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Arrows Pointing to Chicago Bears Drafting O-Lineman in First Round

By Clyde A. Speller

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) during the game in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) during the game in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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At this point in the offseason, free-agent signings tend to slow down dramatically, and more focus is put on the draft. The Chicago Bears have made a lot of major moves in revamping their team, mainly on the defensive side of the ball. The way things are going, it looks as if general manager Ryan Pace will direct his attention to the offense in the 2016 NFL Draft.

“We need a swing guy. We’ll probably address that shortly in the latter part of free agency.”-John Fox

During the NFL owners’ meeting, head coach John Fox touched on the fact that Chicago needs to add depth to the offensive line. “We need a swing guy. We’ll probably address that shortly in the latter part of free agency,” Fox said according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The Bears definitely need depth. Most of the reserve O-linemen currently on the roster have very little on-field experience at best. After looking at who’s available in free agency, I’d have to disagree with Fox. It seems that getting an offensive lineman in the draft rather than via free agency will be their best bet.

There are only a handful of offensive tackles that are starter material left in the free-agency pool. Khalif Barnes (Oakland Raiders), Will Beatty (New York Giants), and Jake Long (Atlanta Falcons) are among those few OTs that have had significant time on the field. However, they are all on the wrong side of the age of 30. And Nate Chandler of the Carolina Panthers is young enough at 26, but is coming off of a season where he was on injured reserve with a knee injury. Furthermore, Chandler is a right tackle, and the Bears’ need is on the left side. None of these linemen should be trusted to help strengthen the Bears’ offensive front. This is more of a reason why Chicago should draft a left tackle with their 11th overall pick in April.

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Pace has already added Bobby Massie at right tackle, which moves Pro Bowler Kyle Long back to right guard. Along with Hroniss Grasu at center, and Matt Slauson at left guard, the Bears are one piece away from having a much-improved O-line from last season. Jermon Bushrod, whose play has diminished, is no longer with the team, and Charles Leno Jr. currently has the starting spot at left tackle. Leno did a decent job when called upon to protect the blindside of quarterback Jay Cutler, but Chicago can do much better by drafting a left tackle that can potentially turn this offensive front into one of the best in the NFL.

By the time the Bears are on the clock in the first round of the draft, Laremy Tunsil, the top-rated offensive tackle, will definitely be off the board. This will more than likely leave Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State’s Jack Conklin as possible candidates to be Chicago’s first pick. Both Stanley and Conklin are considered to be upgrades from Leno. Adding either one of them will put Leno back as a reserve that can be depended upon if the injury bug attacks, and will give the Bears some much-needed depth along the offensive line.

With the quality of talent at a minimum in the free-agency pool, it’s looking more and more evident that Chicago will be going after their left tackle of the future in the first round of this year’s draft.

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