Best offensive line options for the Bears in 2024 NFL Draft

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, opinions seem to be split on just how desperate the Chicago Bears should be for offensive line help.

Everyone can agree that the line is far from a finished product, especially if we're looking beyond the 2024 season.

As for this year and the draft, though, which direction could the Bears wind up going? Let's look at some of the more realistic options Chicago might have in the draft, if they were to pursue an offensive lineman.

Targets to pursue with the no. 9 pick

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

There is no world where Joe Alt is there at no. 9, but if he was, he'd be the steal of the draft. Alt is by far and away the best offensive tackle in his class, and if teams like the Chargers and Titans pass on him at no. 5 and no. 7, then the Bears would have lucked into pairing the draft's best quarterback with the best offensive tackle.

Alt is NFL-ready. He's going to anchor an offensive line for the next decade, at least, barring any unforeseen circumstances or injuries. The man is 6-foot-9, 321 pounds and looks every bit of a future All Pro. He's a no-brainer if there at no. 9, but he won't be.

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Some might not like the Bears going for Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu at no. 9, but remember, there was a time where Fashanu was viewed as a top-five pick in this class. He is still the second-best offensive tackle in this class and comes from playing hard-nosed, tough football in the Big Ten. He stands 6-foot-6 and still has yet to hit his ceiling.

The potential of a guy like Fashanu is out of this world, and with the right development, he might just end up as an All Pro as well.

These are the only two I'd be comfortable drafting at no. 9 if I'm Ryan Poles. Taliese Fuaga and JC Latham are good players, but belong in the Round 1 trade-back conversation.