Caleb Lomu
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Caleb Lomu of the Utah Utes during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have a ton of different directions they can go during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and one avenue could include drafting a left tackle like Caleb Lomu out of Utah.
Despite signing Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Jedrick Wills Jr. to one-year deals, Ben Johnson isn’t ruling out drafting another left tackle despite using a second-round pick on Ozzy Trapilo just one year ago.
“That’s something that Ryan [Poles] and I always talk about. There’s a lot of ways that that could unfold. Obviously, you’d love to have your long-term starter for the next 10 years locked up. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, though. …And you can’t rule out the draft either. …If there’s a tackle or a defensive tackle or a (defensive) end, I think we can go any direction we need to and stay true to that and feel pretty good about it. To give you clarity, it’s hard to say right now what that left tackle spot’s going to look like this year or five years from now.”
Chicago isn’t hiding the fact that they are looking at left tackle options, especially with their latest move.
Bears’ 1st Round Draft Plans Increasingly Evident With Latest Draft Visit
The Bears are hosting Caleb Lomu on a top 30-visit, according to NFL draft analyst Ryan Fowler.
“Source: The Chicago Bears are hosting Utah OT Caleb Lomu for a 30 visit today. It marks the end of a busy week for the Utah OL after visits to the Eagles & Browns over the last few days.”
Lomu also posted on his story that he was visiting the Bears.
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Caleb Lomu is visiting the Chicago Bears
Lomu, 6’6″ 313-lbs, was a two-year starter at left tackle for Utah and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 (zero sacks allowed).
He’s also an incredibly athletic left tackle prospect, scoring an impressive 9.79 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of 10.00, with elite grades on both explosion (vertical & broad jump) and speed (40-yard dash, 20 yd split, & 10 yd split).
Perhaps the most impressive part about Lomu is that he allowed the fewest career sacks (2) among top-100 offensive linemen on Pro Football Focus’ big board. For reference, other notable tackle prospects on the board include Spencer Fano (3), Monroe Freeling (6), Francis Mauigoa (8), Blake Miller (8), Caleb Tiernan (9), and Kadyn Proctor (17).
Why Caleb Lomu Could Be the Guy For the Bears in Round 1
Caleb Lomu
GettyCaleb Lomu #71 of the Utah Utes does a drill during warmups.
There’s a lot to like about Lomu. He’s young (21 years old), provides immense upside, and has the stats to back up his play.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he ranked third in production score (76), fifth in athleticism (86), and fourth in total score (81) among qualified offensive tackles.
The Bears can never have too many offensive linemen, especially at one of the most crucial positions on the entire team at left tackle. If Chicago believes Trapilo’s injury is worse than initially perceived and wants to shore up LT long term, Lomu could be the guy at No. 25.
He still has a lot to learn, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic provided a short summary on Lomu.
“Lomu must get stronger and continue to develop his technique and grit, but NFL teams are understandably intrigued by his movement ability and ready-to-cultivate left tackle skill set. His upside points to him becoming an NFL starter.”
Even if it’s just a visit, there’s a real reason to believe the Bears could be zeroing in on Lomu as the draft quickly approaches.