Latest draft intel spells bad news for the Bears’ chances of landing one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears continue to be linked to Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the 25th overall pick, but latest draft intel makes it sound like the Bears won’t even get a chance to consider drafting him.
The Chicago Bears haven’t shied away from the concerns at the left tackle position going into the 2026 season, which has led many draft experts to start linking top offensive tackle prospects to the team with the 25th overall pick.
That continued this week when ESPN analyst and NFL insider Peter Schrager released his first mock draft of the year and had the Bears selecting Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor with their first-round pick. It’s a logical decision, but the wind is turning against the Bears’ favor when it comes to potentially landing Proctor.
Draft analysts are starting to hint toward Kadyn Proctor landing much higher than anticipated
Even in Schrager’s description for the selection, he noted that he thinks Proctor “is going earlier than No. 25.” Back on Monday, Schrager joined Daniel Jeremiah to do a joint mock draft together and both draft experts had Proctor going to the Detroit Lions with the 17th overall pick. Jeremiah even added this interesting nugget.
“I was told the other day when we are doing these exercises going forward with Proctor, that is the absolute floor,” Jeremiah stated. “He will not get by the Detroit Lions”
The hype train for Proctor being a top first-round pick continued on Wednesday. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler emptied the notebook on what he’s heard from NFL executives and scouts regarding some of the most polarizing prospects entering the draft. Proctor was one of the names he brought up, and here’s what Fowler had to say:
“One NFL team executive was blunt when assessing Proctor. ‘He should be a top-five pick,’ the exec said. ‘He can be so good if he wants to be.’
That last line implies Proctor hasn’t met his potential, which is tricky to entertain because he was a three-year starter at Alabama and is a surefire first-rounder. He’s too good to fall far.”
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN
To add even more intel to the chances of Proctor being selected before the 25th overall pick, Dane Brugler of The Athletic released The Beast on Wednesday and had Proctor as the No. 4 ranked offensive tackle in the class behind Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, and Monroe Freeling.
All four of those tackles could easily come off the board within the Top-20 selections. Jeremiah took it a step further saying that he was told the Lions love Proctor.
It easy to see why the Bears are expected to have interest in the massive offensive tackle if he makes it to Chicago’s pick. However, it’s not a guarantee that even happens the closer we get to draft day. If that’s the case, the Bears would have to pivot to another player with the 25th overall pick.
Could that be another offensive tackle such as Max Iheanachor? Perhaps the Bears hope that one of the top edge rushers or safeties fall. Either way, the Bears are going to have to be ready for any possible scenario.
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