Last year, almost nobody pinpointed Colston Loveland as the Chicago Bears‘ preferred target in the 2025 NFL draft. Most either had them targeting a left tackle, a pass rusher, or tight end Tyler Warren. A few had a running back mixed in. That is why the Loveland news was shocking when it hit. However, a select few weren’t surprised. Two notable NFL insiders had pinpointed Loveland as the likely target right before the draft last year. They were Matt Miller of ESPN and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports.
Prisco stated that Loveland was a much better fit for new head coach Ben Johnson because of his pass-catching ability. Miller stated he’d been hearing all the way up to the draft that Loveland was the top tight end on Chicago’s board. Both were proven correct. So some people might find it very interesting that Miller and Prisco once again align on not just the same position but the same name in the upcoming 2026 draft. Here’s Miller’s final prediction.
Miller’s pick prediction: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Offseason speculation has centered around the Bears going after an edge rusher or safety here, but my conversations with league sources throughout the past week kept going back to left tackle. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo played well in six starts before suffering a season-ending knee injury that is expected to keep him out in 2026. That opens the door for a left tackle to be picked if one is available. At only 21 years old, Lomu is a two-year starter who is plug-and-play ready on the blindside.
Now here is Prisco’s from a couple of days earlier.
Caleb Lomu OT Utah
They need a left tackle and Lomu might have the best athletic ability of any of them. He needs to add more bulk, which he can do. I like him more than Monroe Freeling, which is why he’s the pick.
Colston Loveland isn’t the only reason to trust these two.
Miller has built a strong reputation in the scouting community for his work over the past several years. It is why ESPN hired him in the first place. He is great at watching tape and connecting certain players to certain teams based on fit. At the same time, he has demonstrated solid sources inside the league, providing him with credible information. As for Prisco, the man was a beat writer for two decades in the NFL before becoming a mainstay on CBS. It is hardly surprising that he might have some pretty solid connections built up over the years.
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One thing the two men share is a love of watching film. The same can be said for Bears head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles. Perhaps that is a big reason why they managed to discern Colston Loveland as the real target last year. Too many other people just looked at the Bears and assessed the pick either based on need or whoever the best tight end was. Most thought it was Warren. However, Loveland was a better fit. The same can be said about Caleb Lomu this year.
Lomu checks some major boxes for the Bears.
Yes, he’s a left tackle, an obvious need following Ozzy Trapilo’s injury. However, it goes beyond that. Johnson said something that was important when asked about evaluating players. He likes ones who fit two categories: polished and young. The coach wants players who already exhibit good fundamentals and intelligence for the game, while also being on the younger side. This means they’re already equipped enough to play but still have plenty of room to keep growing. You saw that with Loveland last year. He was already a good route runner despite being only 21.
It is much the same with Lomu. Despite being only 21 himself, he demonstrates strong technique from his hand placement to his footwork after two years at Utah. His pass protection is considerably more advanced than that of other tackles in this class, which is a big selling point. The primary concern most people have is his lack of strength. He doesn’t showcase great movement in the run game and wasn’t often tested by bull rushes. He will need to bulk up, which can be corrected with the right meal plan and workout routine.
If this is indeed the Bears’ guy, the logic behind it is obvious.
