Kadyn Proctor Bears Draft Bears Draft Target Bears News Ryan Poles
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Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
Despite all the fervor about defense, the Chicago Bears may still have their eyes on a new left tackle for their offense in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Bears general manager Ryan Poles was the lone NFL GM in attendance at Alabama’s pro day on March 25 to observe several of the top prospects — including quarterback Ty Simpson — alongside new assistant GM Jeff King.
Alabama student reporter J.D. Zasa also noted that Poles grabbed a front-row seat to the offensive line drills that featured left tackle and likely first-rounder Kadyn Proctor.
“GM Ryan Poles is getting a front-row seat for the offensive line drills that are about to take place at Alabama Pro Day,” Zasa wrote March 25 on X, posting a video along with it. “Possibly to get a look at Kadyn Proctor or center Parker Brailsford.”
The Crimson Tide have several prospects who could interest the Bears at various levels of the draft, but Proctor — a 6-foot-7, 352-pound offensive tackle — could intrigue them as a potential option at No. 25 overall in the first round to solve their blindside issues.
Ozzy Trapilo, a standout rookie starter in 2025, is expected to miss most of the 2026 season as he recovers from a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee. While the Bears have signed veterans Braxton Jones and Jedric Wills Jr. to help bridge the gap until Trapilo returns, they could take a bigger swing if they feel Proctor can be a long-term solution.
Kadyn Proctor Had Scouts ‘Buzzing’ During Pro Day
Proctor is a gargantuan offensive tackle prospect with exceptional size and length and imposing power to go along with it. In 2025, he allowed two sacks, four hits and 19 total pressures over his 527 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle, earning an 81.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus and co-receiving the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in the SEC.
Proctor also logged an impressive catch-and-run play for Alabama in its narrow win over Georgia last September, securing a backwards pass before rumbling through the nearest Bulldogs defender and gaining 11 yards to bring the Tide to the 2-yard line.
It was exactly the type of play you would expect to see Ben Johnson run in Chicago.
If the Bears decide that they want Proctor, though, they may find themselves holding their breath waiting for their turn at No. 25 overall after the reception at his pro day.
“Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor had a lot of people buzzing here at pro day,” ESPN’s Field Yates wrote Wednesday on X. “His movement skills during the on-field drills were exceptional. And you could hear the sound of him hitting the bags from the opposite side of the field. He’s got a busy slate of visits between now and the draft, starting with the [Kansas City] Chiefs later this week.”
Which Other Alabama Prospects Might Attract Bears?
Poles had an up-close opportunity to scout Proctor as a potential fit for the Bears, but the enormous offensive tackle was not the only talent on display at Alabama’s pro day.
In the offensive line drills, the Bears had the chance to scout two interior linemen — center Parker Brailsford and guard Jaeden Roberts — who could fit into their plans to continue stockpiling protection for quarterback Caleb Williams. Both Brailsford and Roberts are projected as Day 3 selections, but Brailsford could enter into the thinking for the Bears as early as the third round if they view him as a future starting center.
The Crimson Tide also rolled out several defenders who are likely to come off the board on the first two days of the draft, including potential first-round D-linemen LT Overton (edge rusher) and Tim Keenan III (defensive tackle) and linebacker Deontae Lawson.
A wild-card option for the Bears could also be wide receiver Germie Bernard, who was catching passes from Simpson during the latter’s throwing session in front of scouts. The Bears have an underrated need for more receiving depth after trading DJ Moore and letting Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay walk in free agency, even with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III in place to function as their starting wideouts.