Chicago Bears: Trading back in NFL Draft leads to a retooled offense

Chicago Bears Draft: Round 4, Pick No. 137 via TB

With Liam Eichenberg being talked about as the main offensive lineman from Notre Dame in the NFL Draft, many forget about Aaron Banks. With his years of experience playing for Offensive Line University, Banks should see a nice career in the NFL. Banks grades out as the fourth-best interior offensive lineman according to my NFL Draft Big Board.

Banks didn’t see the field until his redshirt freshman season in which he became a starter halfway through the season in 2018. He took a step forward in 2019 progressing as the season went on finishing on a high note in their bowl game. In 2020, Banks cemented himself as a stellar interior offensive lineman earning first-team All-ACC honors.

Banks is a valuable offensive lineman due to his versatility to play both guard and tackle. Although he hasn’t played much tackle, he showed that he can play it. He shows explosion in his blocks and like Teven Jenkins, he plays with a mean and nasty attitude with a desire to bury his defenders. Banks is powerful as well.

With the Bears’ current offensive line, Banks may not start immediately, but he will soon. With Banks, the Bears could move either Cody Whitehair or James Daniels to center and have him play guard, or they could move Jenkins to left tackle and let Banks compete for right tackle. Regardless, he is a steal at this point in the draft.