Bears Draft Targets: Oline

[hyatt151]

Not just slow. Dude's bend sucks, but he was able to get away with it in college along with a clunky slide step. Speed rushers are going to have field days on this dude and speed/power combo guys are going to make him look like Taylor Decker against a 1 handed Khalil Mack.

I can see the interior appeal--but if we're talking the bears staying at 37 and looking at the interior, its Zion Johnson, not a 6'8 monstrosity that's prone to bend from the hips and not knees. Much more polished, far less questions/negatives about him. The only question with Johnson is with an impressive Senior Bowl, is he going to be there at 37 the way pundits seem to think he is now?

Rasheed Walker is a far better project OT than Faalele. Needs polishing on hand fighting--specifically other moves than 2-handed punch, along with some minor mechanical stuff like not dropping his head or engaging guys as a run blocker at the 2nd level, BR scouting seems to think he takes bad angles.

Penning isn't a half-bad choice if the name of the game is looking for an OT, don't know about top 15 pick, but I can see him gone before 37. Neither is Petit-Frere, but again--not sure he's there at 37.

(All paraphrased scouting info taken from Bleacher Report articles/PFN)

don't think any of guys are still on the board when we pick, unless we trade up, which would cost us future picks we can't afford to be giving away

 

[hyatt151]

True but offensive line and protection for Fields will take priority. And you can't discount both the GM and assistant GM being ex olineman. We all have our biases even if unconscious.

I'm expecting a bigger improvement than even when Emery magically fixed our online in 1 year.

prepare to be dissappointed

 

[Moe_Drive_Tailgater]

Faalele has five year of Big Ten coaching and training. That is plenty of experience.

To me he has some pretty significant physical limitations that limit his upside, especially as a pass blocker. I don't think he's a top 50 players.

Even with college, he is still young and inexperienced as a football player. overall lack of knowledge as a kid from down under. I do not disagree he may not be Top 50 in comparison to other true impact players with more experience and draftniks have stated he will be difficult to project in the draft.

My question is more from a offensive line coaching perspective. Does he have enough value due to his size and could he really improve his flaws with the right coach? Or mechanically, could he be improved?

You pointed to his physical limitations limit the upside. Do you believe a good coach could improve upon his physical negatives to be an NFL level pass blocker?

Please know, I am not trying to argue about it... Just think it is some good football conversation for all and it is interesting to learn some perspective from everyone. I hope he is not Top 50 and then we could grab him in the 3rd as it is my expectation that is where Poles will build OL.

 

[dennehy]

Even with college, he is still young and inexperienced as a football player. overall lack of knowledge as a kid from down under. I do not disagree he may not be Top 50 in comparison to other true impact players with more experience and draftniks have stated he will be difficult to project in the draft.

My question is more from a offensive line coaching perspective. Does he have enough value due to his size and could he really improve his flaws with the right coach? Or mechanically, could he be improved?

You pointed to his physical limitations limit the upside. Do you believe a good coach could improve upon his physical negatives to be an NFL level pass blocker?

Please know, I am not trying to argue about it... Just think it is some good football conversation for all and it is interesting to learn some perspective from everyone. I hope he is not Top 50 and then we could grab him in the 3rd as it is my expectation that is where Poles will build OL.

If the Bears want to run a zone-heavy system, as has been reported, Faalele is not a good fit. He's one of the least zone oriented blockers in the draft. Finally, he is an RT only most likely and so if you think the same of Jenkins, as many do, he's not a great fit there either.

In general attributes like bend and flexibility and lateral quickness are very tough improve via coaching. They are physical characteristics. Every player can gain something from good coaching, though. At the same time I don't think five years at a Big Ten school is a low amount of coaching, ie I would't expect him to get coached up more than anyone else.

 

[Moe_Drive_Tailgater]

If the Bears want to run a zone-heavy system, as has been reported, Faalele is not a good fit. He's one of the least zone oriented blockers in the draft. Finally, he is an RT only most likely and so if you think the same of Jenkins, as many do, he's not a great fit there either.

In general attributes like bend and flexibility and lateral quickness are very tough improve via coaching. They are physical characteristics. Every player can gain something from good coaching, though. At the same time I don't think five years at a Big Ten school is a low amount of coaching, ie I would't expect him to get coached up more than anyone else.

Good post... Your perspective on the running a zone- heavy system makes sense on why he would not be a fit.

I also read Poles may prefer quicker, more mobile lineman and correlates to a zone blocking scheme which works best with guys who are fleet-footed and more athletic.

I always have liked the tallest, heaviest humans on the line on both sides of the ball to clog it all up. And suppose it is the primary reason he stands out to me.

Taking in what you pointed out as for how our offense will develop maybe a guy like Sean Rhyan, Bernhard Raimann or Max Mitchell would be a better fit and could be available in later rounds?

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[dennehy]

Good post... Your perspective on the running a zone- heavy system makes sense on why he would not be a fit.

I also read Poles may prefer quicker, more mobile lineman and correlates to a zone blocking scheme which works best with guys who are fleet-footed and more athletic.

I always have liked the tallest, heaviest humans on the line on both sides of the ball to clog it all up. And suppose it is the primary reason he stands out to me.

Taking in what you pointed out as for how our offense will develop maybe a guy like Sean Rhyan, Bernhard Raimann or Max Mitchell would be a better fit and could be available in later rounds?

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I think they will get a center and probably guard in free agency to plug as starters. There are a lot of starting centers in FA this year. I think they will probably go BPA from several positions in the draft depending on free agency, but I'd expect OL, IDL, WR, CB to be on the top of the list.

I think they have too many glaring holes to make OT a high priority, with two young guys there. I'd expect a cheap swing OT in free agency and then maybe a 5th rounder. Unlikely a starting level LT is going to be there at 39 or 71.

 

[bears51/40]

True but offensive line and protection for Fields will take priority. And you can't discount both the GM and assistant GM being ex olineman. We all have our biases even if unconscious.

I'm expecting a bigger improvement than even when Emery magically fixed our online in 1 year.

I don't think with the limited draft picks the Bears have that Poles can pigeonhole himself into a single position group. The best thing he could do if possible is trade down in both the second and third round to gain extra picks. That would require him to find trade partners though.

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

I think they will get a center and probably guard in free agency to plug as starters. There are a lot of starting centers in FA this year. I think they will probably go BPA from several positions in the draft depending on free agency, but I'd expect OL, IDL, WR, CB to be on the top of the list.

I think they have too many glaring holes to make OT a high priority, with two young guys there. I'd expect a cheap swing OT in free agency and then maybe a 5th rounder. Unlikely a starting level LT is going to be there at 39 or 71.

I’d be pretty happy if we signed Matt Pryor as the swing T, Chris Reed/Ted Karras at G, and Bozeman at C.

 

[Moe_Drive_Tailgater]

I’d be pretty happy if we signed Matt Pryor as the swing T, Chris Reed/Ted Karras at G, and Bozeman at C.

Ted Karras at G, and Bozeman at C... Either or both would be great . Would also like Brandon Scherff but think he will be too pricey.

 

[dennehy]

I’d be pretty happy if we signed Matt Pryor as the swing T, Chris Reed/Ted Karras at G, and Bozeman at C.

That would be great but I think it would be cost prohibitive given the amount of holes and the lack of draft capital.

 

[Moe_Drive_Tailgater]

We may know the fate of a FA IOL prospect soon.. Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson, has a void in his current contract that hits on February 15th, which would leave a dead cap hit of $1.2 million on the books for the 49ers if not signed next week. Speculation is 49er's will look to extend him as he is very durable and reliable as a zone run blocker. Tomlinson grew up in Chicago, in the Rogers Park neighborhood and attended high school at Lane Tech.

 

[dentfan]

Good post... Your perspective on the running a zone- heavy system makes sense on why he would not be a fit.

I also read Poles may prefer quicker, more mobile lineman and correlates to a zone blocking scheme which works best with guys who are fleet-footed and more athletic.

I always have liked the tallest, heaviest humans on the line on both sides of the ball to clog it all up. And suppose it is the primary reason he stands out to me.

Taking in what you pointed out as for how our offense will develop maybe a guy like Sean Rhyan, Bernhard Raimann or Max Mitchell would be a better fit and could be available in later rounds?

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You’re on the right track.

I’m thinking they grab a dud like Trevor Penning.

A mean mothefucker who is always looking to straight up bully people and smack jokers around. This guy’s fucking mean. You can’t teach roughneck.

Trevor Penning NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Northern Iowa OT

<b>HEIGHT</b>: 6'7 1/8" <b>WEIGHT</b>: 325 <b>HAND</b>: 10 1/8" <b>ARM</b>: 34 1/4" <b>WINGSPAN: </b>6'10 7/8"<br> <b>40-YARD DASH: </b>4.89 <b>3-CONE:...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

 

[Moe_Drive_Tailgater]

You’re on the right track.

I’m thinking they grab a dud like Trevor Penning.

A mean mothefucker who is always looking to straight up bully people and smack jokers around. This guy’s fucking mean. You can’t teach roughneck.

Trevor Penning NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Northern Iowa OT

<b>HEIGHT</b>: 6'7 1/8" <b>WEIGHT</b>: 325 <b>HAND</b>: 10 1/8" <b>ARM</b>: 34 1/4" <b>WINGSPAN: </b>6'10 7/8"<br> <b>40-YARD DASH: </b>4.89 <b>3-CONE:...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

I like him but looks like he might go earlier, possibly end of 1st RD after the Senior Bowl projections and is said to be rising up the board. But who really knows... ?‍

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

You know he's never actually played center before other than at the senior bowl right?

There's truth to this but there's also a lot of NFL centers who are once guards in college over the years.

I believe it's actually one of the most common conversions to make when going from the pros to the NFL.

 

[Moe_Drive_Tailgater]

Alec Lindstrom played center at Boston College. Brett Kollman and EJ Snyder were talking about him at the Shrine Bowl. Did very well one on one. They also mentioned Brock Hoffman from Virginia Tech as ideal targets for the Bears.

I was reading about him this morning... Considered a late 4th-6th round pick as a developmental center.

I focused on his positives and avoided listing any of the negatives as he is a late round project.

Listed info from nfldraftbuzz.com, thedraftnetwork.com and some other articles of reference.

Alec Lindstrom has good football pedigree... Lindstrom’s father was a HOF lineman at Boston University and played 3 seasons in the NFL. His older brother, G Chris Lindstrom, was a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.

Scheme Fit: Zone run scheme

• Above-average football smarts and general intelligence. Plays with a nasty streak. Solid character and work ethic.
• Feisty, tough and plays with a competitive attitude.
• Dips shoulder and moves his feet to get outside leverage when needed....
• Strong and low coming out of his stance, effective in short-yardage situations.
• Finishes and doesn't quit; competitor with a positive attitude and leadership traits that coaches admire

...it’s easy to like his temperament and competitive toughness. It’s clear that he has a finisher’s mentality and wants to find those leverage points and put opponents on their back. He always looks to find work and competes through the whistle...

...high football IQ and is at his best when working alongside his guards. He plays with great technique in those circumstances, timing his steps well and playing hip-to-hip, shoulder-to-shoulder with his linemates...

...His hand technique and consistency with footwork also speak to his football intelligence. He executes with consistent timing when it comes to combos, climbing to the second level, and operating in space...

...reliable pass protector with enough quickness and agility to mirror most interior rushers, as well as the awareness to pick up blitzers or deal with stunts and twists...

 

[Hutch1975]

You’re on the right track.

I’m thinking they grab a dud like Trevor Penning.

A mean mothefucker who is always looking to straight up bully people and smack jokers around. This guy’s fucking mean. You can’t teach roughneck.

Trevor Penning NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Northern Iowa OT

<b>HEIGHT</b>: 6'7 1/8" <b>WEIGHT</b>: 325 <b>HAND</b>: 10 1/8" <b>ARM</b>: 34 1/4" <b>WINGSPAN: </b>6'10 7/8"<br> <b>40-YARD DASH: </b>4.89 <b>3-CONE:...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

I like him as another OG prospect, myself. Yeah, the height's an issue, but if the Bears can't pay Daniels, he looks like a good fit, and he isn't exactly a small fry, either.

You can't teach things like attitude and work ethic. By the time you're at the level of drafting someone, it's either there or it isn't. Changes can happen, but they're pretty rare.

The same, however, can also be said for size, which points towards Faalele. He also, at least, seems to have a good work ethic. One doesn't get to 2nd-round predictions with his relative lack of experience at football without a good work ethic.

Find a taker for Quinn, get the draft capital, and maybe, with luck, Da Beras get both?

 

[dentfan]

I was reading about him this morning... Considered a late 4th-6th round pick as a developmental center.

I focused on his positives and avoided listing any of the negatives as he is a late round project.

Listed info from nfldraftbuzz.com, thedraftnetwork.com and some other articles of reference.

Alec Lindstrom has good football pedigree... Lindstrom’s father was a HOF lineman at Boston University and played 3 seasons in the NFL. His older brother, G Chris Lindstrom, was a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.

Scheme Fit: Zone run scheme

• Above-average football smarts and general intelligence. Plays with a nasty streak. Solid character and work ethic.
• Feisty, tough and plays with a competitive attitude.
• Dips shoulder and moves his feet to get outside leverage when needed....
• Strong and low coming out of his stance, effective in short-yardage situations.
• Finishes and doesn't quit; competitor with a positive attitude and leadership traits that coaches admire

...it’s easy to like his temperament and competitive toughness. It’s clear that he has a finisher’s mentality and wants to find those leverage points and put opponents on their back. He always looks to find work and competes through the whistle...

...high football IQ and is at his best when working alongside his guards. He plays with great technique in those circumstances, timing his steps well and playing hip-to-hip, shoulder-to-shoulder with his linemates...

...His hand technique and consistency with footwork also speak to his football intelligence. He executes with consistent timing when it comes to combos, climbing to the second level, and operating in space...

...reliable pass protector with enough quickness and agility to mirror most interior rushers, as well as the awareness to pick up blitzers or deal with stunts and twists...

I think this is the kind of pick we have to think about with regards to O line. Zone blocking schemes require a certain Olineman.

 

[Hutch1975]

Nall is not an NFL level player as a ball carrier and Cohen will most likely be released because he hasn't played in two years.

The other two seem like good players but neither is elite by any means and no team runs that much in today's NFL - no team ran more than 49% of the time in 2021, and that was the Eagles whose QB probably ran 139 times.

Point being, running game will only take a team so far in the NFL.

With what he did in the SF and Pittsburgh games, I'm okay with Fields having 139 carries. Or maybe more, like the type of rushing workload Cam Newton had.

Let's do some triple options with Montgomery and Herbert in the backfield. Let's run fake handoffs and bootlegs. Or maybe that handoff wan't a fake, but teams have to respect Fields as a runner, allowing Montgomery or Herbert to slash through for a decent gain.

That'll also set up TONS of play-action passes.

 

[pdxbearsfan]

Yeah. That’s just a general line people throw out when talking to media. It’s coachspeak or GMspeak. I’m sure as an offensive lineman he’ll emphasize it to some degree. He also has to build a team based on the resources he has. It doesn’t really make sense to put your resources into a position you already have and are waiting on results. I.e Borom, Jenkins. The two tackles. They’re not going to replace those two by spending big resources. They’re not replacing them until they give them a shot to see if they can play. Center is the only position they could possibly spend on. Centers aren’t really paid big though and even good ones drop in the draft so more than likely even if they replace Mustipher it will be with a relatively cheap option.

I agree center it is!