{"id":863427,"date":"2026-04-10T21:20:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:20:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/863427\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T21:20:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:20:38","slug":"bears-1st-round-draft-plans-increasingly-evident-with-caleb-lomu-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/863427\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears’ 1st Round Draft Plans Increasingly Evident With Caleb Lomu Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Caleb\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Caleb Lomu of the Utah Utes during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bears<\/a> have a ton of different directions they can go during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and one avenue could include drafting a left tackle.<\/p>\n

Despite signing Braxton Jones,<\/a> Theo Benedet,<\/a> and Jedrick Wills Jr.<\/a> to one-year deals, Ben Johnson isn\u2019t ruling out<\/a> drafting another left tackle despite using a second-round pick on Ozzy Trapilo<\/a> just one year ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something that Ryan [Poles] and I always talk about. There\u2019s a lot of ways that that could unfold. Obviously, you\u2019d love to have your long-term starter for the next 10 years locked up. There\u2019s a lot of uncertainty right now, though. \u2026And you can\u2019t rule out the draft either. \u2026If there\u2019s a tackle or a defensive tackle or a (defensive) end, I think we can go any direction we need to and stay true to that and feel pretty good about it. To give you clarity, it\u2019s hard to say right now what that left tackle spot\u2019s going to look like this year or five years from now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chicago isn\u2019t hiding the fact that they are looking at left tackle options, especially with their latest move.<\/p>\n

Bears\u2019 1st Round Draft Plans Increasingly Evident With Latest Draft Visit<\/p>\n

The Bears are hosting Caleb Lomu on a top 30-visit<\/a>, according to NFL<\/a> draft analyst Ryan Fowler.<\/p>\n

\u201cSource: The Chicago Bears are hosting Utah OT Caleb Lomu for a 30 visit today. It marks the end of a busy week for the Utah OL after visits to the Eagles<\/a> & Browns<\/a> over the last few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lomu also posted on his story<\/a> that he was visiting the Bears.<\/p>\n

Caleb Lomu is visiting the Chicago Bears <\/p>\n

Lomu, 6\u20196\u2033 313-lbs, was a two-year starter at left tackle for Utah and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 (zero sacks allowed).<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also an incredibly athletic left tackle prospect, scoring an impressive 9.79 Relative Athletic Score<\/a> (RAS) out of 10.00, with elite grades on both explosion (vertical & broad jump) and speed (40-yard dash, 20 yd split, & 10 yd split).<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most impressive part about Lomu is that he allowed the fewest career sacks<\/a> (2) among top-100 offensive linemen on Pro Football Focus\u2019 big board. For reference, other notable tackle prospects on the board include Spencer Fano (3), Monroe Freeling (6), Francis Mauigoa (8), Blake Miller (8), Caleb Tiernan (9), and Kadyn Proctor (17).<\/p>\n

Why Caleb Lomu Could Be the Guy For the Bears in Round 1\"Caleb<\/p>\n

GettyCaleb Lomu #71 of the Utah Utes does a drill during warmups.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to like about Lomu. He\u2019s young (21 years old), provides immense upside, and has the stats to back up his play.<\/p>\n

According to NFL Next Gen Stats,<\/a> he ranked third in production score (76), fifth in athleticism (86), and fourth in total score (81) among qualified offensive tackles.<\/p>\n

The Bears can never have too many offensive linemen, especially at one of the most crucial positions on the entire team at left tackle. If Chicago believes Trapilo\u2019s injury is worse than initially perceived and wants to shore up LT long term, Lomu could be the guy at No. 25.<\/p>\n

He still has a lot to learn, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic provided a short summary on Lomu.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cLomu must get stronger and continue to develop his technique and grit, but NFL teams are understandably intrigued by his movement ability and ready-to-cultivate left tackle skill set. His upside points to him becoming an NFL starter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even if it\u2019s just a visit, there\u2019s a real reason to believe the Bears could be zeroing in on Lomu as the draft quickly approaches.<\/p>\n

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