As March continues and all 32 NFL franchises look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will have four picks in the top 100, including two in the second round, providing the front office with plenty of opportunities to add long-term building blocks as the team continues year two of the Ben Johnson-Ryan Poles era.
While Chicago invested in left tackle last offseason, drafting Ozzy Trapilo, he's expected to miss most of the 2026 season. The Bears did retain veteran Braxton Jones in free agency, and signed former first-round pick Jedrick Wills to a one-year deal, adding both to a group that already includes undrafted free agent Theo Benedet. Left tackle may not be the biggest need for Chicago but adding a long-term option may not be a bad idea, especially since the front office can't hinge on Trapilo returning to pre-injury form.
One name that could make sense in the first round, if he falls to No. 25 overall is Utah Utes tackle Caleb Lomu.
Let's get into our scouting report on Lomu.
Caleb Lomu, Utah, (6-foot-6, 313 pounds)
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"Two-year starting left tackle who is still in the early stages of his development. Utah's run game leaned heavily on movement and misdirection, preventing Lomu from firing out and showing his power. His run blocking trails his pass protection, but improved pad level and a nastier demeanor could close the gap. In protection, he shows good balance with adequate foot quickness, landing quick, well-timed punches and using a firm grip to control rushers once he's in. His anchor was rarely stressed by power and his athletic recoveries are average. Lomu flashes but is still under construction. His play could improve rapidly with strength gains and additional coaching."
Film:
Strengths:
- Mainly a left tackle at Utah, playing in 25 total games while logging 22 starts.
- Athleticism shows up on tape as a player who explodes out of his stance.
- Powerful hands in pass protection that are always square.
- Refined as a pass protector, showing off excellent technique with every rep.
- Has the quickness to move laterally when in space.
- Still filling out his already massive frame.
- Diagnoses stunts and blitzes with ease, reading them long before they actually develop.
Weaknesses:
- Opens up his chest too early against speed-to-power edge rushers, leaving him vulnerable to being driven back in the pocket.
- Struggles as a run blocker which is surprising considering the amount of starts he's logged in college.
- Shorter arms may force a team to kick him inside to guard.
- Needs to play with more body control.
Does Lomu fit the Bears offense?
Lomu is a typical left tackle prospect who excels in pass protection but has some work to do in run blocking. He's proven, at times in college, that he can move well laterally, but as a run blocker, the skills aren't where they need to be for a player who's logged more than 20 starts. While he can be an excellent player at the next level, he will need to refine his run blocking to really take a step forward, which is essential for him to play in the Bears offense. Early on, in an effort to mask some of his deficiencies in the run game, a team may decide to use a lot of 12 and 13 personnel, putting a tight end next to him as a way to aiding him as a run blocker.
Conclusion:
Lomu should generate some buzz on day one as a first-round pick but there is a chance that he sees himself selected in the back half of the first round, especially due to his shorter arms and lack of run blocking ability. But it's also likely that a team selects him within the top-20 due to his refined pass protection skills.
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