Chicago Bears Projected to Make Surprise First-Round Pick in New Mock Draft

The Chicago Bears have been linked to just about every defensive position in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But Fox Sports’ Nick Wright went in a different direction in his latest mock draft.

Offensive tackle.

Specifically, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor.

The Pick: Kadyn Proctor to the Bears at No. 25

At No. 25, Wright sends Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor to Chicago. His reasoning is simple.

"He's the tackle from Alabama that we saw, catching the passes and rumbling and running down like the most athletic 380-pounder I've ever seen in my life," Write wrote. "I feel like the Bears all of a sudden have to address left tackle because of that, and so we have him going there."

Proctor to the Chicago Bears isn't a consensus pick. In fact, Proctor isn't even a consensus first-round prospect. But it's a strategy that's grounded in logic.

Why Left Tackle Is Entering the First-Round Conversation for Bears

It looked like the Bears had stabilized their offensive line in 2025. Then the 2026 offseason changed the outlook.

Drew Dalman’s retirement and Ozzy Trapilo’s torn patellar tendon during Chicago’s playoff run suddenly created uncertainty at two starting spots.

The Bears responded by bringing back Braxton Jones on a one-year deal and adding former top-10 pick Jedrick Wills. Those moves provide options, but they do not guarantee a long-term solution at left tackle, especially with Trapilo’s recovery still in question.

That reality reshapes the first-round conversation.

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Protecting Caleb Williams’ blindside is the priority, and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor fits the profile of a long-term answer.

This is not just about solving a short-term issue. It is about securing one of the most important roster spots for the next decade.

What Kadyn Proctor Would Bring to the Bears

Proctor is one of the most physically imposing offensive linemen in this class.

"Proctor is a mass of humanity with rare size and length at his command," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. "He’s capable as a move blocker but shines when rolling downhill as a bona-fide people mover with bulldozing power. However, slants and quick first steps beat him to the spot in the run game. When set and centered, Proctor is a roadblock to speed-to-power charges.

"He has a stout anchor and strong hands to stall the rush in its track. He struggles to mirror athletes in space and lacks the range to protect deeper pocket drops against speed. Inconsistency in pass protection hasn’t helped his draft standing, but he still has the potential to become a good right tackle or very good guard."

Wright referenced his athleticism, highlighting plays where Proctor handled the ball in space and moved like a much smaller player. He'd add a fun wrinkle to Ben Johnson's offense.

Does Proctor Match the Bears’ Draft Priorities?

This is where the debate begins.

The Bears still have clear needs on defense. Edge rusher remains unsettled, the interior defensive line lacks a consistent disruptor, and there is still an open starting spot at safety.

Using a first-round pick at any of those positions would provide an immediate upgrade.

At the same time, there is a scenario where Braxton Jones proves to be good enough at left tackle to hold onto the job long term. He showed he could be a capable starter before his late-2024 lower-leg injury. If he returns to that level, the position may not be as urgent as it seems.

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But that is still a projection.

And betting on projection at left tackle, especially when protecting Caleb Williams, is a risk the Bears may not be willing to take.

The Case for the Kadyn Proctor Pick

There is a strong argument in favor of this selection, too.

If the Bears believe Proctor can be a long-term answer at left tackle, the value is clear. Franchise left tackles are among the hardest players to find in the sport.

They're hard to scout, and even harder to sign in free agency (the great ones rarely ever make it to the open market).

Drafting one on a rookie contract gives Chicago stability and flexibility. And if Poles thinks Proctor is that guy, it'd be hard to fault him for taking him.

The Bears' Bottom Line

This is the kind of decision that ultimately defines a front office.

If Kadyn Proctor develops into a true cornerstone left tackle, the pick reshapes the trajectory of the franchise. Locking down that position for Caleb Williams gives the offense long-term stability and allows everything else to build off it. Those are the picks that pay off for a decade.

But there is real risk attached to the timing.

Passing on immediate defensive help means betting that the current roster can hold up in 2026 while Proctor develops into that long-term solution. If the pass rush still lacks a true complement to Montez Sweat, or the interior defensive line remains inconsistent, the decision will be scrutinized quickly.

That is the tension every front office deals with on draft night.

Ryan Poles has to weigh positional value against roster urgency, projection against production. The best teams find a way to do both. They secure foundational pieces without leaving obvious weaknesses exposed.

That is the challenge here.

Build something that lasts, without missing the opportunity to win now.