While the Chicago Bears invested heavily into their offensive line during the offseason, it’s still a clear area of need entering the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bears’ 2024 campaign saw them allow a league-high 68 sacks. Furthermore, left tackle remains a question mark with Braxton Jones’ health up in the air.
When it comes to offensive line in this year’s draft class, fans are well aware of Armand Membou and Will Campbell. The former dazzled at the scouting combine while the latter is considered one of the best prospects in the 2025 class. But because of those reasons, there’s a solid chance neither are available when Chicago picks at No. 10.
If that scenario comes to fruition, that doesn’t mean the Bears have to avoid offensive line entirely. Instead, they can target Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr of Oregon. Adam Jahns of The Athletic is hoping fans and Chicago’s brass alike don’t forget about Conerly come draft night.
“While [Kelvin] Banks is considered a guard prospect by some, Conerly is locked in at tackle. He’s also a true left tackle, while Missouri’s Armand Membou — a likely top-10 pick — played only on the right side in college,” Jahns wrote. “Conerly also doesn’t have the health concerns that Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons has after he tore the patellar tendon in his knee.
“In 2023, Wright’s performance against Will Anderson, the best pass rusher in that draft class, was viewed as a positive,” Jahns continued. “Similar things can be written about Conerly this year after he shut down Penn State’s Abdul Carter.”
The Darnell Wright comparison
Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, right tackle Darnell Wright ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect on ESPN’s big board. Dane Brugler of The Athletic had him even lower. Yet the Bears still decided to use the No. 10 overall pick on the tackle. Jahns sees a direct comparison between Wright and Conerly’s scenarios.
“Don’t forget what happened two years ago with the Bears’ selection of right tackle Darnell Wright,” Jahns wrote. “He was considered a late first-round pick by most analysts. Brugler had him as his No. 24 player in the draft. But Wright plays tackle — an all-important premium position. It’s why Conerly and Banks are included in this list.”
Wright’s selection has panned out tremendously for the Bears. He has started 33 games over his two years in Chicago. Furthermore, Wright is coming off of a season in which he ranked 16/140 tackles with a 79.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.
That’s not to say Conerly will find immediate success like Wright did, just that unconventional draft wisdom can sometimes be the right call. If Campbell or Membou aren’t options, Conerly could be a building block on the left side of Chicago’s line for the foreseeable future.
What Josh Conerly Jr offers Chicago Bears
Connerly played three years at Oregon, appearing in 41 total games. He became the full-time starter as a sophomore, before ultimately ending his time with the Ducks as a First-team All-American and First-team Big Ten member.
What stands out about Conerly is that he has played left tackle predominantly throughout his career. While Campbell and Membou may be forced to move inside at the NFL level, Conerly is entrenched on the outside. If the Bears are serious about bringing in competition for Jones, Conerly understands the left tackle position fluently.
Furthermore, Conerly put himself on the map when he shut down projected top five pick Abdul Carter. With the Bears wanting to keep Caleb Williams upright in the pocket, that type of protection is key. You can’t judge a player by one game, but it didn’t take long for Conerly to show scouts what he is made of.
Every one-on-one pass rep between Josh Conerly Jr. (#76) and Abdul Carter (#11)
Speed vs. Speed pic.twitter.com/4FgENMfKnz
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 8, 2025
Conerly may not have the same name brand value as other Bears’ first-round targets. However, he gives Chicago exactly what they need in terms of a strong future across the offensive line.
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles preparing for ‘wild’ draft night moves
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