5 rookie OL Chicago Bears could have drafted

The Chicago Bears need offensive line help this offseason and were negligent

You can blame the quarterback and play-caller, and neither should be absolved from the Chicago Bears offensive struggles. However, the biggest issue for the Bears right now is their offensive line. The line fell apart in 2019, and the Bears mainly just brought the gang back.

We wrote all offseason of potential signings and draft picks, but they passed each option for Germain Ifedi and no depth to speak of. While Ifedi has played well, and a James Daniels injury hurt things, the line was depleted and without depth, this was expected to happen.

What makes this all more frustrating is that according to PFF, 9 rookie offensive guards have taken over 20% of their team’s offensive snaps. 20% is not a lot, but in case someone like Daniels went down, we have seen nine rookies who may have been able to fill in.

Three have played over 50% of their team’s offensive snaps. What makes this even more painful is that only one of the nine players, and none of those three were out of reach for the Chicago Bears. Who are five players that easily could have helped the Bears offensive line in 2020?

5. Kevin Dotson

The Chicago Bears traded a future draft pick to get into the 5th round to select Trevis Gipson. 20 picks prior, the Pittsburgh Steelers landed a potential future starter in Kevin Dotson. Dotson has only played 92 snaps for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, when David DeCastro, a well-respected guard was injured, the Steelers called on their fourth-round rookie and he excelled.

Dotson graded out as one of the best pass blockers in his limited time according to PFF. He has played left guard and right guard, meaning he likely could have started at either in Chicago if needed.

Yes, the Bears did not have a pick between their second and fifth-rounder. Still, as noted, they traded up for a guy who does not play at all. If they prioritized the line, they could have moved up a few spots more and taken Dotson. Even if they traded down from the Cole Kmet, as we had suggested, they would have had extra day three picks and been in the running for a player like him. It has to hurt to see an undefeated Steelers team rely on a fifth-round rookie to start at guard for two games, though.