The Chicago Bears have several positions they need to fix over the coming months. GM Ryan Poles will likely focus his efforts on the trenches where the team was by far its weakest. While the draft will be the priority, they have tons of salary cap space. That means free agency will see some action as well. What nobody can predict is which players Poles may or may not prioritize. There are some obvious names like Da’Ron Payne, Dre’Mont Jones, Bobby Okereke, and Saquon Barkley, among others.
However, there is one interesting option that might need circling. That is Andre Dillard. The Bears have serious questions at their tackle positions. Braxton Jones was fine as a rookie left tackle but needs work. Right tackle was far worse, as Larry Borom and Riley Reiff both struggled. Dillard is a former 1st round pick that never quite took off in Philadelphia for a variety of reasons. Could he possibly be a target for Chicago? Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune explained why this is very possible.
“The Bears should have a sharp scouting report on Dillard from assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who came from Philadelphia. Is he a player who needs a fresh start elsewhere? Maybe he’s a starting-caliber player. Perhaps he’s swing tackle material. I’d be surprised if the Bears signed Dillard and anointed him as a starter. Considering his background, he would have to compete for a starting spot.”
The Chicago Bears have good reasons to give it a shot.
For one, there’s the talent. Dillard was a 1st round pick for a reason. He’s big, strong, and athletic. His rookie year was up and down, but there were flashes of ability. Things were on track for improvement in 2020 until he tore his bicep and missed the entire season. That allowed Jordan Mailata to step up and steal the left tackle job. Dillard never regained it. He has been a versatile backup for Philadelphia since then. He even filled in at left guard a few times this season, not allowing a single pressure on the quarterback.
He is only 27 years old. Dillard has worked with one of the NFL’s best offensive line coaches for years. The injury issues appear behind him. The Chicago Bears have logical reasons to give him an opportunity. At worst, they’d be securing a solid backup who can play both tackle and guard. Maybe a fresh start is what he needs, and he becomes a solid starter for them on what will likely be an affordable contract. It isn’t a bad idea.
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David — You’re 100% correct — Braxton Jones was an exceptional run blocking LT, particularly in.tandem with Cody Whitehair. Borom had similar chemistry with Jenkins at times this season, but interference ftom Ryan Poles seemed to affect both Jenkins and Borom — they were never quite as effective as the guys on the left side of the OL. According to PFF: “. . . grades are separated by play type. Beyond just an overall grade, an offensive lineman receives one grade for pass-blocking and one for run-blocking.. . .” Braxton Jones graded as: 75.4 overall; 70.5 for pass blocking;; 79.4… Read more »
Thomas Gena…… you forgot to look at the run blocking grades. Braxton was one of the best run blocking OTs in the entire NFL and the very best Rookie OT by a long shot in run blocking. Pass blocking isn’t the part of the formula for an OTs player grade.
Sure we can have him join the pile of 1st rd picks that havent done squat for us but “have potential”.
They wondered if he be a starting or swing tackle, but if he played so good at LG why not start him there?
“Braxton Jones was fine as a rookie left tackle but needs work. Right tackle was far worse, as Larry Borom and Riley Reiff both struggled.” Hmm? “Far worse. . .” huh? It seems that PFF disagrees with you again, Erik; giving Borom a 69.9 grade in pass blocking (Braxton scored a 70.5; Reiff: 67.0). But, we know you have your narrative. . . . Look, Jones and Borom are both young OTs in a new system, with new coaches. Pencil Larry Borom in at RT — and let him play (unless someone can beat him out). And with the hard… Read more »