The Chicago Bears are reportedly using one of their 30 in-person visits to meet with offensive lineman Kenyon Green. Many see Green as a late first-round pick, but if he did fall to the second round it appears as though the team wants to get to know Green to see if he would be a fit.
Who is Kenyon Green?
Kenyon Green was one of the highest-rated recruits in the country when he graduated high school. He wound up at Texas A&M and started during his true freshman. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 2,175 snaps, missing just the bowl game of his junior year.
During his three-year career Green lined up at left guard 50.5% of his snaps, right guard 39.2% of his snaps, right tackle 6.5%, left tackle 3.7%, and he even took one snap at center.
He was in pass protection on 55% of his snaps and allowed five sacks, 14 hits, and 29 hurries. Still, four sacks, seven hits, and 17 hurries came during his true freshman season.
Thanks to mockdraftable.com we can see how Kenyon Green compares to other offensive linemen from past NFL combine years.
Kenyon Green is short and thick, whether you compare him to guards or tackles. His arm length is well-above-average as well, though.
For his weight, he has a great 40-time and an about average 10-yard split. There are concerns about his athleticism, though. His vertical and broad are not great, but his 20-yard shuttle is the most concerning. It shows that Green is not flexible and light on his feet, which may be concerning with his transition to the NFL.
Where Kenyon Green will fit best in the NFL
Overall, the obvious pro when it comes to the Kenyon Green projection is his versatility. He can play tackle but probably fits best at guard, and it is nice to know that Green is able to play right and left guard.
Kenyon Green is at his best when in pass protection. He does a good job of picking up stunts, and his body ability to anchor and hold up bigger defense tackles is apparent. In the run game, he is best when getting to the second level where his massive frame can engulf defenders.
When you add in his basic traits, experience and the fact that he is still 20 years old he presents a combination of a high floor with a high ceiling.
Where Kenyon Green may struggle in the NFL
The pre-draft process may not have been the best for Kenyon Green, as some of his traits contradict themself. Green plays with light feet and is quick off of the football, but the athletic testing, particularly the 20-yard shuttle shows that this may not translate against better athletes.
Beyond that, he is powerful with his combination of length and violent hand usage. However, he has to reign in his hand usage because at times it can be his biggest weakness as it can cause his body to get out of control.
NFL Comparison for Kenyon Green
More than many positions the 20-yard shuttle translates well to NFL success with offensive linemen. However, there is one good comparison that makes plenty of sense when it comes to the projection of Kenyon Green.
When you combine his athletic testing and his on-field play, the best NFL comparison for Kenyon Green is Andre Gurode. Thanks to RAS we can see how they compare below.
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Gurode is a great comparison because both came into the NFL with versatility being a key, and Gurode translated that versatility into being a long-time starter at multiple positions.
What is interesting to note is that Gurode was drafted 37th overall, which is a similar draft range for Kenyon Green, and right near the Chicago Bears pick.
Gurode started in the NFL for nine seasons, made five Pro Bowls, and one All-Pro. If you said that was a career outcome for Kenyon Green it would be a success at his draft slot. That is the type of player you should expect as well, a consistent starter who is not All-Pro every year but is in the Pro Bowl conversation most seasons.
Should Chicago Bears draft Kenyon Green?
When you combine the Chicago Bears bringing in Kenyon Green to Halas Hall, and the fact that the last offensive lineman to have a 20-yard shuttle as poor as Green fell out of round one, there is a chance that the Bears believe he could fall around their draft slot.
They have to be ready to make a decision on him if he does fall. If he were there at pick 39 it would make plenty of sense that he would fit the Chicago bears. they could stick him at right guard, and know that his versatility could go a long way.
His position versatility and violence are exactly what Ryan Poles wants so the Chicago Bears could very well be the floor for where Kenyon Green gets drafted.