Chicago Bears NFL Draft Target: Aireontae Ersery

Matt Krohn - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 5 hours ago

It's no secret that the Bears offensive line has been a massive issue since their last division title in 2018. Whether through the draft or free agency, the Bears were never able to improve that offensive line. That was ultimately the demise of Justin Fields and led to the struggles of now second year man Caleb Williams throughout his rookie season.

If the 2025 NFL offseason is any indication of what is to come, the Bears are not only prioritizing the offensive line but are willing to go above and beyond to ensure those struggles don't linger any longer. Adding to their offensive line with the No.10 overall pick could be the final piece to the Bears' offseason puzzle, but having that pick also comes with plenty of other options based on who is available.

Should the Bears pass on an offensive lineman at No. 10, Chicago still owns three picks on day two that they could add to the line. Should that be the case, plenty of talented options should remain, as this is by far the deepest offensive line class in recent memory. One name that hasn't been mentioned a ton but should be is Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, who could be a day-two option for the Bears.

Listed as an offensive tackle, which could be the lone weakness remaining on the line, Ersery is a massive 6-6 and 331 pounds, which is the ideal size you look for in a tackle. Adding him would give Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright the competition they need to perhaps get them to play at the level they can play at.

Competition is never a bad thing, as it tends to drive players to become the best version of themselves. When you look at Ersery and what he brings to the table, you get a very experienced college player ready to thrive at the next level. Ersery is one of the more powerful players in this class and uses his three-year starter experience to maximize his power, as he knows when to tone it down if needed.

Known for someone who doesn't play as fluidly as you would like, Ersery has had a tendency to be at a disadvantage when going against players with good leverage. That will have to change at the NFL, as the power aspect of his game will only get him so far if he doesn't have the consistent leverage to back it up.

When you look at how PJ Fleck runs his offense in Minnesota, Ersery is very experienced in a zone-run offense, which Ben Johnson would love to create in Chicago. As good as he has been on those outside zone plays, he may be better suited for an inside-the-tackle type of running game, as that would allow him to use his power to his advantage.

Despite his massive size up front, which is his overall strength, Ersery also has more speed than many expect, which could create matchup problems for some of the less athletic defensive line players in the NFL. As he sits now, Ersery is nowhere near ready to be a day-one starter. Still, he currently grades out as an average to above-average lineman capable of becoming a great rotational piece.

However, it will take more than that to make a name for yourself in this league, so look for Ersery to do what it takes to see the field more where he can use his size and skill to create matchup problems across the board. When it comes to NFL player comps, there are a lot of guys that you could compare Ersery too, but Marcus Cannon is the one that comes to mind the most.

Similar in size at 6-6 and 335 pounds, the now 35-year-old Patriots lineman has had an outstanding NFL career and is nearing the end of his football time. Ersery can only hope to last as long as Cannon has and if that happens, it would solidify him as one of the good offensive line prospects in this season's class.