GM Ryan Pace always operates the same way in free agency. Sure some years he’ll spend more money than others, but the goal is always the same. He aims to use the market to fill the biggest roster needs for the Chicago Bears. This enables him to accomplish his primary goal in the NFL draft. To take the best player available. It appears that process is underway yet again.
Chicago continues to make a series of minor moves, filling spots at key positions and shoring up depth. Mostly on the defensive side. Thus far Andy Dalton was the only notable new addition on offense, giving them stability at quarterback. The rest are retaining in-house guys like Allen Robinson and Germain Ifedi. Would Pace continue adding to that side of the ball? An answer finally arrived courtesy of Mike Klis of 9News.
Former Broncos right tackle Elijah Wilkinson is set to sign with the Bears.
Former Broncos OL Elijah Wilkinson is wrapping up visit with Bears per source. It appears a deal is imminent. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 23, 2021
Wilkinson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos in 2017. He spent his first years mostly as a backup before cracking the starting lineup a year later. The guy is certainly imposing at 6’6, 330 lbs. When watching him on tape, his biggest strength lay in the running game. His mixture of size and power allows him to generate movement off the snap pretty consistently.
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The problems that plagued him with the Broncos were two-fold. Lagging ability in pass protection and injury setbacks. Wilkinson got off to a rough start in 2020, though in fairness he went against two elite pass rushers across the first three games in T.J. Watt and Shaq Barrett. Then he fractured his shin bone, missing several weeks. When he returned, he seemed to settle down and play better down the stretch.
In 503 offensive snaps, he gave up two sacks and committed one penalty.
Mike Munchak has as impressive of a track record for developing OL as anyone in the NFL. Could Elijah Wilkinson be his next success story?
He played RT for the 1st time in his career (52 snaps) in WK1 & there was a lot to like.
Size (6-6/330)
Competitive toughness
Anchor
Power pic.twitter.com/uNvQRhm8Qf— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 12, 2019
So I got a long way to go, but definitely open to the possibility that I sold Elijah Wilkinson really short on his viability at tackle. pic.twitter.com/tixpXR4aYR
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) May 4, 2020
Broncos are facing 1st and 20. Clear passing down and they've been an issue all game. Fant goes to chip Watt only to find he's rushing inside. Heady play by Elijah Wilkinson to get out and meet the DB to give Driskel time to find Hamler. pic.twitter.com/Sq2QypeC5E
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) September 22, 2020
Chicago Bears address a key issue with Wilkinson
While Ifedi returning seems to secure their right tackle spot for the time being, there was still the problem of the #3 tackle. The swing position. Somebody who can fill in on either side if required. Jason Spriggs filled that role last year but couldn’t stay healthy. So the Bears decided to go with somebody different. No doubt the hopes are Wilkinson won’t suffer the same issue. Either way, a big benefit is he brings much more starting experience than Spriggs did.
He also has experience at guard. So the Chicago Bears are getting a truly versatile blocker who is still just 26-years old. Not a bad move for the team as they continue to tweak the lineup. One can safely assume they’ll be adding to the mix via the draft as well. Coaches and scouts have been spotted working out linemen for weeks since the offseason began. It’s quite apparent the Bears have made better blocking a must for next season.
Wilkinson isn’t a star but he should be a valuable contributor.
He’ll remind a lot of people of Bobby Massie. A big, strong right tackle who is burdened by slow feet in pass protection. Massie seemed to overcome that issue in Chicago. Maybe Wilkinson can do the same. He already got a great education from Broncos offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Now another quality guy in Juan Castillo will continue to work with him.
