If the Chicago Bears do not draft a tackle high, they are going to have to find some options later in the draft. The reality is that even if they draft a tackle high they should still be looking at day three guys to fill the depth. If they are looking deep in the draft for some real sleepers, who are the names to watch for?
3. Carter Warren from Pittsburgh is a sleeper for the Chicago Bears
Carter Warren is an interesting name to keep an eye on. He is a four-year starter for the Pitt Panthers and was starting on the blindside when Kenny Pickett rose to the first round and was invited to the Heisman ceremony.
However, four games into his 2022 season Warren suffered a season-ending injury. It has not been disclosed, but it is obviously serious because Warren did not work out at the NFL Combine or at his pro day. Of course, he was invited to the combine because teams are so interested in his medicals.
The issue is obviously his health, but 2022 was going to be big for him to improve his stock. Carter Warren has some technical issues to work out, and had a chance to do so, but lost it with his injury. So, this is a fifth-year player who will not be ready to start and is not even healthy as of now.
When he gets healthy, he may be able to compete with Braxton Jones but is likely viewed as a redshirt season. This will have him on day three. Still, the Chicago Bears need depth, and if he does arise healthily and improve in 2024, it could really help.
2. Will Chicago Bears have interest in Old Dominion OL Nick Saldiveri
Coming from Old Dominion it is easy to see yourself as a sleeper. Nick Saldiveri is just that despite being a three-starter for the Monarchs. He started at right tackle in 2019 before the COVID year wiped away his 2020. Still, he then put up two full seasons as a starter.
He allowed five sacks in 2021, and that went down to zero in 2022. Overall, Saldiveri plays technically sound. The big question with him will come down to his arm length. He is over 33", so it is not as big of an issue as someone like Peter Skoronski, but at the same time, you can see this as an issue on tape.
He worked at guard at the Senior Bowl, and the reality is that one of the draws he brings is that he can be an inside-outside player who may be technically skilled enough to provide depth at four offensive line positions. Still, there are questions about whether he can start at tackle.
At the least from the Chicago Bears' perspective, they see a guy with a lot of work at right tackle. The tape is good enough, and they just have to wonder about the competition and the fit.
1. Dalton Wagner is a Chicago Bears day three option
If the Chicago Bears are looking hard at right tackles because they did not go left tackle early, they may be interested in Dalton Wagner from Arkansas. He brings a lot of intrigues when you see that he stands at 6'8". The issue is that at that size, he can lose the leverage battle, and he is not an overpowering player.
However, the size can be an advantage for him, especially on the right side. Wagner knows how to use his size and length to his advantage. He is better in pass protection than he is as a run blocker because it is just hard for athletes to get around somebody that big, especially when he has a great drop step.
The questions come as a run blocker. On one hand, you can say that it is much harder to teach pass protection, and it will be easier to add some tenacity. On the flip side, at his size, it is hard for him to generate real power without exposing himself.
Still, this is a player with four years of right tackle work. He is a good athlete, and we know that Ryan Poles will swing at good athletes on the offensive line when it comes to day three. That puts Dalton Wagner firmly on the Chicago Bears' radar.