Bears add a second first-round offensive tackle to the list of pre-draft 30 visits — why he’s a wildcard option with the 25th overall pick
The Chicago Bears have brought in another first-round offensive tackle prospect on a 30-visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, signaling a potential direction the team takes with the 25th overall pick.
The Chicago Bears are no longer hiding their interest in some of the top offensive tackle options in the 2026 NFL Draft as the team continues to navigate a lot of uncertainty at the left tackle position.
Personally, I’m against taking a left tackle with the 25th overall pick in the first-round. If the Bears go that direction, the team will be taking the OT4/5 in the class, at best. I also don’t view it as a immediate concern considering the team has two capable 2026 options in Braxton Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. while having Ozzy Trapilo as a 2027 option once he recovers from his knee injury.
Regardless, the Bears have now met with two fringe first-round offensive tackles after adding the latest prospect to the pre-draft visit list.
Chicago Bears met with Utah tackle Caleb Lomu on a 30-visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu posted a picture on Friday inside the Bears facilities, which is usually a strong sign that player is on a pre-draft visit. Lomu now joins Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor as the only confirmed offensive tackles the team has met with.
The more work the Bears do on the top offensive tackles, the more we have to consider this a true possibility with the 25th overall pick, whether you agree or not. So, let’s breakdown Lomu, who might be the biggest first-round wildcard for the Bears.
Caleb Lomu is a true wildcard name to watch in the first-round for the Bears
Lomu was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Utes and allowed zero sacks during the 2025 season. He actually took over the role from Spencer Fano, who kicked over to right tackle and now is expected to be a Top-10/15 selection in the upcoming draft.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted that Lomu struggled against top competition off the edge, something that considered some scouts. Top-30 visits are great opportunities to breakdown some of those concerns face-to-face with a prospect.
At 6-6, 313 pounds, Lomu is a bit smaller than Iheanachor (6-6, 321 pounds) and much smaller than Kadyn Proctor (6-7, 352 pounds), two of the other tackles that have been connected to the Bears in the first-round.
Being smaller allows Lomu to be a better fit for Chicago’s offense given his quickness (1.74 10-yard-split ranked 5th among tackles at the NFL Combine. He even said he models his work in the run game off of Penei Sewell.
Some team in the backend of the first-round is going to draft this guy. It makes sense to see the Bears show interest and bring him to Chicago in-person to get a better feel for him as a potential fit. Again, I’d be against going with a left tackle, but I wouldn’t put it past the Bears making that decision and Lomu is certainly one to watch.
