The Bears frustrated a lot of fans in attendance at the draft by moving back not once, but twice in the second round before selecting G/T Cody Whitehair out of Kansas St. The Bears traded out of the #41 slot to move back to #49 and pick up 4th round picks this year and next. When the Bears pick at #49 came up, Pace decided to move back again picking up another 4th round pick and dropping to #56 overall. The Bears finally decided to use their second round pick at #56 and selected Whitehair.
Considering that I had Whitehair listed as the sixth best pick available in the 2nd round earlier today, I’m stoked that the Bears were able to get him at #56 while picking up three 4th round picks in the process. The Bears needed offensive line depth in a bad way and picked up one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the draft.
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Whitehair was a four year starter in college and played full seasons at left tackle, right tackle, and guard. He has shorter arms (32 3/8″) than ideal for an NFL tackle, so will most likely be utilized as a guard for the Bears. I wouldn’t rule out Whitehair contributing at tackle as well though; he was first team All-Big12 as a left tackle last season and 2nd team in 2014 in a very pass-happy conference. Whitehair’s arms may be too short to play on the left side against elite NFL rush ends, but he’s a powerful run blocker with a sound enough technique to hold up on the right side.
Here is my take on Whitehair from my best available post earlier today:
"G Cody Whitehair, Kansas St – My favorite offensive linemen still on the board. Whitehair started for four years with full seasons at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard. He excelled at all three spots and has the clean technique, power, and nasty demeanor to contribute in multiple spots at the next level.His best NFL position is probably guard, which isn’t a glaring need for the Bears but offensive line depth is. Whitehair can hold his own anywhere on the line, but has Pro Bowl potential at both guard and right tackle."
Whitehair will most likely be a back-up as a rookie, providing valuable depth on the interior line and may be a safety-valve on the right side if free agent signing Bobby Massie doesn’t pan out. By 2017 Whitehair could push for the job of veteran guard Matt Slauson or Massie at right tackle.
It’s not a flashy pick, but the Bears got a future starter on the offensive line who many draft pundits had going late in the first round. Whitehair was my top rated guard in this draft and a steal at #56 in the 2nd round.
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