Everybody talks about right tackle as the biggest issue facing the Chicago Bears offensive line. While that is a fair assessment, it glosses over the equally glaring hole at center. Lucas Patrick failed to stay healthy last season. Sam Mustipher was below average as a starter in his place. Right now, it appears the team’s best option is moving Cody Whitehair back to the middle, allowing Teven Jenkins to take over at left guard. The looming question is whether GM Ryan Poles can find an alternative in the draft.
It appears the team may have one in mind. Former Bears scouting Greg Gabriel has several connections in the league. He revealed that some interesting information arrived from a friend on the scouting trail.
“Interesting piece of info I got from a scout friend today. Bears had 2 people at the Wisconsin Pro Day just to watch center Joe Tippmann.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise. Tippmann embodies what the Bears covet under the Poles regime. He’s 6’6, 310 lbs. That is gigantic for a center, and he’s a good athlete on top of it. He moves well in space and plays with that typical Wisconsin edge. Some evaluators feel he needs work with his tendency to get caught leaning and doesn’t use his long arms enough to his advantage.
Chicago Bears will need some creativity to get Tippmann.
Current projections have the big center going somewhere in the top half of the 2nd round, usually in the early 40s range. Obviously, projections can be wrong, but that feels like the right area for him. It means the Bears face a dilemma. After picking #9 overall (presuming they stay there), the team won’t pick again until the 53rd spot. Tippmann will likely be gone by then. It means Poles will have to secure a higher spot either by moving down from #9 or by moving up from #53. A lot of variables are in play.
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Were this to happen, it would mark the first time the Chicago Bears have drafted a Wisconsin player in 12 years. The last time was Gabe Carimi in 2011. Sadly the former 1st round pick suffered a devastating knee injury in his second start, derailing his career. Since then, they’ve been reluctant to dabble in that talent pool. However, the arrival of Jack Sanborn as an undrafted free agent last year may have emboldened them to try again. Tippmann is the kind of talent worth taking a chance on. He fits their scheme and would be a major upgrade in size alone.
Good gosh Martin, you pompous windbag, do you ever tire of talking down to people? a$$hole
Can’t see them go 2 OL in the first 2 picks. Tippman would be a nice get in the top of 2nd round. Maybe there is an OT tackle they can get in Rd 3 or 4. Or why not look for an OT in FA. They can’t rebuild a team in 1 year. They will need to make choices.
Whitehair is an OK C who can’t snap shotgun very well. Too risky and too expensive. Watch for a C in round 3 or 4. Unlike Pace who would fall in love with a guy and trade next year’s picks to move up to get him, Poles will stick to his board and get a guy they like in a later round.
Thought this was settled when it was stated that Nate is the right guard and Jenkins acknowledged the fact that he was moving to left guard, leaving Whitehair and Patrick going for the center position.
Yeah they are going to be that obvious and hint to the entire league who they want to draft.