The Chicago Bears are slowly stacking their list of 30 private visits with incoming NFL draft prospects. While these don’t always tell the story of how things unfold, they do offer an indication of what GM Ryan Poles may have planned. For instance, the Bears used several such visits to meet with potential late round picks and undrafted free agents, suggesting they would be active in both areas. That proved correct. In 2023, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Tyler Scott, and Gervon Dexter all visited them. So did Ricky Stromberg, who signed with them last year after getting cut by Washington.
Last year? Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and Kiran Amegadjie all met with the team. Make no mistake. These top 30 visits usually offer clear indications of what Poles is thinking. That is what makes the most recent name to pop up on the 2025 class so interesting. Gary Ross reported that N.C. State offensive tackle Anthony Belton met with the team this week. He started three years in college as a left tackle before earning considerable buzz during the pre-draft process, especially at the Senior Bowl.
The Chicago Bears’ interest in Belton suggests their draft plan.
As of now, they’ve met two offensive tackles for private visits. One is Belton. The other is Josh Conerly of Oregon. Both have one key thing in common. Current draft projections have them going somewhere on day two in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Ozzy Trapilo of Boston College is another name they’ve spoken to, though that was at the scouting combine. Poles said that Chicago is hoping to add more competition at left tackle, given the uncertainty facing both Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie. One is recovering from a broken ankle, and the other is still raw.
Belton is the kind of player Ben Johnson would like. His power shows up in run-blocking and pass-protection. The athletic limitations could make him a questionable fit at left tackle, though. He might be better served on the right side, which makes his fit with the Chicago Bears uncertain. They already have a fixture there with Darnell Wright. Perhaps they think Belton can handle the left side. That depends on what offensive line coach Dan Roushar thinks.
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