The Chicago Bears fell well short of their lofty expectations last season in their first year with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback, and a big reason for that letdown was the performance of the offensive line.
Williams was sacked 68 times, and new head coach Ben Johnson’s first order of business was to makes sure that doesn’t happen again, which is why Chicago brought in Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson as three new offensive line starters this offseason.
Now, one analyst believes Chicago could take a big swing on a lineman with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Kelvin Banks would be a good pick for the Bears at 10. … Not my first choice but I’d be happy if he was the selection. Get the last piece of the [offensive] line,” Sky Kruse wrote on X in response to Banks reportedly having a private workout with the team.
Kelvin Banks would be a GOOD pick for the #Bears at 10….
Not my first choice but I’d be happy if he was the selection. Get the last piece of the oline. https://t.co/q7moi93Azz
— Sky Kruse (@KruseSports_) April 18, 2025
By “last piece,” Kruse may view Banks as the franchise left tackle for years to come, which implies he has little faith in Braxton Jones being the long-term solution.
Kruse could be right, as Jones has been the starter for the past three years and has generally graded out as a solid, though unexceptional, blindside protector.
Jones is also heading into the final year of his rookie contract, and Banks could develop for a year before taking over in 2026.
Banks is viewed as one of the best linemen in the draft and wouldn’t be a reach at No. 10, though some scouts question whether he is a tackle or a guard.
Either way, the Bears’ line was so bad last season that it would be tough to knock them for adding even more protection after their offseason spending spree.
