The Blitz: Improving the trenches at No. 10 looks a lot easier for Chicago Bears
Taking a breath after the dust settles at the NFL Combine
There’s no shortage of need in the trenches for the Chicago Bears heading into 2025.
They need at least three offensive linemen, an impact pass rusher and help on the interior defensive line. Emphasis on at least there, because there’s a strong enough argument for Ryan Poles to follow through on adding competition for LT Braxton Jones.
For both fronts, the NFL Combine last week provided some good news.
I’ll start on the defensive front where Texas A&M Edge Shemar Stewart blew the doors off his workout. He’s going to garner top-10 consideration now despite low production levels. Stewart has never had more than 1.5 sacks in a season on a unit that will see Nic Scourton and Shemar Turner drafted.
The traits are off the charts and the production levels aren’t necessarily indicative of success. Jacksonville’s Travon Walker, the 2022 No. 1 pick from Georgia, is proving that.
Georgia Edge Mykel Williams didn’t work out in Indianapolis, but he’s another traits guy with slightly more production (14 sacks over three seasons). He’s in the same 6-5, 265-pound range Stewart is in and a fringe top-10 pick without testing.
On the interior line, Michigan’s Mason Graham is a projected top-5 pick and unlikely to fall to the Bears. No others are pushing the top 10.
That said, defensive tackles are all over the board. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant and Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen seem unlikely to dip outside the first round. Oregon’s Derrick Harmon could be a late first rounder but could slip to the second, where Chicago holds the 39th and 41st picks. Tyliek Williams (Ohio State) and Darius Alexander (Toledo) solidified their spots as top-50 prospects last week and would be in range.
The O-line class looks deeper
One of my biggest concerns before the Combine was the foot shuffling from scouts over the left tackle prospects. Will Campbell (LSU) has been the constant top prospect, but came and left with arm length questions, and whether he was a tackle or guard. As I wrote before things kicked off in Indy, my lean is always toward whether a guy can play.
After offensive line workouts concluded Monday, there’s a new outlook on the prospect board.
Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) entered Indy with similar size and position questions. He seemed to answer those measuring in at 6-5 (scouts initially thought he was 6-3) with arm and hand measurements larger than Campbell.
Missouri’s Armand Membou killed the workout portion and moved himself into the OT1 discussion. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons did not work out as he comes back from a knee injury. He’s viewed as the truest left tackle of the group. Tyler Booker (Alabama) is the true guard prospect of the draft and has been steady as he goes throughout the entire process, locking up a top-20 spot, at worst.
We’ll know a lot more about the Bears draft plans as free agency ramps up next week. It’s possible the Bears leave March with the interior offensive line in tow, opening up their options at No. 10 and in the second round.
Coming up
Look out for a few things this week after the franchise tag deadline closes this afternoon.
I’ll be putting out the first mock draft of the season and free agent predictions. I’ll also be doing an exercise that maps out a realistically ideal Bears off season (separate from predictions).
