Daniel Jeremiah has become the top NFL draft expert for NFL Network and his mock drafts always come after conversations with those in the league.
With that in mind, his mocks are some of the most realistic so when he updates his projections, it is time to take note.
Who does he have the Chicago Bears drafting in his second edition?
Kelvin Banks Jr. is the latest mock draft projection for the Bears
Jeremiah has the Bears taking Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. The blurb notes that Banks can play tackle or guard. This is worth highlighting because there is a question as to which position he would fit better.
The Bears have Braxton Jones at left tackle and an empty slot at left guard. However, Jones fractured his ankle and may be entering his last year with the team. A potential best-case scenario would be for Jones to get healthy for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season and Banks to start at left guard. Banks could spend one year adjusting to the NFL on the inside while working on his technique. Then, the Bears could decide whether to push him to tackle after his rookie season.
There is also a case where if Jones is not healed, Banks could be an option to start at left tackle. However, most reports fully expect Jones to be ready in time for Training Camp in July.
Some notable players that Jeremiah has the Bears passing on include Will Johnson, Tyler Booker, Armand Membou, Mykel Williams, and Ashton Jeanty.
Jeanty may be the name that gets the most attention from Bears fans. While Jeanty could be the best running back in the NFL, and Banks could be an average starter, most NFL fans realize that the average starter on the offensive line is probably more valuable in the long term.
In his first edition, Jeremiah had the Bears taking Tyler Booker, the offensive lineman from Alabama, so he appears to be hearing that the team is leaning toward the offensive trenches at this point.