The Chicago Bears have ten draft picks to work with in this year’s draft class. Hence, one can only imagine the amount of preparation they are engaging in. Even though their offensive line did not need a lot of work as compared to the defense, there are still some positions that the team can look after.
Advertisement
The general manager of the team, Ryan Poles, has admitted that in this year’s draft class that they will look to find a starter, and why wouldn’t they, considering the tackle position on the team has a glaring hole. Many people wonder if the Bears will go offensive or tackle with their very first selection in the draft.
The team has a good chance of getting the first offensive tackle on the board. In fact, they can get top guys like Paris, Johnson from Ohio State, Peters score on ski from Northwestern, or even Broaddrick Jones from Georgia. Hence, we look at the top five offensive tackles that are a perfect fit for the Chicago Bears.
The top 5 OTs in the 2023 NFL Draft the Chicago Bears can look into
Here are some of the best prospects that the team can look into adding to their roster:
1. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern: The Northwestern product is considered the top-rated interior offensive lineman and offensive tackle. At 32.25 inches, score on skis, arms are extremely short, ranking in the fourth person tile. His professional team would be wise to challenge him at tackle while being secure in the knowledge that they have the backbone to kick him aside to be guard.
2. Paris Johnson, Jr., Ohio State: Johnson impressively moved from right guard in 2021 to left tackle in 2022. He showed he could very well protect the blind side at the next level. His superior linkage allows him to put distance between himself and opposing Paas rushers. Additionally, he is a terrific athlete with effortless mobility at the NFL scouting combine. Johnson’s 110-inch, broad jump highlighted his lower body explosion.
3. Darnell Wright, Tennessee: Wright is a perfect fit for all 32 teams because he has extensive experience playing both left and right tackle. With a great showing at this year’s Senior Bowl, he added a jetpack to his draft stock.
4. Broderick Jones, Georgia: Jones started 15 games for the 2022 National Champion Georgia Bulldogs and is an outstanding athlete who recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.97 seconds. He has exceptional movement skills that are particularly evident when he’s looking to take on defenders in the second and third levels of the field. Jones has remarkable grip strength in his hands, which measure 10 5/8 inches, and once he’s got a hold of an opponent, the battle is pretty much over.
5. Dawand Jones, Ohio State: The 6’8″ & 374-pound Jones is the most physically dominant lineman available in NFL draft. He is a huge, strong blocker who naturally boasts exceptional length and size. He is a real bulldozer in the run game and plays with restraint and ferocity.
Will the Bears add more weapons around Justin Fields?
Although it is safe to assume that the Bears could target offensive tackle with the No. 9 pick, they could also instead add another talented player around quarterback Justin Fields. The general manager of the team had already stated that he wouldn’t let necessity stand in the way of selecting the most talented player available. If Chicago still needs to fill gaps on the offensive and defensive lines, it is important to arm your young quarterback with another weapon.
The league always prioritizes high-level offensive tackle players, and it is important to draft skilled offensive tackles because they protect young quarterbacks. As seen in the 2022 season, several young quarterbacks around the league were left with poor protection. Therefore, upgrading to a better offensive tackle can become a priority for Chicago.
