Chicago Bears: 7-Round Mock Draft

Round 5: OT Antonio Garcia (6’7 | 302 | 4.94) 

A four-year starter at left tackle who is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection. Garcia has ideal length for a left tackle and moves very well with quick enough feet to neutralize speed rushers off the edge.

He hasn’t played against much top competition in the Sun Belt, but more than held his own in Troy’s near upset over Clemson early this season. Garcia showed significant improvement as a senior and faces a big test in the Senior Bowl, which could boost his stock much higher than round five.

Garcia has ideal size, arm length, and quick feet for an NFL left tackle, but he’ll need to prove that he can handle NFL caliber speed rushers. He’ll also need to improve his run blocking at the next level as he’s more of a finesse player right now.

NFL teams value pass blocking more than run blocking in left tackles and Garcia has a rare combination of traits that could be developed into a quality tackle on the left side. Linemen can always bulk up, but Garica’s length and quick feet are unique enough that he will get drafted at some point. Right now I’d project he’s a day three pick, but a strong draft season could push him up to day two.

The Bears have a solid left tackle in Charles Leno Jr but they have little to no depth outside and I could see them using a mid-round pick on a tackle like Garcia, who has the potential to develop into a starter on the left side or fill in on the right side short-term.

*Also considered: OT Erik Magnuson, Michigan; S Orion Stewart, Oregon; WR KD Cannon, Baylor; RB Donnell Pumphrey, San Deigo St; WR Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse; OLB Ejuan Price, Pitt; WR Ryan Switzer, North Carolina