Chicago Bears Post Draft: Offensive Line review

How does the Chicago Bears offensive line look now that the 2018 NFL draft has come and passed?

One thing the Chicago Bears needed to do this offseason was beef up their offensive line. They let some names go, added to the depth and overall have a more versatile group than a season before. How versatile is this line and what does each unit have in terms of depth?

Tackles

Starters: Bobby Massie and Charles Leno

A lot of fans are going to walk away from the offseason thinking that because the Chicago Bears did not invest in upgrading over either tackle, this period was a failure.

However, last offseason Leno was re-signed to an extension and had a 2018 season that PFF graded above average. Leno has started every game in the past two seasons, the Bears clearly trust him more than the fans.

With that said, Massie will come into 2018 as the weak link of the offensive line. Massie graded out below average last season and has not lived up to his contract. Massie is a free agent at the end of the season, and the Bears should be spending their summer seeing if any of their versatile depth options could step up before they replace Massie outside of the organization next season.

Versatile Depth Options: Bradley Sowell, Earl Watford, Brandon Greene

Sowell was signed last season to serve in the swing tackle role. However, injuries on the interior moved him inside for most of the season. With the addition of James Daniels and the return of Eric Kush, the hope is that Sowell spends 2018 as the pure swing tackle.

Earl Watford will be competing for that role as well. Watford has played right guard, left guard and right tackle in his four seasons with Arizona. Last season the team held onto Sowell and Tom Compton as tackles who can kick inside if needed. This opens a door for Watford to try to earn the Compton spot.

Last season Brandon Greene was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Alabama. Greene played tight end, tackle and even defense with the Crimson Tide. The Bears are transitioning him to a full-time tackle and after one season on practice squad, they will be looking to see how much he grew.

Guards

Starters: James Daniels, Kyle Long

Daniels played center at Iowa last season but fits in with this versatile front as a player who could play guard and center. Due to his lack of power, and excellence when it comes to getting out on the move, the Bears like his original NFL slot to be guard, filling in for Josh Sitton.

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It is worth noting with the theme of versatility that Long did play tackle for a full season. However, the Chicago Bears are just hoping for a full and healthy season for Kyle Long at his original position.

Versatile Depth Options: Jordan Morgan, Eric Kush, Cameron Lee, Travis Averill

Jordan Morgan was the classic Ryan Pace, “who?” pick of 2017. He was a tackle at Kutztown for four seasons, but likely transitions to the NFL at guard or center. Morgan spent his entire rookie season on the IR. The hope is by year two, he can serve as depth on the active roster.

Eric Kush missed all of last season with a torn hamstring. The team was very happy with his progression before he went down, and his injury is what caused the team to be so thin and move Sowell inside. Kush can play center if needed, but if healthy, he should slot in as the third guard and a great depth piece.

Cameron Lee was a tackle at Illinois State who went undrafted and tried out guard in the NFL. He spent training camp with the Bengals and ended his season with the Bears.

Travis Averill is a former Boise State tackle who is attempting to move to the inside. Averill is a strong athlete who lacks the technique and precision to see a real chance in the NFL right now.

Center

Starter: Cody Whitehair

Whitehair, like Daniels, can play guard or center. Heck, Whitehair can play tackle if needed. However, after an up and down year two with a new quarterback, the Bears are hoping his third season, and second with Mitchell Trubisky has him back on track. As a rookie, Whitehair brought All-Pro upside. If he can back to that, the team will be happy they kept him at center and moved Daniels to guard.

Versatile Depth Options: Hronnis Grasu, Dejon Allen

Grasu is going to have to watch his roster spot. The fact of the matter is that literally every offensive lineman on this roster, top to bottom, brings more versatility than Grasu. Grasu only plays center. Last season the team had to shuffle Whitehair to guard and Grasu to center due to lack of depth. This now makes two positions worse and hinders the Whitehair development. Kush, Morgan, Daniels and more could slot into center this year if needed. That is not good news for Grasu.

Dejon Allen is another tackle who the Bears signed after the 2018 NFL draft. However, Allen is projected to be in the interior. Allen was a prized recruit who made his way to Hawaii. After being a stud tackle, he now focuses on moving inside. Allen will likely spend a season the practice squad adjusting. However, Lance Zierlein, a noted offensive line aficionado has a Roberto Garza for Allen as a stylistic comparison. The hope would be that with time he can slowly grow into that mold of player for the Chicago Bears.

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Chicago Bears Post Draft: OL review

By Parker Hurley | May 8, 2018