Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou is projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and he's been linked to the Chicago Bears in multiple mock drafts.
The Bears, who hold the 10th overall pick, could be considering Membou to further strengthen an offensive line that's saw a complete overhaul of the interior positions. Membou would immediately challenge three-year starter Braxton Jones at left tackle.
Playing three seasons for the Missouri Tigers, Membou established himself as one of the best tackles in college football, and then showed his freakish athleticism during the NFL Scouting Combine last month. In 2,100 career snaps, Membou only gave up three sacks in his collegiate career which drew the praise of his coach Eli Drinkwitz.
During a recent appearance on "Up & Adams Show" with Kay Adams, Drinkwitz discussed just how special Membou is and what he brings to the table.
"I was trying to get him to come back [to Missouri] cause I thought he could be the first overall pick next season," Drinkwitz said. "He believed in himself and said he's going to go prove that he can play tackle in the NFL. We all knew he was going to test unbelievable at the combine. When you watch the tape, he's got rare athleticism and raw strength, he can play both guard and tackle, I believe he'll play early.
"If you're a team that has a franchise quarterback, the best friend of a franchise quarterback is a solid left tackle or right tackle that you know can block anybody in the NFL. Armand has given up only three sacks in 2100 snaps. If you're in the Top 10 and you have a franchise quarterback, I think you'd be absolutely crazy, if you're quarterback has been getting hit a ton, to not take Membou."
At just 20-years old, Membou will be one of the youngest players taken early, and it did sound like a message to the Bears and other franchises who need offensive line help. After the Bears gave up a league-high 68 sacks on Caleb Williams in 2024, Drinkwitz believes his star lineman will be an immediate game changer at the next level.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Did Armand Membou's college coach send a message to the Bears?
