Alijah Vera-Tucker

[Gustavus Adolphus]

6'4" 315 pounds, from USC.

A few mocks have him going to the Bears, but they mostly project him to be on the interior of the offensive line. Obviously the big catch here is that, while Mustipher and Bars played well, it's not like when those two got settled on the line they weren't playing some top competition. The other catch is James Daniels coming back off injury next season. So what combination of Whitehair, Daniels, Mustipher, and Bars would be put out there? While drafting a guy like Vera-Tucker is intriguing, the final Gus decision is that we should pass on him to focus on OT.

 

[Anytime23]

Agreed. Enough moving the parts around and put players where they belong. Get a real OT

 

[maxhatter]

While I agree that it is ideal to have a set line and have them play all 17 games together, but the truth of the matter is, it just doesn't happen all that often. If Vera-Tucker is there when the Bears pick he would be a hard player to pass on. Not only does he offer a ton of versatility he's one hell of a nasty player. I think you draft the best lineman available and if he plays guard, you just keep Ifedi at tackle and the line is still vastly improved. Ifedi played much better at tackle then he did at guard anyhow

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

While I agree that it is ideal to have a set line and have them play all 17 games together, but the truth of the matter is, it just doesn't happen all that often. If Vera-Tucker is there when the Bears pick he would be a hard player to pass on. Not only does he offer a ton of versatility he's one hell of a nasty player. I think you draft the best lineman available and if he plays guard, you just keep Ifedi at tackle and the line is still vastly improved. Ifedi played much better at tackle then he did at guard anyhow

I hear you, and I would agree that an offensive line that consists of Vera-Tucker/Whitehair/Daniels (or whichever positions you put them at) makes for a great pocket to step up into and inside running. I think the immediate need though, is at OT, but of course you also have rounds 2-7 and FA to help out there.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

I'm not an expert on judging OT, but from what I read this draft is stacked at the position. I'm never going to be against drafting OL, but if they do I'd really like to see an investment at the LT position over Interior OL.

I agree that Ifedi earned himself to be re-signed. Pace needs to get rid of Massie. Go into the season with Leno, Ifedi, Draft Pick and Bars as swing tackle and see what shakes out. I think Mustipher should be Center moving forward and figure out a way to make Daniels/Whitehair work at RG/LG.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I'm not an expert on judging OT, but from what I read this draft is stacked at the position. I'm never going to be against drafting OL, but if they do I'd really like to see an investment at the LT position over Interior OL.

And think of all the players who either a. couldn't play a full college season, or b. opted out.

 

[sevvy]

We need a LT, and we need a QB. Just get both of those this offseason.

With that being said, what's J'Marcus Webb up to these days? And why have the Bears tried to build an offensive line with so many 7th rounders? Lol.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

And think of all the players who either a. couldn't play a full college season, or b. opted out.

What are your thoughts on Liam Eichenberg? Seems like a LT that could be had on Day 2.

 

[bamainatlanta]

I think the interior is set with Daniels/Mustipher/Whitehair. I think RT goes to Bars and LT will go to a rookie if the 20th pick is kept. Then depth will have to be addressed in the bargain bin and maybe keeping Idefi on the cheap as a backup.

 

[bamainatlanta]

What are your thoughts on Liam Eichenberg? Seems like a LT that could be had on Day 2.

He's a natural RT. Played LT but he is a lot like McGlinchey, who switched to RT in the pros.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

I think the interior is set with Daniels/Mustipher/Whitehair. I think RT goes to Bars and LT will go to a rookie if the 20th pick is kept. Then depth will have to be addressed in the bargain bin and maybe keeping Idefi on the cheap as a backup.

where is this love for Bars at RT coming from? I think he filled in well on the interior and is great depth, but Ifedi was the Bears best RT this season IMO

 

[legendxofxlink]

where is this love for Bars at RT coming from? I think he filled in well on the interior and is great depth, but Ifedi was the Bears best RT this season IMO

Ifedi is a FA and will probably get 6+mil a year.

 

[bamainatlanta]

where is this love for Bars at RT coming from? I think he filled in well on the interior and is great depth, but Ifedi was the Bears best RT this season IMO

Im just going off of what Biggs has said, someone who can be wrong but generally has more of an idea of what the Bears will do(moreso than anyone on here, but not that would be saying much)

From the last mailbag:

Have Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars proven that they can be starters going forward? Or does your crystal ball predict Bobby Massie, James Daniels or a new draft pick/signing take their spots when the new season begins? — @bennylava913

It’s a little early to say precisely what the Bears will do on the offensive line, but I believe they were impressed by the performance of Mustipher and Bars. If I had to guess, the Bears will view Mustipher as a starter moving forward, possibly release Massie and then look to replace him at right tackle with a veteran or a competition between Bars and a high draft pick. To me, Daniels and Cody Whitehair slot in as the starting guards in 2021 and the team rolls with Charles Leno at left tackle for one more season. That’s just my hunch on how things will play out, and in that scenario, Bars is a possible competitor at right tackle (I think he’s probably best suited at right guard) or a backup at multiple positions.

Chicago Bears Q&A: Who is a realistic possibility at quarterback?

The offseason has begun for the Chicago Bears, and readers filled Brad Biggs’ mailbag with questions about who the team’s quarterback will be in 2021, what the defense will look like and whether Allen Robinson will be back with the Bears.

www.chicagotribune.com

It will open in incognito mode without paying

 

[Hawkeye OG]

Ifedi is a FA and will probably get 6+mil a year.

Yeah I know he's a FA, but I mentioned earlier ITT that his performance at RT he deserves to be re-signed. You think 6M is to much or the Bears can't afford it? I find it hard to believe they can replace him for cheaper unless it's Bars. I'm just not sold on him as a starter at RT.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

What are your thoughts on Liam Eichenberg? Seems like a LT that could be had on Day 2.

I think aside from three games ND's offense was so much better this year, especially in terms of the run. I'd be very happy with Eichenberg. You and I have discussed how Iowa always churns out great offensive line talent. Well ND is pretty similar in that regard.

 

[WindyCity]

I think you could take an interior OL if you project him to be dominant.

Whitehair-solid
Daniels-solid
Mustipher- who knows

If you think Vera-Tucker is going to be a Pro Bowl player at OG you can take him and move Daniels to C.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

This draft is deep at tackle, Bateman at 20 would be happy with that.

 

[bamainatlanta]

I think aside from three games ND's offense was so much better this year, especially in terms of the run. I'd be very happy with Eichenberg. You and I have discussed how Iowa always churns out great offensive line talent. Well ND is pretty similar in that regard.

Three 2019 All-Pro Starters on OL were ND players

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Three 2019 All-Pro Starters on OL were ND players

Boom goes the dynamite.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

This draft is deep at tackle, Bateman at 20 would be happy with that.

Here's my thing: The Bears have a pick at #20 and at #51. Where do you rate the guys available at #20 compared to the guys available at #51. As deep as it is (and again, I've just started looking at things today) teams are going to rate prospects differently. So the question to ask is would you be willing to wait to get a B at #51, or an A at #20?