In case you haven’t heard already, the Chicago Bears need offensive tackle help. GM Ryan Poles stated clear as day that after a quiet free agency period that the team would have to search for solutions in the draft. The list of options is interesting. Most people believe the Bears will grab one of the top names in the 1st round. Paris Johnson, Broderick Jones, and Darnell Wright are the hottest names of late. However, there is a possibility Poles goes in a different direction with that pick. Were that to happen, he’d need to pinpoint alternatives he can find in the 2nd round.
They appear to have one name on their radar. Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network revealed the Bears were having a private visit with Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones. It’s hard to miss this guy. He’s 6’8 and 374 lbs with 36-inch arms. He is easily the biggest blocker in this draft. Most would assume that sheer mass makes him unable to move. However, his 5.35 in the 40-yard dash at the combine was respectable. It’s far better than Pro Bowler Orlando Brown’s 5.85 a few years ago, and he was 30 lbs lighter.
History shows tackles of that size who can move tend to succeed in the NFL. Brown is one example. Trent Brown and Bryant McKinnie are two others. The Bears have already seen what Jones can do, having gotten a great look at him during the Senior Bowl, where he dominated drills.
Ryan Poles must determine what he’s willing to live with.
Jones doesn’t feature the elite movement skills outside-zone offenses generally prefer. However, he’s almost impossible to bull rush and has the mixture of length and power to manhandle pass rushers when his technique is sharp. There is no question he can also move people in the ground game. It comes down to how strict the Bears will be about scheme fits. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has said he’s willing to work the system around the players he has and proved it last year with Justin Fields. He can worry about the rest later if he thinks Jones has enough positive qualities.
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Ryan Poles likely views the Buckeyes standout as a Day 2 option. Bigger tackles like him don’t usually go in the top 50 picks unless they’re ridiculous athletes. He’s not. He is a solid athlete. That means the Bears should have a shot at him with one of their three picks between the 53rd and 64th slots in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. If they do go elsewhere in the 1st round, he will be a hot name to watch for.
While I would love to see an offensive line staffed by huge guys, let’s remember Fields himself is not 7′ tall and needs to be able to see beyond the line of scrimmage. If you put up a wall of guys 6’5″ and above Fields will have trouble seeing the receivers–so let’s not get crazy here. I realize tackles typically are on the sides of the pocket as plays progress, but that can make the swing and screen passes hard as well as seeing what defenders are in the area. That said this draft seems to have a lot of… Read more »
Maybe this year’s draft has more offensive line talent, but it seems like there’s a gazillion guys being hyped as sure-fire all-pro talent. You know a few will be top-notch, some very capable, and a bunch of ’em will be journeymen or busts. We’re lucky to have a guy like Poles who has the ability to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Mr. Poles, take Bijan in the first round and Dewand somewhere in the second round.
Wouldn’t mind him on day three.
Love to have this guy in goal line. Whether you run behind him or play action fake to a guy running behind him you will likely see success. But, it’s all the other downs I’m worried about. Just not a fit. More blowing smoke; more coming.