So what are some legitimate o-line options? A list of some dudes.

[Toast88]

You have to believe Ben Johnson's top priority, acquisition-wise, coming into this job will be to build up the o-line. He's seen first-hand in Detroit what that does for an offense and a quarterback learning a system.

Now Poles can't just claim he's doing so for 4 years. Johnson will be wanting a competent o-line sooner rather than later.

What are the legitimate options this offseason to finally start the process?

Presumably, the Bears have ONE starting-caliber offensive linemen who you can see having a future with the team---Darnell Wright.

If you're Ben Johnson, where do you go from here?

3 picks in the top 41. Do you draft all o-linemen?

Kelvin Banks

Will Campbell

^^probably both late top 10'ers. might be a perfect first pick for the Bears


Wyatt Milum

Ersery out of Minnesota

Tyler Booker

Cam Williams

^^mid-to-late first-round grades. probably not there for the Bears in the 2nd.

2nd round grade guys (remember, the Bears have 2 second-rounders):
Membou out of Mizzou

Marcus Mbow (Purdue)

Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)

Jared Wilson (Georgia)

Josh Conerly (Oregon)

Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)

2nd round-ish:
Emery Jones (LSU)

Josh Simmons (Ohio State)

Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)

Imma be real. If the Bears can get a dude named Cornelius, I'm in.



Do you sign 2 fairly high-profile pass protectors?

• Ronnie Stanley
• Cam Robinson
• Dan Moore Jr.
• Alaric Jackson
• Tyron Smith
• Trey Smith
• Zack Martin
• Mekhi Becton
• Kevin Zeitler
• Will Fries
• Ryan Kelly
• Nick Harris
• Bradley Bozeman
• Kendrick Green
• Evan Brown

^^Admittedly, this is not a super strong o-line free agency class, but there are some guys who would be net positives, for sure.

 

[Zvbxrpl]

Good list. Now’s time for the predraft process and underwear Olympics to pan out. Names high now may be low come April, but usually vice versa. I remember this time last year Joe Alt was a bottom half of the 1st round pick, not the best OL in the draft and certainly not a top 5 pick in the draft. Won’t be shocked if Banks is this years’ Joe Alt. Minus a handful of plays in a game, where another prognosticated top 10 pick made him look bad (Mykel Williams from Georgia) he’s been one of the best OTs in college. His scouting report “weaknesses” are a stretch. If he paves a lane for the RB and the RB gets a 20 yard TD run or first down, does it matter Banks didn’t “finish the run block violently enough?” No it doesn’t matter.

As for FA, the big names I’m already crossing off. Baltimore has adequate cap to keep Stanley, and that’s before cuts/restructures. The chefs and Trey Smith are in the same boat. A little money moved around and he’s not going anywhere. Now if I’m wrong, and either of these guys hits the market—get the brinks truck.

Drew Dahlman you might get the best chance at. Atlanta is 10 mil in the red per OTC. And for now, unless they find a sucker who’s going to eat a lot of $$ for Kirk cousins, they’re probably planning to replace him after already paying Matthews and McGary previously and then Chris Lindstrom right before the season started—all big contracts. He’s #1. But like Lloyd Cushenberry amid a host of names a year ago—Is Poles going to spend, yes at a premium—the money it takes to acquire him?

 

[Les Grossman]

You do everything you can to sign an OT and OG in free agency.

Ronnie Staley and Zeitler would be ideal. Trey Smith will be so expensive that he’d be all we could afford ( he’ll also not make it to FA)

 

[Nads786]

The guard from the Ravens Mechton whatever could be a good pickup.

Braxton Jones probably won’t be starting in 25. We need a LT desperately.

 

[Penny Traitor]

I think you pretty much have to throw more money than you should at Stanely. I was higher on Braxton Jones than most of this fanbase, but I am not relying on him to be ready for an immensely important training camp and you can get some decent interior help from the draft.

 

[MikeDitkaPolishSausage]

I think you pretty much have to throw more money than you should at Stanely. I was higher on Braxton Jones than most of this fanbase, but I am not relying on him to be ready for an immensely important training camp and you can get some decent interior help from the draft.

Only way I trust Jones at LT is if Poles can fix both G and C with legitimate starters.

 

[playthrough2001]

I’m drafting two with premium picks and hoping to sign Drew Dalman at C and either Trey Smith or Becton to play RG.

In the draft, my dream scenario would be Banks Jr. and Jackson with their first two picks. I’d give serious consideration to kicking Kiran inside too.

The line could like something like this:

LT - Jones/Banks Jr.
LG - Jackson
C - Dalman
RG - Smith or Becton
RT - Wright

Swing OT - Banks Jr. or Jones depending on who wins the job.
Backup Gs - Kiran, Murray, and maybe Pryor
Backup C - Bates

 

[DeerBrinker34]

Needed:
Starting Center
Starting RG
Starting LG
OT depth or new LT

I think Chicago really needs to come out of free-agency with at least two new starting IOL. A veteran like Scherff at RG makes sense, but man would I really like to see Mekhi Becton in a Bears uniform.

Center is tough. Dalman is obviously the top free-agent IF Atlanta lets him hit the open market. After that the pickings are slim. Robert Hainsey from TB might be a guy worth taking a flyer on. The guy has almost 40 starts at Center in his career.

Poles has his work cut out for him.

 

[Icculus]

Staley at LT and/or Ryan Kelly at C would be ideal in my eyes. I wouldn't mind if James Daniels came back to play an OG position if Poles can admit he goofed in letting him sign with the Steelers or otherwise sign Becton.

 

[Yogi]

I think you gotta throw big money at Ronnie Stanley. It's hard for me to trust that any LT they pick at 10 will be a clear improvement over Jones next season, and it's going to be the most critical season of Caleb's development. Stanley gives you that clear upgrade. Jones can stay and be a backup or play guard, and then that also opens up the top pick to be used on a DL/edge player, which looks like some really good ones will be available this year.

Outside of that, we need to walk away with either Dalman or Kelly at C. I don't think Atlanta can afford Dalman unless they trade (not cut) Cousins, but I suppose cap wizards can alway find a way if needed. He grew up in 49ers territory though, and will likely be a top target for them, as well.

Then use the 2nd and 3rd round picks to find your guard. Jackson from Ohio State would be my top target.

 

[NeverDieEasy]

All in on Ryan Kelly and Trey Smith (thinking avg around 17MM per at 4/yrs each); and/or if reasonable $ (less than them) bringing back James Daniels.

Yes on drafting OL with at least 2 of first 4 selections. Also need 1 DL/Edge; LEANING Nolan as he may be great and can play inside or outside in certain sets, (I also think, a full NFL offseason of conditioning and nutrition will vault Booker into a solid rotational edge with Walker and Sweat.)

Pending above results might, just might, use 72 on a LB if one of either Barrett Carter or Danny Stutsman are sitting there.

 

[Les Grossman]

Becton getting too much love imo. He was a bust who popped over to PHI who has a top 3 OL and looks decent. Dude only looks serviceable next to all pros and probowlers.

No thanks

 

[msadows]

Donovan Jackson in the 2nd round.

 

[Enasic]

Adding Trey smith or Becton and Dalman would be amazing.

I’d personally pass on Stanley. Surprised his injury history is being ignored by so many people. I’m also fine with Braxton but would want the bears to draft an OT somewhere to develop and compete with kiran.

Ideally, the bears OL looks something like this next year:

Braxton-Tyler Booker- Dalman - Trey Smith - Wright

 

[msadows]

in Madden I re-signed tev jenkins to a 1 year deal, signed Ryan Kelly to a 2 year deal, and then drafted guard/center in the 2nd/3rd

Im pretty sure tev will get a multi year deal for 10m+ somewhere tho. Just not too many great FA options that are young and talented.

 

[sevvy]

Heavy investment in both the offensive line and defensive line needs to happen this offseason.

Now that we don't have a coach that is medically certifiably Special person, I hope he and Poles get this oline sorted.

 

[Runruffshod75]

Conerly!

 

[RiDLer80]

I didn't think Trey Smith would even hit the open market but it's possible? Option 1A clearly.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1881787466572832864

 

[Penny Traitor]

I didn't think Trey Smith would even hit the open market but it's possible? Option 1A clearly.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1881787466572832864

That would be an amazing get. RG has ranged from bad to total catastrophe since Kyle Long signed a second contract with the Bears forever ago.

 

[Nelly]

That would be an amazing get. RG has ranged from bad to total catastrophe since Kyle Long signed a second contract with the Bears forever ago.

Jenkins appeared to show a lot of promise there, then Nate Davis happened. I wouldn't be surprised to see us re-sign Tev to a one year prove-it deal and lock him in at RG. When he was there he was playing the best football of his career and looked like he had the makings of being a top guard in the NFL. Add a competent offensive line coach and you never know. He played 14 games this year, the most in his career.

Beyond that, Dalman appears to make the most sense at center, then draft another tackle and guard with high picks to at least throw in the hopper and put starting LT/LG up for grabs between the rookies and the existing vets.

Lastly, it's sorta inconsequential but I hope we re-sign Pryor as depth. Not that he's great but he's versatile, cheap and can hold his own in a relief capacity. Then you've got Bates as a backup C/G with Amegadjie in the mix either at T or G who was always a project anyway.

So you go into the year with:

Tackles: Wright, Draft pick, Jones, Amegadjie
Guards: Jenkins, Draft pick, Pryor, (Bates), Later draft pick
Center: Dalman, Bates