Chicago Bears 7th Round – T/G Charles Leno Jr

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Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears finished up their 2014 NFL Draft by selecting T/G Charles Leno Jr from Boise St. This might be my favorite day 3 pick. Leno started every game for 3 consecutive seasons at both right and left tackle for Boise St. He moves very well laterally for his size, has long arms, gets a good bend in pass pro, and gets good leverage. Leno is a very solid pass blocker, but is not a powerful run blocker. He needs to get a little stronger to get more push blocking in the run game.

At 6’4, Leno is probably too short to play tackle in the NFL and most people project Leno to move inside to guard. I had Leno as a 4th-5th round pick and projected as a back-up tackle / guard initially with starter potential at guard in a year or two. Great value pick for the Bears to end the draft.

My initial scouting report on Leno:

Charles Leno, Boise St (6’4, 303): Was a solid left tackle at Boise St, but Leno might be too small to play tackle in the NFL. He projects well as a guard, but has no experience playing the position so it may take Leno a year or so to get comfortable with the position switch. He has long arms, moves well, and has starter potential at guard. Draft projection: 4th-5th round