While every Chicago Bears fan is hoping the team will land an elite edge rusher or safety in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, there might be a different position that could catch their attention.
In recent weeks, there seems to be a growing expectation that the Bears might go offensive line in the first round, with left tackle Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss a good chunk of the 2026 season with his ruptured patellar tendon. CBS Sports senior writer Pete Prisco shared his new mock draft, where he has the Bears selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller.
"The left tackle spot is a concern and Miller has the tools to step in and play right away. They could also consider defensive tackle here."
What would happen if Bears selected Blake Miller in the first round?
Miller has put together quite the resume in college, earning two-time first-team All-ACC selections in 2024 and 2025, a third-team All-ACC selection in 2023, and a freshman All-American in 2022. Last year at Clemson, Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 76.8, ranking 34th out of 632 tackles in the nation.
The Bears currently have Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., and Theo Benedet competing for the starting left tackle job in place of Trapilo. Jones is expected to be the leader for the starting job.
It's going to be a tough decision on what to do at left tackle, but selecting Miller in the first round would be a loud message from the team that they don't believe in who they have. Bears fans might not be big fans of it, as it leaves their safety and edge rusher positions in a hole heading into Day 2.
Even more important, it would ask an interesting question about Trapilo and whether he would be the starter moving forward. Selecting Miller would cause more problems and potentially move Trapilo to the bench or another position on the line. Chicago would be better off avoiding a tackle.
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Miller is a great prospect, but Bears fans have their sights set on other positions in the first round.