If Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams likes reading mock drafts, he should familiarize himself with the names of the top offensive line prospects — even if he thinks the criticism of his current line is unfair.
“The connotation behind my offensive line has been annoying and frustrating because they work their tail off to be able to go out there,” Williams said Wednesday at Halas Hall as he prepares for the final game of his rookie season. “I’ve taken sacks, yes. And you know a good amount have been on me, whether it’s small things of getting the ball out of my hands and just maybe dirting it, maybe not trying to find the perfect route, perfect play, all of that for that situation.
“The stupid connotation behind my offensive line being bad is not the truth.”
Williams has been sacked a league-high 67 times this season. He’s gone down on 12.5 percent of his pass attempts, placing the Bears 32nd in that category.
It’s true that Williams has been at fault for plenty of sacks this season, and analytics will tell you the starting tackles have played better than the Bears’ numbers on offense. It’s nice to see the rookie quarterback defend his highly-criticized offensive line. But it’s also true the Bears could have up to four new starters on their line next season. The group hasn’t been good enough in pass protection or the run game. All anyone has to do is look at what Detroit has built on their O-line and realize how far behind the Bears are.
As we get closer to late April, we’ll have more in-depth Bears mock drafts, including every one of their picks, and go through trade scenarios and all the options facing the team. For now, let’s start simple with a three-pick mock draft, using colleague Dane Brugler’s Big Board to help slot players to the Bears for the first two rounds.
Round 1, Pick No. 9: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Brugler’s take: “Now in his third season as the Tigers’ left tackle, Campbell is a very natural blocker due to timing and balance through engagement. His lack of ideal length will be an issue for some teams (scouts believe his arms will measure right around 33 inches at the combine). I’m keeping him at tackle until he shows he can’t do it — but even if he moves to the interior, Campbell is still the best offensive lineman in this draft.”
While this seems to be a deep draft for offensive linemen — Brugler has 11 in his top 50 — that could make it challenging to land the best one, which could be Campbell.
That becomes more difficult when there’s not an expected run on quarterbacks in the top 10.
But if Campbell is available, he seems like exactly what the Bears need. A blue-chip player from the get-go at LSU, Campbell was first-team All-SEC the past two seasons and second-team as a freshman in 2022. He was a consensus All-American in 2024 and was a vocal leader in Baton Rouge.
Projected top 10 pick Will Campbell:
“A D-lineman get one sack a game, he’ll be a top five pick. … You give up one sack a game for 12 games, you’re gonna work at Amazon” pic.twitter.com/GOGSVRnaOu
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2024
Campbell could start from Day 1 at left tackle or inside. Left tackle Braxton Jones will be returning from injury and entering the last year of his rookie deal. Despite his solid play when healthy, the Bears can’t go into 2025 handing anyone a starting job up front — except for right tackle Darnell Wright.
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Round 2, Pick No. 38 (from Carolina): Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
Brugler’s take: “A college left tackle who likely will move inside in the NFL, Milum has coordinated feet and plays stout against defenders who attempt to rush down his center. His killer instinct and ability to seal in the run game also jump off his tape and will help him compete for a starting gig on day one at the next level.”
Once you see “killer instinct” in an offensive lineman’s report, slot him as a good fit for what the Bears need.
West Virginia LT Wyatt Milum (potential top-100 pick) plays like he hates DL. One of the best finishers among this OL class I’ve studied so far. pic.twitter.com/ps3qK6owqw
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) July 26, 2024
The Big 12 offensive lineman of the year, Milum played in 46 games in his college career and joined Campbell as a consensus All-American. According to Pro Football Focus, Milum hasn’t given up a sack since his freshman season.
Who’s starting at guard and center next season? It can’t be all rookies. We’ll see free-agent additions. Maybe Matt Pryor and Coleman Shelton are options to return for depth. Ryan Bates is still under contract. But it’s hard to envision any of them starting Week 1. Pryor might make the most sense. Otherwise, get some Day 1-2 draft picks into the lineup. Milum has the play style and college pedigree to be ready to go.
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Round 2, Pick No. 41: Kyle Kennard, edge, South Carolina
Brugler’s take: “A Georgia Tech transfer, Kennard is in the midst of a career season (SEC-best 1.06 sacks per game). He has almost as many pressures in 2024 (33) as he did his past two seasons combined (35). With his burst off the snap, length to work off blocks and closing speed in pursuit, Kennard has game-wrecker potential.”
Protect the passer and affect the passer. That’s how to win in the NFL. In Kennard, the Bears would be getting someone who had plenty of production in the SEC with ideal size for the position (listed at 6-foot-5, 254 pounds).
#SCAR EDGE Kyle Kennard (6-5, 254)
Viewed as a Day 3 prospect coming into the year, the Georgia Tech transfer has continued to climb up draft boards. Tied for 4th in the FBS in sacks (8.5).
Top-50 worthy player. pic.twitter.com/rVXlx7b2E1
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 2, 2024
Another member of the consensus All-America team, Kennard was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2024.
It’ll be interesting to see how the personnel staff and new coaches rank the potential top-10 pass rushers. There’s Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Georgia edge Mykel Williams and Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr. While the offensive line is the more obvious need, as we learn more about these prospects and sift through more mock drafts, the defensive line may prove to be the better value with the top pick.
Shane Beamer raves about Kyle Kennard pic.twitter.com/SjzmQjnVRG
— Lulu Kesin (@LuluKesin) December 12, 2024
The Bears will bring back defensive end Montez Sweat. We’ll see what they do with DeMarcus Walker, coming off a solid season and entering the last year of his deal. Rookie Austin Booker had only 1 1/2 sacks and four QB hits. Kennard, or any edge player, would likely start opposite Sweat and give next year’s defensive coordinator another weapon to get after the QB.
(Photo of Will Campbell: Scott Kinser / Imagn Images)
