The Chicago Bears aren’t quite focused on the NFL draft yet. They’re still filling out their coaching staff and preparing for the start of free agency on March 17th. Most believe that could be the decisive period of the entire offseason for them. This in large part due to their pursuit of help at quarterback. So much of what happens with that will determine what they end up doing in the draft.

Still, that hasn’t stopped experts everywhere from going ahead with their mock drafts, trying to determine which direction the Bears will go. So here’s a fun question. What player (if any) is currently the favorite to land in Chicago come April? It turns out the answer is a tie. Larry Mayer of Chicagobears.com compiled 12 different mock draft results. Plenty of different names were involved but two of them were mentioned no fewer than three times each.

The ironic part? Both of them are not quarterbacks.

They are offensive tackles. One being Christian Darrisaw out of Virginia Tech and the other Teven Jenkins of Oklahoma State. Most draft experts agree the 2021 class of offensive tackles is one of the best in a long time. Plenty of high-profile talent and also depth. The timing does seem perfect for the Bears who have needed an overhaul at the position for some time now. Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie haven’t cut it since 2018.

“Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (Jan. 26)
Pick: Oklahoma State tackle Teven Jenkins
Comment: This is a really strong offensive tackle class, and we could see a run on them in the 20s. Jenkins started at both right tackle and left tackle for the Cowboys, and he was having a stellar season before he opted out in late November. At 6-6, 310 pounds, he has long arms and there are no questions about his size to play tackle.

Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports (Jan. 28)
Pick: Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw
Comment: The Bears will see some offseason upheaval, probably at QB and WR. But they’re also likely to lose one of their starting tackles, and the highly regarded Darrisaw would be an ideal replacement.”

One common them that pops up a lot about the two blockers? Their aggressive mentalities. Both men love to get physical with defenders and are prone to delivering their fair share of pancake blocks. The nastiness is constantly evident. Something that’s been missing up front for the Bears for some time now.

Love Christian Darrisaw's mentality and aggressiveness. No one blitzing off the edge, he finds work and lays a man out. Pass pro doesn't have to be passive at all. pic.twitter.com/xboYpWOIMA

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 20, 2021

Studying Oklahoma St OT Teven Jenkins. Big fan of his effort/power to finish! pic.twitter.com/1PUH1z0dF7

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) November 11, 2020

Odds are the Chicago Bears won’t pick either man

Why? Not necessarily because they wouldn’t want them. It’s more because that 20th overall pick in the draft has a much higher likelihood of being used on a quarterback than anything else. Either taking one with it or using it in a package to trade up in the 1st round or trade for a veteran. Everything has indicated to this point the Chicago Bears would be aggressive on the QB front this offseason.

Recent rumors of their pursuit of Matthew Stafford prove that much. They were prepared to part with that pick and more to land the former Lions Pro Bowler. It just seems that barring a series of unexpected strokes of bad luck, that pick is reserved in some way for their problems at quarterback. That being said, if they somehow do avoid such a scenario they can certainly do a lot worse than Darrisaw or Jenkins.

Neither can be called superstar prospects.

Yet both are experienced, proven blockers at one of the most important positions in football. Adding either of them would be a much-needed injection of youth and nastiness to the front five. It could help the Chicago Bears to once again become that team that may not always win the game on Sundays but definitely win the fight. Those are two guys people probably won’t want to mess with.