The Chicago Bears entered the 2026 NFL Draft cycle needing offensive line help at left tackle. Then Drew Dalman retired. Suddenly, the Bears offensive line prospects have widened.
Left tackle remains unresolved. Center is now a question mark. And while free agency and veteran stopgaps may shape the short term, the draft is where the Bears must find real answers. On the opening episode of Building the Board, Steve Letizia and I broke down offensive line tape with one goal in mind: identifying which offensive line draft prospects actually make sense for the Bears.
This is not a mock draft. It’s a ranked watch list, organized into tiers, focused on traits, projection, and Bears relevance. This list is stripped of filler and built for fans who want to understand why certain names matter.
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The Bears Center Question
Before diving into tackles and guards, it’s worth addressing the elephant in the room. Dalman’s retirement creates uncertainty, but not panic. As discussed on the podcast, trusting a rookie center early is difficult, and Chicago may prefer a veteran bridge while developing someone behind him. That puts a premium on versatility, intelligence, and projection, not just polish.
Logan Jones stands out as the best run blocker of the group, bringing consistency and athleticism from Iowa’s zone-heavy system, though his pass protection remains largely untested. Sam Hecht drew comparisons on the podcast to Dalman himself due to his mobility and ability to work in space, making him an intriguing schematic fit. Jake Slaughter offers high-end athletic traits but comes with notable play-strength concerns, positioning him as a longer-term project. Parker Brailsford and Connor Lew round out the group as smart, technically sound interior linemen who may lack elite physical traits but could develop into reliable starters with time. The common thread: none feel like immediate answers, reinforcing the idea that Chicago may need a veteran bridge while grooming a future center.
Tier 1: Blue‑Chip Bears OL Prospects
Monroe Freeling – LT, Georgia
“This guy is built in a lab to play left tackle,” – Steve Letizia
If you’re searching for the ideal Bears left tackle prospect, Monroe Freeling is the prototype. He combines elite length, high‑end athleticism, and movement skills that jump off the tape. While his run‑game angles still need refinement, both Steve and I saw a player trending rapidly upward. If Freeling is somehow available when Chicago picks, the Bears would be sprinting to the podium.
Francis Mauigoa – RT, Miami
“If he ever moves to guard, you’re talking about a potential All‑Pro,” – Steve Letizia
Mauigoa is unlikely to be an option for the Bears, but he sets the standard for the class. Powerful, consistent, and dominant in the run game, he profiles as a day‑one right tackle with All‑Pro guard upside if he ever kicks inside. That is not to say he needs to kick inside, but that he could be elite if he does. His upside at tackle is still immensley high.
Spencer Fano – RT (Interior Projection?), Utah
“He plays like the aggressor with his hands, landing quickly and precisely.” – Quinten Krzysko
Fano sparked real debate, and deservedly so. His tape shows a technically sound, aggressive lineman who wins with clean footwork, hand accuracy, and intelligence. He consistently generates first contact and closes space quickly. Arm length limits his ultimate ceiling at tackle, but Fano’s floor is high, and his football IQ opens the door to interior projection if needed. For the Bears, he profiles as a reliable long‑term starter somewhere on the line, although he is unlikely to be available at pick 25.
Tier 2: Realistic First‑Round Bears OL Prospects
Kadyn Proctor – LT/G, Alabama
“He can be special if he wants to be, but the weight and consistency make it hard to trust,” – Quinten Krzysko
Proctor is the most polarizing offensive lineman discussed, and possibly the most physically imposing. At over 350 pounds, his power is outrageous. When he’s locked in, he overwhelms defenders. When he’s not, smaller players get into his chest too easily, raising consistency and viability concerns. For the Bears, Proctor’s appeal is flexibility: early tackle reps with a potential long‑term move inside. But the injury risk that comes with a player this heavy looms large.
Caleb Lomu – LT, Utah
“He’s very tidy, very clean, but he’s not moving people,” – Quinten Krzysko
Lomu is one of the cleanest pass protectors in the class. His footwork, mirroring ability, and calm sets make him look pro‑ready on the blind side. The concern comes in the run game, where he wins with positioning rather than displacement. If Chicago prioritizes pass protection at left tackle, Lomu belongs firmly in the first‑round conversation. But how his lack of run blocking impact fits into Ben Johnson’s offense remains a significant question.
Max Iheanachor – RT, Arizona State
“If he played left tackle, I’d be pounding the table for him,” – Steve Letizia
Few prospects boosted their stock more during the process than Iheanachor. A relatively new football player, he plays with shocking power and elite athleticism for his size. His Senior Bowl performance confirmed the upside. The Bears’ willingness to move linemen across the line makes Iheanachor especially intriguing. But his developmental upside cannot overshadow his raw skillset, which needs to be further developed in multiple aspects.
Tier 3: Day 2 Developmental Tackles with Upside
Jude Bowry – LT, Boston College
“If Theo Benedet could survive at left tackle, Jude Bowry absolutely can,” – Steve Letizia
Bowry is a classic traits bet. Explosive, aggressive, and powerful when his technique is right. Bowry still needs refinement with hand usage and processing stunts. The upside, however, is undeniable. Bowry offers one of the highest ceilings among Day 2 Bears offensive line draft prospects.
Caleb Tiernan – LT, Northwestern
“There are traits here that say this guy can work,” – Quinten Krzysko
Tiernan’s evaluation is fascinating. Despite a tall frame and shorter arms, his flexibility, foot speed, and core strength stand out. Both Steve and I saw a player with real developmental upside. Tiernan profiles as a swing tackle early with potential for more, so long as he can further develop his hand usage to mitigate his short arms.
Tier 4: Interior Linemen & Center‑Capable Options
Trey Zuhn III – OL, Texas A&M
“Physically, this is not a left tackle. But somehow, he made it work,” – Steve Letizia
Zuhn might be the most Bears‑specific prospect discussed. Though he played left tackle, both of us agreed his future likely lies inside, possibly at center. His pass protection tape is outstanding, even with physical limitations. In a post‑Dallman world, Zuhn’s floor and versatility matter. I wouldn’t necessarily say he *can’t* play at left tackle in the NFL, either. I wouldn’t count on it, but his footspeed and hand quickness might just give him a chance.
Emmanuel Pregnon – G, Oregon
“When he gets his hands on you, the rep is done,” – Steve Letizia
Pregnon looks like an NFL guard immediately. With massive hands and a powerful frame, he anchors well in pass protection. He shows real ability to create movement in the run game, even if his short‑area burst is inconsistent.
Jalen Farmer – G, Kentucky
“When everything hits right, opponents have no chance.” – Quinten Krzysko
Farmer brings violence and power. His punch can stop defenders cold, and his anchor is one of the strongest among interior prospects. He’s raw, but the physical tools are obvious.
Jennings Dunker – OT/G, Iowa
“He plays like the guy across from him said something about his mother,” – Steve Letizia
Dunker is pure offensive line energy. Likely a guard at the next level, he brings toughness, physicality, and culture‑setting presence. You aren’t drafting Dunker for his pristine tape or his outrageous ceiling. You draft him for the tone he sets and the fact that he will be a steady culture setter in your offensive line room going forward.
Final Thoughts on Bears Offensive Line Prospects
The 2026 class gives the Bears some real options. There’s no single solution, but there are multiple paths: investing in a franchise left tackle, prioritizing versatility to survive the short term, or planning long‑term answers at center. The prospects above are the names that matter most for Chicago as draft season ramps up. And this is just the beginning.