Darnell Wright has played great since the Bears selected him 10th-overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He does not have a long-term contract in place, but he’ll get one. The team still has the option to pick up his $19 million team option for 2027. It’s the other side of the line that has uncertainty. It will either be Brxton Jones, Theo Benedet, or Ozzt Trapilo. There is also the chance that their one-year gamble on Jedrick Wills pays off, but if not, they need to draft someone.

Florida tackle Austin Barber is available at pick 89, and the Bears won’t pass him up. He has great size (6’7 and 318 pounds) and good athleticism (5.12 forty and 32″ vertical). He has great footwork, and that could be attributed to his basketball background. He clamps onto defenders with vice-like hands, and he has performed at a high level in college football’s toughest conference.

Barber can be walked back by powerful bull rushers and needs to work on his anchor. In the running game, he doesn’t take advantage of his size. He often needs teammates’ help to move defenders, which means he needs to develop a nasty streak for prolonged success.