Ryan Poles is like any other general manager in that he has certain quirks about him that make up his approach to the draft. In this case, he seems to prefer taking chances on small school offensive linemen. It was true in 2022 when he took Braxton Jones (Southern Utah), Zachary Thomas (San Diego State), and Ja’Tyre Carter (Southern). This past year, he added to that list by taking Kiran Amegadjie from Yale. Poles seems to have a minor obsession to standouts from small programs.
It appears he has found another. According to Jordan Sigler of ChiCity Sports, the Bears have been paying extra attention to Sacramento State guard Jackson Slater. Apparently, West Coast scout Reese Hicks has been to multiple games to watch him play, and the team also met with him again at the Senior Bowl. He was credited with not giving up a sack all season in 2024.
Slater confirmed to CCS that he has met with the Bears this week. He also dropped telling information on what Chicago thinks of him.
Slater said a Bears scout made multiple trips to Sacramento to watch him play at Hornet Stadiums during the regular season. He didn’t drop the name of the scout, but the details provided sounded like a West Coast area scout for the Bears.
Ryan Poles’ interest in Slater is easy to understand.
The Bears need capable pass protectors in the worst way after allowing 67 sacks this season. Slater showed in school and during drills in Mobile that he has the footwork, violent hands, and solid anchor to keep his quarterbacks clean. While a guard in college, experts believe his best position in the NFL will be center. Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report compared him to Matt Hennessy, a former 3rd round pick of Atlanta who has started 22 games across four seasons. Ryan Poles knows how badly the Bears need more interior blocking. Slater figures to be a prominent option on day three of the draft, likely somewhere between the 4th and 6th rounds. One can only hope he isn’t the only blocker Chicago drafts as it would reflect well on Poles, who seems to have an unhealthy obsession with these types of players.
