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The Chicago Bears are finalizing their plans ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in a couple of weeks, and there are a number of directions they can go with their first-round selection amid an array of positional needs.
The Bears have four picks in the top 89 selections, including an additional second rounder acquired when trading wide receiver DJ Moore this offseason, so general manager Ryan Poles has some premium capital to shore up the roster. But there's a matter of what the direction will be at No. 25, especially considering Chicago has big holes and starting jobs to fill on defense.
ESPN's Peter Schrager revealed his first mock draft of the season just a couple weeks out, where he has Chicago passing on taking a defensive player but still managing to fill a big need with the selection of Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at 25th overall.
"Proctor is a mass of humanity," wrote Schrager. "He weighed in at 358 pounds at his pro day -- but he can move. If he keeps his weight down, Proctor has as much upside as any tackle in this class. And frankly, I think he is going earlier than No. 25. But with Ozzy Trapilo out and Braxton Jones' uneven play, Chicago would be happy with this outcome. General manager Ryan Poles is often credited for the Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey picks in Kansas City, and he has the chance to add another star to the list."
There's an argument to be made that the Bears have bigger needs on defense, most notably in the trenches and at safety with a starting spot to fill opposite newcomer Coby Bryant. But general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have preached a best-available approach. So if Proctor is high on their draft board and they believe he can be the long-term answer at left tackle, they won't simply draft for positional need.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears pass on defense in first round of Peter Schrager's mock draft
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The Bears have four picks in the top 89 selections, including an additional second rounder acquired when trading wide receiver DJ Moore this offseason, so general manager Ryan Poles has some premium capital to shore up the roster. But there's a matter of what the direction will be at No. 25, especially considering Chicago has big holes and starting jobs to fill on defense.
ESPN's Peter Schrager revealed his first mock draft of the season just a couple weeks out, where he has Chicago passing on taking a defensive player but still managing to fill a big need with the selection of Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at 25th overall.
"Proctor is a mass of humanity," wrote Schrager. "He weighed in at 358 pounds at his pro day -- but he can move. If he keeps his weight down, Proctor has as much upside as any tackle in this class. And frankly, I think he is going earlier than No. 25. But with Ozzy Trapilo out and Braxton Jones' uneven play, Chicago would be happy with this outcome. General manager Ryan Poles is often credited for the Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey picks in Kansas City, and he has the chance to add another star to the list."
There's an argument to be made that the Bears have bigger needs on defense, most notably in the trenches and at safety with a starting spot to fill opposite newcomer Coby Bryant. But general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have preached a best-available approach. So if Proctor is high on their draft board and they believe he can be the long-term answer at left tackle, they won't simply draft for positional need.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears pass on defense in first round of Peter Schrager's mock draft
Continue reading...
