Round 1 Ι Pick 20: The Chicago Bears select OT Liam Eichenberg
Before looking to solidify the quarterback position, the Bears need to find an offensive tackle of the future. Right now, Charles Leno and Bobby Massie aren’t cutting it. It doesn’t matter how much money the two of them are making, they need to be challenged or replaced.
This pick is kind of ironic because of the fact that two other former Notre Dame offensive linemen are playing extremely well for the Bears right now. Both Alex Bars and Sam Mustipher have stepped up and been significant reasons why the line has been better in both pass and run blocking.
Getting Liam Eichenberg in Chicago would mean the Bears have a Day 1 starter at either tackle position, depending on which current starter loses the competition. Eichenberg is 6-foot-6 and has NFL size right off the bat. He’s a strong guy up top who can force his way into creating run lanes as well as create some room for his quarterback with a heavy punch.
This is a tackle who succeeds the most in the run game, which is great news for a team leaning much more on David Montgomery down the stretch. The Bears have learned to pound the rock now that their line is making it possible.
Eichenberg is about as solid of a tackle prospect as there is beyond the first 15 picks, and the Bears would have no reservations about his ability to play immediately.