With NFL free agency winding down, all 32 teams are now shifting their focus to the 2025 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears are set to be one of the most active teams on draft weekend, holding four picks inside the top 75. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson will have ample opportunities to add quality talent to their roster.
In the second and third rounds, the Bears will have selections at picks 39, 41, and 72, giving them a chance to secure key building blocks who could become valuable contributors. The team recently revamped its offensive line, trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney and signing Drew Dalman in free agency.
Meanwhile, with Braxton Jones coming off a season-ending injury and entering the final year of his contract, the Bears face a tough decision for 2026—whether to extend Jones or let him test free agency. Should they decide to move on, the team will need to find a new left tackle. With four picks inside the top 100, drafting and developing a left tackle in 2025 could be a smart move. One prospect flying under the radar this spring is Minnesota Golden Gophers left tackle Aireontae Ersery, a three-year starter at the position.
Ersery may not be the most athletic player on the field, but he has the strength and skill to get the job done. Here’s an excerpt from his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
“Three-year starter at left tackle with good power. Ersery is not a natural bender, which creates disadvantages with leverage and when attempting to mirror moving fronts. He’s well-versed in Minnesota’s outside zone attack, but might be more consistent in power, inside zone and hat-on-hat matchups. He’s huge, but he sets with good quickness to the rush, using his length and hand strength to gather it or lock it out. His anchor is derived from his upper half, which opens him to hand counters. Ersery has the potential to become an average starting tackle on the right side, but his success will be tied to matchups across from him.”
Ultimately, the Bears’ draft strategy in 2025 could hinge on finding a left tackle like Ersery to help maintain and build on the progress made in their offensive line overhaul.
Strengths:
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Experience: Ersery has spent the past three seasons as a starting left tackle for the Gophers, so he’s battle-tested at the next level.
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Mobility: Once he gets into space, he moves with ease.
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Run Blocking: He consistently clears defenders off the ball during the running game.
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Size: His enormous frame is one of his most attractive traits.
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Blocking Technique: He finishes and sustains blocks with the aggressive, tenacious demeanor required on the offensive line.
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Length: His reach should help him develop into a reliable NFL tackle.
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Upper Body Strength: His physicality forces defenders to fight him on every play.
Weaknesses:
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Hand Placement: He needs to refine his initial punches for better effectiveness.
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Leverage: He sometimes loses leverage against much smaller defenders.
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Reaction: He tends to fall for defenders’ false steps too easily.
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Pad Level: His pad level could use some improvement.
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Hip Flexibility: Tape shows his hip mobility is quite limited.
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Edge Rushers: He can struggle at times against faster edge rushers.
Final Thoughts:
Compared to other left tackle prospects in this April’s draft, Ersery brings a solid mix of experience, raw athleticism, and the potential to evolve into a dependable pass protector and an even more effective run blocker. While his technique isn’t as polished as some of his peers, his growth potential is undeniable.
Projecting his draft position is challenging; he could slide anywhere from late in the first round to a day two prospect, depending largely on scheme fit and his development trajectory. For teams like the Bears, his raw physical talent makes him an appealing target for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson. Although he might need a year to fully realize his potential, Ersery could provide a significant boost to an offensive line and become a key building block for the future.
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