Would the Chicago Bears consider Oregon guard Shane Lemieux in the 2020 NFL draft?
Shane Lemieux stepped on the Oregon campus and became the starter at left guard. He started all four seasons in his career at Oregon, and after the Ducks recent Rose Bowl win, their offensive line was regarded as one of the best in the country.
Lemieux has the experience to step in right away and start on the offensive line, but the Pac 12 is a long way from the NFL. What are his strengths and weaknesses, and where could he fit in with the Chicago Bears?
Strengths
Lemieux is a mauler in the running game. He is extremely physical and packs a mean punch with strong hands and great size. In the clip below you can see his hand usage and violent release on a quick screen pass. Oregon ran a lot of quick passing, and Lemieux was quick out of his stance to punch consistently.
Violent screen release from Shane Lemieux pic.twitter.com/P2uYfXpLtG
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) December 11, 2019
Weaknesses
In a quick passing offense, he did not have to hold blocks for very long. He gets caught lunging at times, looking for a quick strike, and can miss, taking himself out of the play. His pass sets will take some development as well. He can pull, but Lemieux can whiff in the open field at times.
Fit with Chicago Bears
The biggest question for Lemieux in Chicago would be that he has played all four years of his career at left guard. James Daniels and Cody Whitehair have played strictly at left guard, and the Bears biggest hole is currently right guard.
This is a transition that can happen, but it would take time for Lemieux. When you combine that with his lack of progression in pass sets, the Bears would have to draft him with the understanding that he may not start in Week One.
However, the Bears also could be seeing a great solution to their run game woes. There is no doubt that down the line, Lemieux could be remembered as a run grader.
Fortunately for Chicago, he is a senior with pass protection issues that need to be ironed, playing a position that is not sexy and can fall down draft boards.
Projections have him going at the earliest in round three, but as late as the sixth or seventh round. The Bears would likely have to pass on him in the first three rounds, as they need players who can make immediate impacts with those picks. However, in the fourth round or later, fans should have no issue adding a bulldog like Lemieux.