CHICAGO – The path the Chicago Bears must take to repair their faltering offensive line becomes all too clear after the first week of free mandate.
At least one position — right guard — was addressed during the first wave when the Bears signed Nate Davis to a three-year, $30 million contract. But the market for offensive tackles, which the Bears participated in early on before right tackle Mike McClinchey, who went to Denver on a contract that pays him $17.5 million a year, quickly dried up.
“To improve our team, I think we have to look at the draft,” General Manager Ryan Bowles said recently at the league’s annual meetings while addressing the team’s need in offensive tackle.
The Bears allowed pressing a league-worst 39.5% of passes last season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. While some of the responsibility rests with linebacker Justin Fields, who held the ball for the second longest before making the pass at 3.12 seconds, this is still the worst pressing percentage allowed in a season by any team since the 2018 Texans.
Fortunately for Chicago, which is in the ninth after sending a top draft pick to Carolina for four draft picks and wide receiver DJ Moore, the chance to find a top-level offensive lineman may be the first box checked by the Poles during the first round April 27. (8 p.m. ET on the ESPN, ABC, and ESPN apps).
Northwestern Peter SkowronskyOhio Paris Johnson Jr.Georgia Broderick Jones and Tennessee Darnell Wright She is considered one of the best offensive linemen for the draft and has a strong probability of being available when Chicago is on the clock.
If so, how will bears weigh their choices about what to do and whom to choose? Here’s a look at the most pressing questions surrounding these O-line prospects, what their fit is in Chicago and how the Poles can maneuver back into the first round while still landing the top offensive line.
What does crafting an offensive tackle mean for Braxton Jones?
The Bears came off the 2022 season pleased with Jones’ progress from FCS product (Southern Utah) to starting 17 games at left tackle. Jones played every moment (the only Bears to do so) and made his greatest contribution as a run blocker while allowing seven sacks (40 total pressures).
In March, the Poles said Jones was the team’s starting left tackle “for now.” Options the Bears may have at ninth to upgrade the left tackle position and enhance protection around the fields could move Jones elsewhere.
“I think he can play both sides,” coach Matt Eberflus said of Jones playing at right or left tackle.
Johnson and Broderick Jones are the top tackle prospects, having started 13 and 19 games at left tackle, respectively, during their collegiate careers. If the Bears sign up with their expectation starting in Week 1 at left tackle, Braxton Jones will start at right tackle, a position Riley Reiff has held for the majority of the 2021 season. Reiff signed with the Patriots during free agency.
Some believe this may end up being more favorable to Jones.
“I don’t necessarily think he needs to get much stronger,” offensive line analyst Brandon Thorn said. “I’m sure he’ll come from FCS, being in an NFL strength program. To me, it’s more technical, it’s a lack of speed that’s causing him trouble at tackle. Quick rushes can make him open and off-balance, and then he struggles with redirects and impacts.” It’s on anchor. I think ideally it’s your style of swing, but in this case, it’s probably going to kick in again and my guess is probably the right tackle.”
ESPN Senior Draft Analyst Mel Kipper Jr. picked the Bears from Tennessee Wright in his mock 4.0 two-round draft last week. Wright earned first-team All-SEC honors after 13 starts at right tackle in 2022. If the Bears play him at his natural best, Jones could end up with another season to prove himself at left tackle.
“I like Wright’s opportunity with the Bears if we look strictly at right tackles, because Braxton Jones retained his ability on the left side last season,” Kepper said. “Wright started 27 games at right tackle in college; his tape against Will Anderson Jr. and Alabama was amazing. He’s the best right tackle in the class.”
Is Skoronski a tackle or guard at the NFL level?
Much of the conversation about Northwestern’s versatile line stems from his NFL-sized 32-inch arm length. Skowronski spent his college career at left tackle but may fare better on the inside offensive line as a pro.
“The arm’s length combined with the height (6-foot-4) is concerning,” Kepper said. “You don’t usually have that in the NFL over the years, so you have to look at history and how this player heralds it. But Skowronski’s ingenuity and his way of playing were amazing. His movie ratings were off the charts.”
The above examples of players with similar physical attributes can tell which path the Bears will take should they draft Skoronski in the first round.
“You probably have a really special guard, or you can have a solid tackle that’s maybe above average,” said Thorn. Compare it to [Kansas City Chiefs guard] Joe Thuney. He played left tackle at NC State and was really good, but shorter arms are part of it. Just being able to kick against certain body types off the edge, Skowronski struggled with that a bit. Tony sure did. Then you move it [Thuney] Inside and you have the total [elite player] There is nothing to worry about. That’s kind of how I see Skowronski.”
The Bears can pull Skowronski and expect him to compete at tackle before eventually moving to guard or vice versa. Playing him indoors would force the Bears to shuffle and tackle a point tackle later in the draft or by bringing in a veteran to compete this season. Davis was brought in to play right guard, the only position he’d managed in four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, and the expectation was that Tevin Jenkins would move to left guard.
Will the bears consider backing off?
The long-term outlook will provide the bears with the ability to test any of these four possibilities in more than just one position.
“All four players are versatile in their own way, and some of them have played multiple positions and played it well,” said Kepper. “I think all the interventions are very close.”
Chicago is already planning a random shuffle up front with its current pool of offensive linemen. With Davis at right guard and Jenkins expected to slide left, Cody Whitehare should return to center in 2023.
The uncertainty of the offensive tackle and ability to fill a big void makes him a curious choice for the Bears at number 9. After all, the position is one of the biggest strengths in the first round. And if Georgia intervenes defensively Galen Carterwho was at one time considered the top prospect in the draft, is not available for consideration when the Bears are on the clock in the first round, the Poles could find themselves in a position to be traded again and still land the top offensive lineman on day one.
“If they say, well, Carter’s gone and all four offensive linemen are in there and we’re splitting a hair between those four, they can move off a nine and move a little bit and still get one,” Kepper said.