Larry Borom didn’t arrive with the same fanfare in the draft that his counterpart Teven Jenkins did. Despite playing in a more prominent conference, the Missouri offensive tackle went in the 5th round. That made it difficult to buy him as anything more than intriguing depth. However, GM Ryan Pace stated the Chicago Bears have a track record of success at finding good players in the 5th round. Do they really think that streak will continue?

The last time Pace took an offensive lineman in the 5th round, it didn’t turn out well. That was Jordan Morgan in 2017. This time? From the way people in that organization are talking, they don’t just view Borom as a project. They think he has a chance to compete for a starting job. Not next year. This year. Don’t believe it? This quote from offensive line coach Juan Castillo should open a lot of eyes about how serious they are about the rookie.

“I know Germain’s going to get mad at me, but (Borom) is a better athlete than Germain,” Castillo said over Zoom. “G’s going to get pissed at me, but (Borom’s) a powerful guy. He’s not as long as Germain, but he played at 352. Now he got skinny, wanted to make those swimsuit issues, he got down to (322). But that’s not what he needs to play at. He’s going to get back up to around (332), so that’s still 20 pounds lighter than he was before.

“But he’s a big man who’s athletic, who played good competition. We’re excited. We’re going to put him over there behind Germain and let him compete with Germain.”

That is not something said lightly.

Remember Germain Ifedi was a 1st round pick back in 2016. He’s started three and a half seasons at right tackle in the NFL. Saying that Borom is a better athlete is not something to be glossed over. It also happens to have merit. Ifedi ran a 5.27 in the 40 at the scouting combine. Borom ran a 5.12 at his pro day. So there is some evidence to support what Castillo is saying.

The rookie himself doesn’t lack confidence either. When asked what he feels he does best on the football field, Borom stated without a hint of humility that he thinks he can pass protect “with the best of them.” It’s not an idle boast either. Pro Football Focus said he was one of just four offensive tackles in the country who allowed a QB pressure on less than 1% of his pass block snaps. He allowed just two sacks in his college career.

From the @PFF Draft Guide:
Larry Borom's career snaps by position

LT: 142
LG: 132
C: 0
RG: 67
RT: 1,058https://t.co/JglfcZPEN2 pic.twitter.com/kchLKyfXZc

— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) May 1, 2021

#Bears OL Larry Borom was already a decent athlete during his time at Mizzou, and he’s managed to drop 30 pounds this offseason.

If he can maintain his power and nasty edge while slimming down, he could realistically compete for that starting RT spot. pic.twitter.com/Flx3gbL5js

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 16, 2021

Juan Castillo isn’t giving handouts but is giving Borom a shot

He made it clear that expectations are high for Ifedi too. Castillo even said he wouldn’t be surprised if the veteran ended up in the Pro Bowl. That is how much confidence he has in the guy. If anything, this paints a clearer picture with Borom. The Bears really like him. Enough to where they’re not acting like he is a 5th round pick at all. More like a Day 2 pick who is fully capable of starting right away if he shows the necessary advancements in training camp.

The thing to remember is Juan Castillo isn’t prone to random boasts. When he offers his belief in a player, it’s usually well-founded. He stated Ifedi would be a solid guard last year? It was the truth. When he said Alex Bars showed a ton of potential stepping in a center? The kid ended up shining at right guard a few weeks later. So for him to say Borom is a better athlete than Ifedi and can compete for the starting job?

That isn’t just random spring optimism.

He believes it. So what happens if it comes to pass? It would be a landmark moment in Bears draft history. Landing not one but two starting offensive tackles in the same draft class on back-to-back picks. Three rounds apart no less. Borom is anxious to show everybody that his draft status means nothing. He proved he could play in the best college conference there is. Now he’ll do it in the NFL.