The Bears have held three top 10 NFL draft picks in Ryan Poles’ first three years as general manager. He used them all on premium positions generally worthy of high picks. He didn’t have a first-round pick 2022, as his predecessor shipped it to the Giants as a deal for Justin Fields. He took offensive tackle Darnell Wright at No. 10 in 2023. Last year, he added quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 and receiver Rome Odzune at No. 9.

Poles has another one in 2025, and so much of the talk around players they might take are interior lineman or offensive tackles who can kick inside.

RELATED CONTENT:

• State of the Bears series: Biggest strengths; Contract moves; Biggest needs; Salary-cap situation; Free agency primer
• NFL mock draft roundup: Bears get Myles Garrett for No. 10 overall (and more)
• Bears 2025 offseason primer: Salary Cap, NFL draft picks, key dates and more
• Bair Mail: On Josh Sweat, Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles, NFL cap increase

Guards don’t generally go in the top 10, despite the fact it’s the Bears biggest need. It’s possible some of the top offensive linemen are gone by the 10^th pick, though NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks it’s possible the Bears get their choice of big guys up front.

“When you look at where they’re picking, do they get their first crack at an offensive lineman?” Jeremiah said in a conference call with reporters. “Yeah, there are some teams ahead of them that can pull the trigger, so I think that’s TBD, but I do think the fact that their need being along the interior, I think they’re going to have their pick of interior guys.

“I know it’s not the sexiest thing in the world. I know people don’t want to get super excited about taking a guard with the 10th pick, but if you watched the Bears play last year, you might be excited about taking a guard at the 10th pick.”

The Bears have needs across their interior line, with a real prospect they could employ two new starting guards and fresh first-unit center. It’s possible they address some of those issues in free agency, possible with big dollars going to someone like Trey Smith or a few less to veteran guard (and Lions alum) Kevin Zeitler.

Assuming that LSU’s Will Campbell doesn’t make it to No. 10, Jeremiah broke down some options, including Texas’ Kelvin Banks and Alabama’s Tyler Booker.

Jeremiah on Kelvin Banks Jr.:

“I love the fact that he is 320 pounds. He is thick. He is sturdy. He can bend; he is athletic enough to really sink and bend. He keeps his hands in tight. He plays with patience. The stuff that he gets in trouble with is sometimes he sets a little bit deep, and then he ends up getting in some trouble that way when he kind of creates more runway. I think if he could be a little more firm and not get in quite as much depth in his set that he will be able to solve that problem. Then in the run game I just want to do see him show a little bit more strain and finish, just a little bit more nasty to him in the run game. But he’s a good athlete.

“…I think even though he’s not the tallest guy in the world, I still think he can hold up and play tackle no problem, and I think he could be hell on wheels as a guard. That’s Banks.”

Jeremiah on Tyler Booker and his fit with the Bears:

“When you look at them offensive line-wise, they have got to be better. They’ve got to be more firm up the middle. That’s Booker’s calling card as to how he can set his anchor and is just a strong, firm presence there, as well as someone who’s so smart and bright and aware. I like the fact, when you have a young quarterback in Caleb Williams, surrounding him everywhere with as many smart players as you can, I just think that helps in a big way. That doesn’t necessarily have to be just veterans. It can be with really, really smart young players, and that’s what Booker brings.”

While most of his epic annual conference call was forward looking, Jeremiah was asked to evaluate Odunze’s rookie year, after a somewhat low statistical output relative to expectation for a top-10 pick, Jeremiah remains a big believer in the Washington product.

Jeremiah on Rome Odzune:

“I think he’s going to be really, really good. Obviously there’s issues up front offensive line-wise, and there’s a lot of mouths to feed there. I’m excited about Ben Johnson coming in there. I’m excited about him getting to really have an opportunity to take off there. Caleb is going to be better. I just think everything else around him is going to be better. When I watch the tape, I still see somebody that can get open. I still see somebody that can make plays, and I think you’ll see him. His makeup is so good and the talent’s there. I don’t really worry about him going forward.”

Submit your Bears questions and comments below for inclusion in the next week’s mailbag. 👇