Chicago Bears find foundational pieces on offense in 2021 NFL Mock Draft

Chicago Bears Round 3, Pick No. 74 via WFT

Unintentionally, I went back-to-back on Stanford prospects selecting Walker Little to reinforce the Chicago Bears’ offensive line. Little could be viewed as either a developmental piece and a potential starter if he can become a starter at left tackle and move Charles Leno over to right tackle.

Little was an immediate impact player for Stanford getting plenty of playing time at left tackle earning himself honorable mention All-Pac 12 honors. Then, in 2018 he started all 13 games at left tackle earning first-team all-conference. His 2019 season was derailed by a knee injury in the first game and then he opted out of 2020. Little has plenty of tape, but it was from years ago which is why he is a third-round pick.

Little is completely a developmental left tackle as he doesn’t have nearly any game tape over the last two seasons. However, Little comes with prototypical size, athleticism, and length to be a great tackle at the next level. He showed a lot of promise in 2018 and to start off 2019, he just may need to catch up to speed missing all that time. Little likely is a strict left tackle as he doesn’t play with much power to be a mauling right tackle.

The Bears have the flexibility to have Little sit for the 2021 season and learn from a veteran at left tackle in Charles Leno who is in a contract year. Additionally, if Little catches up to speed quickly and shows he’s healthy and good to go, the Bears have the flexibility to move Leno to right tackle and let Little start at left tackle.