NEWSLETTER
Give the Chicago Bears depth chart a thorough, up-and-down, position-by-position look, and you’ll see there are significant upgrades that need to be made for the team to be competitive again. That’s going to require exploring trades, free agency, and, of course, nailing at least a few draft selections this year.
Fortunately, John Fox and his coaching staff will get an up-close look at some of the available draft prospects who can help turn the tide for the Bears at the upcoming Senior Bowl.
One could argue that the Bears’ need at offensive tackle is their biggest non-quarterback need right now, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Because if quarterback is the biggest need, it isn’t hard to make the case that protecting the quarterback of the future is a close second.
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There are eight offensive tackles on the 2017 Senior Bowl rosters, but we’ll take a close look at the four being coached by Fox’s staff. Maybe new offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn can use his past as a personnel assistant to good use as the Bears look to move up from the middle of the pack among offensive line ratings.
For further reference, you can check out WalterFootball.com’s position rankings here and CBS Sports here.
Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh (Walter Football rank: 17, CBS Sports: 6)
At 6-6, 305, Bisnowaty has ideal size to play the position and pedigree after being a three-year starter at left tackle for the Panthers. Bisnowaty was a two-time All-ACC tackle by both the coaches and media, and started in 43 of the 45 games he played in during his career. Walter Football projects him to be picked between rounds 4-6, but CBS has him pegged to be picked in the second or third round.
Taylor Moton, Western Michigan (Walter Football: 6, CBS Sports: 7)
Moton has unique positional flexibility, having played well at right guard and right tackle during his college career – and did so while setting the Western Michigan record for career starts at 51. He has the reputation of a strong run blocker after helping spring a potent Western Michigan offense. Surely Jordan Howard would approve of improved run blocking from the tackle position. CBS Sports gives Moton a Round 2-3 projection, while Walter Football has him in the 3-4 range.
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Zach Banner, USC (Walter Football: 19, CBS Sports: 4th-rated guard)
If you were surprised to note see Banner in the CBS tackle ratings, note that the No. 69 prospect on their big board is listed as the fourth-rated guard. Banner was a two-sport athlete early in his USC career who played basketball before committing fully to football. He is listed at 6-9, 360, and gained experience at both tackle positions at college, as well as guard. With his size, skills, and consistency in pass protection, Banner likely projects to be a NFL right tackle. CBS gives the All-Pac 12 first-team tackle a round 2-3 grade, but Walter Football’s early projection has him being picked in rounds 4-6.
Julien Davenport, Bucknell (Walter Football 7, CBS Sports 12)
This FCS standout didn’t face the kind of competition constantly seen by his Senior Bowl teammates who played at FBS schools, but played well enough at Bucknell to earn a roster spot in this showcase game. Four different organizations (American Football Coaches Association, AP, STATS, Walter Camp) named him a first-team All-American. He is the only Bucknell senior to start all 44 games from 2013-16. A two-time captain for the Bison, Walter Football notes that every team went to see this Bucknell standout – many with the belief that his size and upside could lead to him being a starting left tackle in the NFL one day. Both CBS and Walter Football have him with a round 3-4 grade.
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OTHER NORTH TEAM OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The Bears struck gold picking Cody Whitehair, a college tackle, in the second round in 2016, and could be primed to strike again with another tackle pick in 2017 as they continue to build a functional NFL offensive line.
