Bears Official Draft Visits (Part 3)

OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame (6’6 | 312 | 5.18) – One of the top tackle prospects in the draft who probably won’t be available when the Bears pick at eleven, but he could slip or the Bears could trade up if they think Stanley is worth it. He has excellent footwork as a left tackle, some of the longest arms in the draft (35 5/8″), and his pass blocking skills are already NFL quality.

The potential problem with Stanley is a lack of strength; He didn’t bench at the combine, so there is no measurable to analyze, but he was overpowered often in college especially against the elite defensive ends Stanley faced. He’s going to face better defensive ends every game at the next level and may need a year or two in the weight room before he can contribute on Sundays.

G Joshua Garnett, Stanford (6’4 | 312 | 527) – My second best guard prospect in the draft and not far behind Kansas St’s Cody Whitehair. The Bears added some depth at guard through free agency, but need some young talent at the position and Garnett has the potential to be a Pro Bowl interior linemen. He was one of the only guards at the Senior Bowl who could handle the impressive collection of defensive line talent in Mobile. Garnett isn’t an explosive athlete, but has a stout build and elite strength to drive d-linemen off the line and create running lanes. His pass blocking has improved every season and his technique is sound enough to contribute as a rookie.

OT Alex Lewis, Nebraska (6’6 | 312 | 5.22) – Limited athletically but technically sound tackle with decent footwork, good strength, ideal length, and a nasty demeanor that allowed him to be an effective left tackle in the Big Ten. Lewis has the size, aggressiveness, and fundamentals to play in the NFL but has some off-field red flags.

He started his career at Colorado but was arrested for third-degree assault after leaving an Air Force cadet unconscious in a bar brawl. Lewis then ran into some trouble at Nebraska with some controversial tweets and interactions with the fans. His maturity is definitely a question mark, but he has the potential to be a solid right tackle in the NFL and should be available on day three of the draft.

Next: Impact Potential