4 American OL the Chicago Bears must watch at Senior Bowl

We are knee-deep into Senior Bowl practices and there are already some standouts flashing. I’m still not allowing the practices to sway me here though. I wanted these articles to come out sooner, but time just hasn’t been on my side. The players I am wanting the Chicago Bears to focus on were guys I was excited about before Senior Bowl practice started on Tuesday. Some have already flashed in practice, while others have just been showing up. Either way, the college tape on these guys tells me more than a few practices and the Chicago Bears should be interested.

Luke Getsy has the inside look at the American Senior Bowl team since he was named the head coach. I already mentioned how there are four offensive linemen on the National team the Chicago Bears need to keep an eye on. Now, I’m switching things up and focusing on the American team. Just like the National team, there are four offensive linemen I’m interested in on the American team.

Chicago Bears Senior Bowl Scouting: Steve Avila, OG/C – TCU

Here’s a player who has yet to stand out to me at the Senior Bowl practices. That said, I do like what I have seen from him on film. Steve Avila is not a player I’d reach up for though. He has to show me more this week to think he’s worth anything more than a late, third-round pick. If he fell to the fourth round, he’d be worth the pick by the Chicago Bears.

Avila projects as an interior offensive lineman who has plenty of versatility. He has experience playing center, left guard, right guard, and even right tackle for the TCU Horned Frogs. The problem is, versatility doesn’t always mean good things in the NFL. I’d prefer a player who is one of the best at one position. However, for a mid-round pick, Avila would make for a solid option.

In his four years at TCU, Avila allowed four sacks. In 2022, when TCU made a huge run into the College Football Playoffs, Avila didn’t let up any sacks. He is fairly quick off the snap but can be hesitant at times when pass blocking. He has good strength and isn’t known for letting up on his blocks too early. I’m sure Ryan Poles will appreciate his nastiness at times, but at 6’4″ and 332 pounds, he doesn’t fit the mold Poles has shown he likes based on his prior moves.