NFL Insider links another versatile offensive lineman to the Bears in the first-round one day before the 2025 NFL Draft
With mere hours until the 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday evening, those around the NFL media landscape are starting to narrow down the focus on which position the Chicago Bears could address in the first-round.With the 10th overall pick, the Bears are "praying" that running back Ashton Jeanty falls into their laps, first and […]
With mere hours until the 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday evening, those around the NFL media landscape are starting to narrow down the focus on which position the Chicago Bears could address in the first-round.
With the 10th overall pick, the Bears are "praying" that running back Ashton Jeanty falls into their laps, first and foremost, with offensive line seemingly like the Plan B.
Earlier on Wednesday, multiple ESPN insiders shared the same belief and it lines up with the idea that the offensive line class will go earlier than expected on night one.
Based on how things sound at the position, the most likely option available at 10 if Jeanty is off the board is left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas. Banks met with the Bears late in the process and his versatility would be appealing to Ben Johnson.
ESPN's Peter Schrager had the Bears selecting Banks after trading back to the 14th overall pick in his first and only mock draft of the cycle.
But, another NFL insider believes Banks might not be the only versatile offensive lineman on Chicago's radar in the first-round and threw out another surprising option.
"Josh Conerly Jr. of Oregon could end up being chosen earlier than most predict, and the expected range for the junior is picks 10 to 25. And while the 10th pick, presently held by the Chicago Bears, seems early, I’m told it is a real possibility. The Bears are looking for a blocker who can play guard or tackle, and that perfectly describes Conerly. He’s presently the No. 1 guard on my board, yet many if not most teams project him at tackle…
I’m told the Bears not only like his skill on the field, but they became enamored with Conerly when he visited the franchise. The three-year starter came across as a seasoned veteran and very professional. The other team that is very high on Conerly are the New Orleans Saints- though I’m told they would only take him if they trade back." – Tony Pauline
Seeing Conerly linked to the Bears at this point in the cycle, this close to draft day, is surprising to say the least. No one expected to see his name mentioned this high in the first-round, as most mocks had him going as early as the mid-20s.
That being said, general manager Ryan Poles and assistant general manager Ian Cunningham both noted how the draft could get wild on Thursday. Drafting Conerly 10th overall, or moving back to land him, qualifies as being wild.
Now, I'm not saying it doesn't make sense. Like Banks, Conerly met with the Bears on a pre-draft visit and projects well at both left tackle and left guard. If the decision comes down to landing a versatile offensive lineman in the first-round, each player makes sense as a fit for the team.
The most likely scenario is that the Bears look to trade back if Jeanty is off the board before the 10th overall pick and then target Banks or Conerly depending on who's actually on the board after sliding back.
