Even with the recent signings of two new offensive line athletes, it’s projected that the Chicago Bears will persistently explore further enhancements to their offensive line across free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. The team’s early efforts to fortify a squad that conceded an NFL high of 68 quarterback sacks in the previous season alone suggest a focus on strengthening from within, a strategy synonymous with victorious modern football.
As the countdown to the draft begins, mock drafts will increasingly reflect teams’ evolving and clarifying needs. However, even after landing Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney through trades earlier this week, there’s a clear signal that the Bears’ management has not shifted their attention away from the frontline and specifically, the offensive tackle position.
The strategy makes sense: the team’s current offensive tackle, Braxton Jones, is battling to recover from a fractured fibula. Consequently, the Bears’ strategy consistently looks towards the NFL Draft, with the 10th overall pick especially anticipated.
Round 1, Pick 10: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas. This selection could be strategic for the Bears, particularly if they believe Banks has the potential to seamlessly replace Jones as the team’s immediate first-choice left tackle. Jones’ current injury setbacks could influence this decision, as the depth of their squad remains imperative.
However, the ultimate choice may come down to how Ben Johnson, the team’s coach, sees Banks integrating into his offensive line blueprint. The clear evidence of the Bears’ ongoing proactive efforts in reconstructing their offensive line hint that these efforts will be extended into the draft.
Imagining a formation featuring Banks at left tackle and Darnell Wright, the 2023 first-round pick, at right tackle presents a powerful image of the Bears’ ‘bookend’ linemen leading the team for the years to come.
Over his three years in college football, Banks demonstrated notable performance in over 1,500 games, conceding only four sacks in total – an impressive statistic raising his profile as one of the prime offensive lineman candidates entering into the NFL draft.
By drafting Banks, the Chicago Bears would continue their efforts in re-imagining their offensive line and signify their focus on ensuring the safety of their quarterback, Williams. This would further underscore their commitment to consciously fortifying their front line, remaining true to the philosophy that the strength of modern-winning football, begins from the inside out.