USA TODAY Sports
Our draft feature turns its attention on the "big picture" to the offensive tackles.
So last time we looked at the tight ends and discussed why the Bears would take a young playmaker at that position, and this time we'll do the same with the offensive line.
I realize predicting a linear improvement for J'Marcus Webb to continue his pattern of the last two years is a little out there and certainly not likely to happen. That being said, I think he's earned his shot to continue starting at left tackle. But Webb's not the be-all end-all of offensive tackle play, and can certainly be improved upon in the draft. On the right side, Jonathan Scott isn't special, and Gabe Carimi had one injury-plagued season and one season without full preparation or free and easy movement. It's not like the tackle position is without hope.
But, should the Bears be looking for someone to either develop behind Webb or take a starting spot outright, here's some high draft picks the team could consider...
Round 1 Consideration: Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M | Eric Fisher, Central Michigan | Lane Johnson, Oklahoma [LINK]
Round 2 Consideration: D.J. Fluker, Alabama | Menelik Watson, Florida State | Brennan Williams, North Carolina | Kyle Long, Oregon | Chris Faulk, LSU
Round 3 Consideration: Oday Aboushi, Virginia | David Bakhtiari, Colorado | Justin Pugh, Syracuse | Xavier Nixon, Florida | Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
Eric Fisher is predicted as closer to a top-16 pick than a late-first rounder, but he and Johnson would be good round one choices if Fisher were to fall. Fluker seems like more of a right tackle than a left. And Aboushi and Pugh would be good value options in the third.
Who's your offensive lineman of choice? Got a late=rounder you like?
Poll
What position group should we look at next?
Offensive Line - Interior (122 votes)
Linebackers (45 votes)
Wide Receivers (21 votes)
Defensive Tackle (4 votes)
Other - Suggest in the Comments! (7 votes)
199 total votes
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