Which Tackles fit Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles criteria in 2023 NFL draft

Last night the Chicago Bears released a video that took fans through their offseason process as they get ready for the 2023 NFL draft. There has been plenty of behind-the-scenes videos that made rounds, including a picture that highlights what the team looks for in their prospects. At offensive tackle, they add three things listed: pass protection, length, and foot quickness.

It immediately sent up a radar that the team may not be as into Peter Skoronski as some want, because of the length. Still, who else does it eliminate? Below is a list of the 2023 NFL draft prospects in the Athletic draft guide that have an arm length over 34.5", which is considered above average

Paris Johnson

Broderick Jones

Dawand Jones

Carter Warren

Wanya Morris

Warren McClendon

Dalton Wagner

Kadeem Telfort

Trevor Reid

Demontrey Jacobs

Silas Dzansi

Paiton Fears

Ryan Swoboda

Alfred Edwards

Naasir Watkins

Matt Dale

Now, of those, we are going to look at the tackle options that are best in pass protection. Using PFF grades, these players have consistently been below average in this area, taking them off our list.

Demontrey Jacobs, Silas Dzansi, Paiton Fears. This takes us from 16 to 13.

Lastly, lets look at foot quickness. Whether it be the 40-yard dash or the agility drills, these players bring an added athletic question.

Dawand Jones, Alfred Edwards, Naasir Watkins, Matt Dale, Kadeem Telfort. So, now there are just eight guys who check all of the criteria that Ryan Poles listed. They are

Paris Johnson

Broderick Jones

Carter Warren

Wanya Morris

Warren McClendon

Dalton Wagner

Trevor Reid

Ryan Swoboda

Paris Johnson and Broderick Jones will be the two first round options. If they do not go that route, look for Carter Warren, or Wanya Morris. We had Morris mocked to the Chicago Bears in round four, and they may take him in round three.

Carter Warren missed his last season with a knee injury, but that could cause him to fall to the fourth round where Chicago would love to take him.

Dalton Wagner is a player we wrote up joining Warren as a sleeper in this draft. He has to bring intrigue for the Chicago Bears because of his right tackle abilities. The same can be said from Warren McClendon, who played opposite Broderick Jones at Georgia.

Reid, and Swoboda were non-combine invites and should be late-round picks. Still, we saw with Braxton Jones that if you fit the criteria Ryan Poles laid out, he will give you a shot, and both of these names have to be looked into. Reid held down left tackle for Louisville the past two seasons, and Swoboda got right tackle work at Virginia for two years before transferring to UCF and starting there last season.