Top 3 offensive lineman Chicago Bears should target in the 2025 NFL Draft

With a glaring need to strengthen their interior offensive line, the Chicago Bears should target top-tier guard prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft to help protect their quarterback and improve their offensive line's performance.

The Bears face a critical need on the interior of their offensive line, particularly with starting guards Teven Jenkins and Matt Pryor, who together allowed a combined 11 sacks and over 40 pressures. This poor performance was a major contributor to an offense that allowed an NFL-high 68 sacks last season.

Adding to the concern, Jenkins has battled injuries since being drafted 39th overall, and was even labeled the most overrated offensive tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft by NFL Mocks. On top of this, both Jenkins and Pryor are set to become free agents soon.

Luckily for the Bears, the 2025 NFL Draft offers a deep pool of offensive guard prospects, with six players earning first or second-round grades on my board. Let’s take a look at three potential targets the Bears should consider to solidify their offensive line.

Three offensive guards the Bears should consider

1. Will Campbell, LSU

One player the Bears would love to land with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is LSU’s Will Campbell, the top offensive guard prospect in this class. A future All-Pro, Campbell possesses elite strength to battle NFL defensive tackles and keep pressure off Caleb Williams. His agility is equally impressive. He played left tackle for the Tigers and recorded the fastest max velocity of any college offensive lineman in 2023, reaching 17.9 mph in a game. If the Bears can secure Campbell in the first round, he would significantly strengthen their offensive line.

2. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

If the Bears wait until the second round to address their interior offensive line, Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson could be a strong option. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he combines elite strength—benching 490 pounds and squatting 610—with impressive athleticism, including a 1.59-second 10-yard split, which would be an NFL Combine record. A powerful blocker who fights through the whistle, he earned First-Team ESPN All-American honors in 2024 while allowing just two sacks over 815 snaps, splitting time between left tackle and guard. Though he held up at tackle due to an injury to Josh Simmons, his skill set is best suited for guard, where his strong grip and gap-scheme ability shine. However, his footwork needs refinement, as he can be beaten off the snap by quicker pass rushers. With coaching, Jackson has the tools to become a reliable NFL starter.

3. Marcus Tate, Clemson 

One offensive lineman the Bears should consider on the third day of the 2025 NFL Draft is Clemson's Marcus Tate. Despite being an underrated prospect with a consensus ranking of 361st overall by the NFL Mock Draft Database, Tate has the potential to provide valuable depth on the interior offensive line. A former member of NFL Mock’s All-Underrated Team and a 2024 All-ACC Second Team selection, he brings a strong skill set that could benefit Chicago. His biggest asset is his raw power—he consistently drives defenders off the ball and plays with the level of intensity that aligns with Ryan Poles' vision for the offensive line.

These three prospects each offer different skill sets, but all could help the Bears fill a crucial need on the offensive line, especially as they aim to protect their franchise quarterback and build a more stable offensive front.