett Bradbury was acquired from New England following Drew Dalman's shocking retirement, but Bradbury is 30 years old, graded below league average in 2025, and is on a one-year deal. He's a stopgap, not a solution — and the Bears will likely look to the draft to find his replacement as well, which is why we'll cover the center class in Part 3 of this series.

Back to the blindside. The Wills-Jones-Benedet competition will produce a bridge starter, but what the Bears really need is a draft pick who can step in and contribute right away. Unless an unexpected stellar training camp performance from one of the bridge candidates shakes things up, the Bears should be looking for someone who can push for playing time as a rookie — not a multi-year development project.

One more consideration that matters for every prospect we'll profile here: Ben Johnson's offense runs a zone-heavy blocking scheme. Prospects who thrive in zone concepts — lateral movement, reach blocks, combo blocks, athleticism in space — fit significantly better than pure man-blocking maulers who win with power alone.

Gone Before 25: The Top Tier

Two offensive tackles are projected to come off the board before the Bears pick at 25 — though both carry significant position ambiguity that complicates their evaluations.

Francis Mauigoa — Miami (FL) — OT — Junior

6-5½, 329 lbs | Arms: 33¼" | Did not participate in combine athletic testing

Mauigoa is the most likely offensive lineman to be the first one drafted, and he might not even play tackle in the NFL. The Miami right tackle has a massive lower body, a firm base, and the kind of power that uproots defenders in the run game. He started all 16 games in 2025 and allowed just two sacks while helping lead the Hurricanes to the national championship game. Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network's lead draft analyst, ranked him 10th overall on his latest top-50 board and wrote that he "should immediately be a dominant run blocker in the NFL."

The catch: most evaluators believe Mauigoa projects better as a guard than a tackle at the next level. He has average foot quickness and is more of a one-track player at the second level. He didn't participate in any athletic testing or on-field drills at the combine, which means teams couldn't compare his movement skills directly against the other top tackles. Mauigoa himself told reporters in Indianapolis: "I play right tackle. It would be cool if I stay at tackle but if guard is the way I get into the game, I'm going to give it my all." He's a Day 1 starter regardless of position — but for a Bears team specifically looking for a left tackle, Mauigoa isn't the answer.

Spencer Fano — Utah — OT/IOL — Junior

6-5½, 311 lbs | Arms: 32⅛" | 40-yard dash: 4.91 sec | 10-yard split: 1.72 sec | RAS: 9.76

Fano won the Outland Trophy in 2025, was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, and earned First-Team All-America honors. He's a scheme-versatile, explosive people mover with what PFF described as "All-Pro potential." His combine testing was outstanding — a 4.91-second 40 with a 1.72-second 10-yard split at 311 pounds that had scouts calling him one of the top athletes in the entire offensive line class. He also took snaps at center after his workout and expressed openness to playing inside.

That last detail matters. Fano played right tackle at Utah for the last two seasons, but his arms measured at 32⅛ inches at the combine — short enough that Jeremiah — the former NFL scout whose rankings are among the most widely referenced in the industry — moved him from the offensive tackle category to interior offensive lineman on his latest rankings, slotting him 14th overall. PFF still ranked him as their No. 1 offensive tackle prospect and placed him 16th on their overall big board, but acknowledged the position questions. Fano is likely a top-15 pick, but whether a team drafts him as a tackle or as an interior lineman will determine where he goes. He's an elite prospect regardless — just probably not a left tackle at the next level.

Both Mauigoa and Fano are excellent players. Neither profiles as a long-term left tackle solution for the Bears.

First-Round Options at Pick 25

Monroe Freeling — Georgia — OT — Junior

6-7, 315 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.93 sec | 10-yard split: 1.71 sec (best among all OTs) | RAS: 9.99

If the Bears take an offensive tackle at No. 25, Monroe Freeling is the name at the top of the board. The Georgia junior is the only consensus prototypical left tackle in this draft class — the one prospect whose size, length, athleticism, and bend all say "franchise blindside protector" in a way that nobody else in this class can match.

Start with the testing. Freeling's 1.71-second 10-yard split was the fastest among all offensive tackles at the combine. His Relative Athletic Score of 9.99 out of 10.00 ranked second among 1,512 offensive tackles measured since 1987. Let that sink in for a moment. In on-field drills, CBS Sports noted that Freeling "consistently bends at the knees to control his movement, keeps his chest out, his weight low in his hips, allowing him to anchor at will, and throws strikes with power." He was already one of the biggest risers in the draft process entering the combine, and he kept that momentum moving in a positive direction.

The concerns are centered on experience and strength. Freeling has just 18 career starts at Georgia — only five of them came before last season. He battled through injuries in 2025, though he played his best football late in the year, which is the right trajectory. His core strength needs development — when he gives up his chest, he can get tugged and pulled off his spot by stronger rushers. Jeremiah ranked him 20th overall on his 3.0 board and noted that if he can continue to add strength, he has starting left tackle ability.

For the Bears specifically, the fit is clean. Freeling is a natural zone blocker — he's excellent on combo blocks, quick to climb to the second level, and smooth enough to wall off linebackers in space. The Ringer mocked him to the Bears at 25 in their post-combine mock draft roundup, calling the pick "the logical next step in building outward" after the Bradbury trade. He won't turn 22 until rookie training camp. Even if he doesn't start Week 1, the long-term ceiling is higher than anyone else at the position in this class.

Kadyn Proctor — Alabama — OT — Junior

6-7, 352 lbs | 40-yard dash: 5.21 sec | 10-yard split: 1.84 sec | Vertical: 32.5" | Broad: 9'1"

There is no one in this draft class built quite like Kadyn Proctor. The Alabama tackle weighed in at 352 pounds at the combine — and before the 2025 season, he reportedly squatted 815 pounds, benched 535, and power cleaned 405. He was used as a skill player in the backfield at times and even caught a pass, which speaks to an athletic profile that defies his frame. Few 352-pound athletes move the way Proctor does.

The concern is whether that size works against him. Proctor didn't test well at the combine — his 1.84-second 10-yard split was among the slowest of the top tackles, and his movement skills in drills didn't match his peers. His 2025 season started poorly: seven pressures and a sack allowed against Florida State in the opener, along with a false start on a critical fourth-and-one. He improved significantly as the season went on, but the early-season tape raises questions about consistency. Edholm ranked him 15th overall, while Jeremiah dropped him off his top 50 entirely on the 3.0 board. PFF slotted him fourth among tackles.

The bigger-picture question is whether a 352-pound tackle — who may need to play even heavier to hold up against NFL power rushers — can thrive in a zone-heavy scheme like Johnson's. Multiple analysts have noted that there's almost no precedent for a left tackle over 6-7 and 360 pounds becoming a force in the NFL. Proctor's arm length has also raised questions about whether he ultimately moves to guard. He's a fascinating prospect with an enormous ceiling, but the floor is lower than most teams picking in the 20s would be comfortable with.

Blake Miller — Clemson — OT — Senior

6-7, 317 lbs | Arms: 34" | 40-yard dash: 5.04 sec | 10-yard split: 1.75 sec | RAS: 9.94

If Freeling is the upside play and Proctor is the boom-or-bust gamble, Miller is the floor. The Clemson senior started 54 games at right tackle — more than any other offensive lineman in this class — and the tape reflects a player who knows exactly what he's doing. He allowed just two sacks and nine pressures in his final season. He has ideal size (6-7, 317), ideal length (34-inch arms), and showed surprising athleticism at the combine, where his 9.94 RAS exceeded expectations across the board.

Jeremiah was the biggest believer, ranking Miller 19th overall on his 3.0 board — a jump of 19 spots from his 2.0 rankings — and writing that he "has the ideal profile for a starting NFL right tackle." His Senior Bowl performance, where he displayed timing and power in his strikes, helped solidify his stock. He's a high school wrestler whose leverage and hand technique translate naturally to pass protection.

The limitations are real. Miller plays and looks light for the position. PFF noted he lacks the "sand in his pants" to anchor against power and the lower-half strength to displace defenders in the run game. He struggles to redirect and wall off linebackers in space. And he's a right tackle — his entire college career was on the right side. Transitioning to left tackle at the NFL level isn't impossible, but it adds a layer of projection. For the Bears, Miller might make the most sense as the long-term right tackle insurance behind Darnell Wright, with the flexibility to play the left side in a pinch. At 25, he's a safe pick with a high floor. At 57, he could be a steal.

Caleb Lomu — Utah — OT — Sophomore (RS)

6-6, 313 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.99 sec | 10-yard split: 1.75 sec | Vertical: 32" | Broad: 9'5"

Lomu is the other Utah tackle in this class, and while Fano gets the headlines, Lomu has a legitimate argument as the better pure tackle prospect for the NFL. He played left tackle for the Utes — not right tackle — and has the prototypical measurements and movement skills that NFL teams look for on the blindside. At the combine, he tested well and "looked every bit a starting tackle on the field compared to his peers," per Yahoo Sports' combine breakdown.

The youth factor is significant. Lomu is a redshirt sophomore with only two seasons of starting experience. He's still filling out his frame and adding muscle — which means there's considerable room for physical development in an NFL weight program. PFF ranked him fifth among tackles and slotted him 43rd on their overall big board. Edholm placed him 33rd overall.

The concerns are about strength and polish. His punch lacked power at the combine relative to some of his peers. He needs to add weight and improve his upper-body strength to handle NFL-caliber pass rushers consistently. But the athletic foundation is there, and in a zone-blocking scheme like Johnson's, Lomu's natural movement skills project well. SI Bears mocked him to the Bears at 25 in their pre-free-agency seven-round projection, calling him "widely viewed as one of the most physically gifted offensive tackles in the 2026 class." At 25 he's a slight reach by some boards; at 57 or 60 he'd be outstanding value.

Day 2 Options at Picks 57, 60, and 89

The depth of the tackle class means quality starters will be available well into the second round — which is exactly why the Bears' two picks at 57 and 60 make this position less urgent at No. 25 than edge rusher. If Poles takes a pass rusher first, the tackle options on Day 2 are still strong.

Max Iheanachor — Arizona State — OT — Senior

6-6, 321 lbs | 40-yard dash: 4.91 sec (tied best among OL) | 10-yard split: 1.73 sec | RAS: 9.91

Iheanachor's story is unlike any other prospect in this class. Born in Nigeria, he didn't play football until junior college. He has roughly two and a half years of competitive experience at the position. And yet, at the combine, he ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash — tied for the fastest among all offensive linemen in his testing group — with a 1.73-second 10-yard split at 321 pounds. His RAS of 9.91 was among the best at the position.

The raw tools are staggering. Iheanachor showed a natural kick-slide from both sides, smooth lateral movement, and a pop in his hands that evaluators described as one of his best developing traits. CBS Sports called his combine performance one that makes a "legitimate case to be a first-round pick." The Chicago Sun-Times described him as "the kind of gamble that teams with two first-round picks can afford."

He's still raw. The lack of football experience shows up in his anticipation, his anchor against power rushers, and his tendency to get his weight too far forward on his toes. PFF's preseason ranking had him 210th on their big board — though his combine performance has pushed him significantly higher on most teams' boards. If the Bears take him at 57 or 60, they'd be betting on elite athleticism and developmental upside over a polished, ready-to-start product. Given that they have a training camp competition to produce a 2026 starter, the timeline could work.

Gennings Dunker — Iowa — OT/G — Senior

PFF OT3 (Big Board #25)

Dunker has been Iowa's consistent starting tackle for three seasons, but most evaluators agree his NFL home is at guard. His arm length is well below average for the tackle position, and his kick slide in pass protection doesn't cover enough ground to handle NFL speed rushers on the outside. Inside, though, he's a different player. He has a hulking frame, outstanding contact power, and the balance and core strength — built through backgrounds in track and wrestling — to displace defenders in the run game.

PFF ranked him as their third offensive tackle prospect and placed him 25th on their overall big board, which reflects his value as an offensive lineman more than his viability at tackle specifically. For the Bears, Dunker would only make sense if they view him as a guard — and with Thuney locked in on the left side and the interior otherwise set for 2026, that's not the most pressing need. He's worth monitoring if he falls, but he doesn't solve the left tackle problem.

Caleb Tiernan — Northwestern — OT

6-7+ | PFF OT8 (Big Board #80)

Tiernan brings imposing size — well over 6-7 — with plus length that allows him to smother pass rushers. PFF described him as "patient and confident in pass protection with good posture and balance." He did not participate in measured testing at the combine but showed potential in on-field drills, with smooth lateral sliding and a clean pass-protection technique that drew quiet praise from scouts. He looked more natural working from the right side.

The downside is leverage. His height means he'll naturally lose the pad-level battle more often than not, and when stronger rushers get underneath him, he can get overpowered. His pulling in drills was hindered by that height as well. But for a team looking for a developmental right tackle or swing option in the third round, Tiernan has the physical profile to be worth a look. At pick 89, he could provide insurance at both tackle spots while developing behind Wright and whoever wins the left side competition.

Day 3 and Beyond: Picks 129 Through 241

Starting-caliber offensive tackles generally don't come from the fourth round or later — but developmental projects with the right physical tools can turn into valuable depth pieces or eventual starters with time and coaching. (It's worth noting that the Bears already have Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Kiran Amegadjie as late-round or undrafted developmental options at tackle, in addition to Jedrick Wills on a one-year flier. Any draft pick that would meaningfully improve the position would almost certainly need to come from the first three rounds. By the time you get to Rounds 4 through 7, you're looking at depth and insurance — not someone who's going to push for playing time as a rookie. Still, if the right physical profile is sitting there, the Bears have two seventh-round picks that could be used on a swing tackle project.)

Austin Barber — Florida — OT

PFF OT15 (Big Board #128)

Barber is a smooth mover who fits best in a zone-blocking scheme — which happens to be exactly what the Bears run. PFF noted his low, wide pre-snap stance shows off natural flexibility, and his technique gives him consistent pad-level advantages. He needs to get stronger, and his blocks don't always sustain through the whistle, but the baseline of athleticism and technique is there for a developmental Day 3 pick. At 129, he'd be worth strong consideration.

Nolan Rucci — Penn State — OT

6-8, 305 lbs | PFF OT29 (Big Board #287)

Sports Mockery mocked Rucci to the Bears in the seventh round of their post-free-agency mock, noting that "Ben Johnson loves big athletes at tackle" and comparing him to the Trapilo mold. At 6-8, 305 pounds, Rucci has an NFL frame but lacks explosiveness and appears to have heavy feet. His pre-snap base is wide and low, which gives him a slight advantage off the snap, but his overall athleticism limits him to power-based blocking schemes. He's a project — but at pick 239 or 241, projects are the name of the game.

Riley Mahlman — Wisconsin — OT

6-8+, 320+ lbs | PFF OT30 (Big Board #292)

Mahlman is massive — the kind of human being who fills a doorframe. He checks the height, weight, and length boxes for an NFL tackle, and his body type works for a downhill blocking scheme. He lacks the athleticism for consistent zone-blocking success and his first step, while long, doesn't carry the burst NFL coaches want. Yahoo mocked him to the Bears in the seventh round as a developmental right tackle behind Darnell Wright. At this point in the draft, you're swinging at upside and hoping coaching can close the gap.

The Bottom Line

The left tackle situation is the most unsettled position on the Bears' offense. The training camp competition between Wills, Jones, and Benedet will produce a starter — but none of those players have given the coaching staff a reason to feel confident about a full season of blindside protection for a franchise quarterback. Trapilo was on his way to becoming the long-term answer before the patellar tendon tear — he earned a 77.7 PFF pass-blocking grade as a starter and looked like a different player by the end of the season. But he's expected to miss most of 2026, and there's no guarantee that the version of Trapilo who returns from that kind of injury will be the same one who was ascending before it happened. Unless one of the bridge candidates delivers an unexpectedly dominant camp, the Bears need a draft pick who can step in and contribute right away.

Monroe Freeling is the most complete left tackle prospect in this class, and his combine testing — a 9.99 RAS that ranked second among all offensive tackles measured since 1987 — validates the physical tools that showed up on his late-season tape at Georgia. If the Bears take him at 25, they'd be making a statement about how seriously they take protecting Caleb Williams. If they go edge rusher at 25 instead, tackles like Blake Miller, Caleb Lomu, and Max Iheanachor should be available at 57 or 60, each bringing a different skill set and developmental timeline.

The class doesn't have a generational left tackle. But it has enough quality to give the Bears a real answer if they prioritize the position in the first two rounds — which, given the state of the current competition, they probably should.

Next up in the Bears 2026 Draft Prospect Preview: the center class, where Garrett Bradbury is a bridge and the long-term replacement is somewhere in this draft.