Second Round (#56) – G Cody Whitehair, Kansas St
Grade: A-
After the Bears signed two interior linemen in free agency (Manny Ramirez, Ted Larsen), the guard position didn’t seem like much of a need in the 2016 draft. With All-Pro Kyle Long moving back inside and solid veteran Matt Slauson manning the two starting guard spots, the position was considered one of the strongest on the team.
The Bears passed on a couple of first-round talents (Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson) in the second round, not once but twice, by trading down from the 41st pick all the way to the 56th and selecting a guard who seemed like a luxury pick considering their existing depth at the position.
That shouldn’t be considered a knock on Whitehair, who I had graded as one of the best 25 players overall and the top guard in the draft. The pick made more sense a couple of days later when the Bears released veteran guard and team leader Matt Slauson.
While I don’t understand or agree with the move to let Slauson go, it does open up a starting position for Whitehair. There will be a lot of competition for the starting role between Whitehair and competent veterans Ramirez and Larsen, but on talent alone Whitehair has a significant advantage.
For a detailed breakdown on Whitehair check out the pick analysis link above, but in summary… He was talented enough to be one of the best left tackles in the Big12 last season, excelled at three different positions in college, was one of the most technically sound o-linemen in the draft, moves very well for his size, and has a nasty demeanor that fans will appreciate right away.
The fact that the Bears were willing to jettison an above-average left guard in Slauson to open up a position for Whitehair should give you an idea how highly the Bears think of his ability. It’s a risky move, but they have the veteran depth ready in case Whitehair isn’t up for the task.
Whitehair was one of safest picks in the draft and a player who should be able to step in right away and hold his own at the NFL level. I don’t think he’s a better player than Slauson right now, but he could be in a season or two and Whitehair is a better fit for OC Dowell Loggains zone-blocking scheme.
Projected Role: Starting Left Guard
Projected Stats: 16 starts, All-Rookie Team
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