What Do You Want to Do About the OL?

[bamainatlanta]

NO. JUST NO. It is too early for mocks.

But yet you don’t hesitate to tell us that there won’t be comp picks

 

[Montucky]

Whatever the Bears do in the coming draft at offensive line it’s unlikely you see much benefit from it until 2026 at the earliest. The years just fade away with the Bears, eternal rebuild.

 

[Penny Traitor]

Pryor is the worst one IMO

When I say the OL look lost out there, Pryor comes to mind first. He has had some good reps out there, but looks like he does not know where he is supposed to be too often. Kind of like the offense has been lacking coordination this year.

Better coaching can salvage him IMO.

Bates and Jenkins lose soley based on availability. Leno wasn't an All Pro LT, but he was always healthy which made it easy to keep him around.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I don't think so now that the bears have less than a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs.

The rest of the year is about Caleb Williams' development and daydreaming about how good he will be with an NFL caliber o line.

Is it really that low already? Or are you just throwing a number out?

 

[Frigidus]

Is it really that low already? Or are you just throwing a number out?

NFL playoff probabilities for every team entering Week 12

Don't know how it's calculated, but nfl.com has us at 1%.

 

[Colonel_Buendia]

G: Getting Trey Smith to play RG seems like a must. Make him the highest-paid Guard. It will be an overpay particularly because he isn't the greatest pass blocker, but they don't have many options. He's a top tier run blocker and tone setter. Pair him with a 2nd round G - Donovan Jackson and Savaiinaea look like strong bets and should be around. Obviously would have to assess who the new OC is and which prospects would fit their scheme best. And I'd actually bring back Pryor as the primary swing G and all-around backup.

C: A veteran center like Ryan Kelly paired with a 3rd-4th* round developmental C/G would be ideal (*acknowledging we don't have a 4th this year unless Mr Unlimited goes down). But given the success of rookie centers in recent years, drafting an immediate starter in round 2 needs to be heavily considered, just hate going into the draft with such a glaring hole. (In reality, I fully expect Poles to re-sign Shelton to a multiyear deal, citing his improvement over the year and the importance of 'consistency' with the QB).

T: Tackle is a problem because Wright isn't living up to expectations but you're committed to him for now, and Jones is solid but has pass pro deficiencies. Ronnie Stanley would be a major coup but highly doubtful Baltimore lets him hit FA; after that the FA options drop off significantly. So you're either looking at taking someone with the 1st round pick to play LT (ideally Jones doesn't demand a trade and can start until that tackle is ready, keeping you 3-deep through 2025 and likely earning you a comp pick after the season), or doubling down on Jones and maybe adding another developmental mid-late pick or FA "competition", or taking a flawed/injured prospect in round 2 like Josh Simmons to compete. We've seen the latter strategy fail enough times we ought to avoid it. Mid-round competition doesn't move the needle. Given the importance of the position, the scarcity of talent, and the 1st likely being a high (top-15, top-10) pick, swinging on a potential blue chip LT (Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks) makes the most sense.

IMO best case (assuming Stanley is unavailable) looks like this:
LT Braxton / 1st (Campbell, Banks)
LG 2nd (Jackson, Savaiinaea), Pryor
C Ryan Kelly, 3rd
RG Trey Smith
RT Wright

So you're looking at 1-3 major FA investments, 1-2 high draft picks, 1-2 mid draft picks. It's not a top-5 OL (despite all the investment), but it would be serviceable. But that's just where you're at after punting on the lines for years, and there are still holes or questions at DE, DT, FS, SS, RB depth, LB depth, WR depth, and TE depth. Invest your remaining premium resources in DL (one FA, one 2nd), and patch the other positions with late picks and budget FAs until 2026. IMO you don't do all this because it gives you the most complete roster construction in 2025. You do it even though it doesn't give you the most complete roster in 2025. You do it because it's your best shot at developing your young QB.

 

[msadows]

I think every position other than RT is a possibility. But REALISTICALLY…. They’re not swapping 4 starters.

Which is funny cause wright has been pretty bad this year when he's not hurt.

Thats looking like a pretty bad draft pick right now. I have zero faith in poles drafting a good OL in the top 10 so hopefully he goes EDGE in the first and then spends both 2nd's on guards. Hopefully at least one of them develops.

I fully expect all 3 of wright, braxton, and shelton to be back and starting next year, which likely means this OL will still be pretty bad.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Which is funny cause wright has been pretty bad this year when he's not hurt.

Thats looking like a pretty bad draft pick right now. I have zero faith in poles drafting a good OL in the top 10 so hopefully he goes EDGE in the first and then spends both 2nd's on guards. Hopefully at least one of them develops.

I fully expect all 3 of wright, braxton, and shelton to be back and starting next year, which likely means this OL will still be pretty bad.

He has?

 

[msadows]

He has?

Yea

 

[gobullschi]

First, they should target a veteran center like Ryan Kelly, who can take some pressure off of Caleb Williams‘ plate by handling protections. In 2023, he got a 77.2 PFF grade and this season he dealt with some injuries which might keep his price tag to a more reasonable level.

Next they should target Tyler Smith who has a 79.9 PFF grade and hasn’t allowed a sack all season. He was drafted by the Chiefs front office when Ryan Poles was there.

Depending on the cost, I’d give Teven Jenkins an extension too. His injury history should keep his price down and his versatility to play both sides is valuable.

The Bears should not rely on a rookie(s) to protect the quarterback, but they need to continue to add young talent, which is why I trade down in the first round and draft Tyler Booker. He can be eased into the rotation when Tevin Jenkins eventually goes down or outright win the starting job.

The Bears always seem to have injuries across the line, so I’d continue to add talent to the group by drafting Tate Ratledge. He can develop behind Ryan Kelly as the Bears future center, that also has a versatility to play guard.

Braxton Jones / Kiran Amegadje
Teven Jenkins / Tyler Booker
Ryan Kelly / Tate Ratledge
Trey Smith / Ryan Bates
Darnell Wright / Matt Pryor

 

[dabears70]

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Ryan Poles is finally paying attention in post-Eberflus era

In this early 2025 NFL mock draft, Ryan Poles and the Bears are finally paying attention as Matt Eberflus is out of the picture.

email.fansided.com

 

[Salvaged Ship]

This year is all about salvaging Caleb—getting him good reps, getting back his confidence, figuring out the play sheets, and the new OC looks good. We're going to lose a lot of these games, but this week we almost beat GB (should have) and could easily be 6-4. So, what do we do about the OL in 2025?

FA—I would keep an eye out for veterans that can be an upgrade. We're not going to get an elite LT. But it might not be stupid to get a veteran Center, for example.

DRAFT—I say we go ALL OL. I'd take an elite LT with our 1st pick (assuming one is there) and then an elite Center with our first 2nd round pick (to learn behind the vet Center, or to start), and then an elite Guard with our 2nd 2nd.

I don't care what we do with the rest of our picks. Maybe Jones, Jenkins, and Wright stay and improve. Maybe Jones becomes depth. Jenkins I'm torn on. Wright I think we need to give time.

What do you want to do with the OL?

I think if we really address it, with serious moves, and the OC keeps this up, we can contend.

THOUGHTS?

Step 1 - Go to toilet
Step 2 - Except for Wright insert all other linemen in toilet
Step 3 - Flush
Step 4 - Use your top 2, maybe 3 draft picks on a center and other lineman
Step 5 - Pay and get a quality free agent, not one of these cheap injury prone stiffs

 

[dabears70]

First, they should target a veteran center like Ryan Kelly, who can take some pressure off of Caleb Williams‘ plate by handling protections. In 2023, he got a 77.2 PFF grade and this season he dealt with some injuries which might keep his price tag to a more reasonable level.

Next they should target Tyler Smith who has a 79.9 PFF grade and hasn’t allowed a sack all season. He was drafted by the Chiefs front office when Ryan Poles was there.

Depending on the cost, I’d give Teven Jenkins an extension too. His injury history should keep his price down and his versatility to play both sides is valuable.

The Bears should not rely on a rookie(s) to protect the quarterback, but they need to continue to add young talent, which is why I trade down in the first round and draft Tyler Booker. He can be eased into the rotation when Tevin Jenkins eventually goes down or outright win the starting job.

The Bears always seem to have injuries across the line, so I’d continue to add talent to the group by drafting Tate Ratledge. He can develop behind Ryan Kelly as the Bears future center, that also has a versatility to play guard.

Braxton Jones / Kiran Amegadje
Teven Jenkins / Tyler Booker
Ryan Kelly / Tate Ratledge
Trey Smith / Ryan Bates
Darnell Wright / Matt Pryor

View attachment 41981

I'm a huge Deone Walker fan and would have no issue taking him with our first pick but no way he last to the 2nd round.

 

[gobullschi]

I'm a huge Deone Walker fan and would have no issue taking him with our first pick but no way he last to the 2nd round.

He’s had a down year (1.5 sacks) through 9 games after posting 7.5 sacks last year. I can definitely see him falling into the second round. I worry about his pad level being exposed in the NFL.

I think between him and Kenneth Grant, one of them will fall to the 2nd round, primarily because of positional value. I wouldn’t be against moving up to draft him though, because I’m a big fan as well!

 

[RiDLer80]

I'd focus on the IOL first and foremost. Ideally?

Trey Smith-4yrs/$100M-Gotta overpay to land elite free agents
Ryan Kelly-3yrs/$39M-He's aging, but he can stabilize the position while Stromberg gets back to form that got him drafted in the 3rd. This contract would effectively be a 2-yr deal.
Teven Jenkins-2yrs-$14M-He's lost all leverage with his constant injuries this season and should take anything he's offered. This will effectively be a 1-yr deal. This is an insurance policy in case the draft doesn't fall in our favor...

Donovan Jackson in Round 2. He can take over in 2025 when Jenkins inevitably gets injured. Maybe Jenkins lasts 2-3 weeks so Jackson doesn't need to be play right away, but I do think if needed he could.

Bryce Foster in Round 3. In case Stromberg doesn't progress from his injury Foster will be our center of the future.

IOL depth chart:

LG: Jenkins/Jackson
C: Kelly/Foster/Stromberg
RG: Smith

 

[UChiLAbear]

Draft OL 2 of the first 3 picks.....use the 3rd as a wildcard for almost any position. Preferably a DL.

 

[bears51/40]

I'm a huge Deone Walker fan and would have no issue taking him with our first pick but no way he last to the 2nd round.

With probably 4 QB's going to be drafted in the top 10 and the sheer number of quality players in the trenches on both sides of the ball Walker may well last until the second round.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

Yeah I haven’t watched any of these guys yet but from everything I have read I would guess FA (which also looks kinda bare) or re-signing Shelton is where the center position gets addressed.

The LT’s don’t look amazing either this draft.

Guard however looks loaded both in the draft and if Smith hits the market he will set it for the league.

All this CCS talk about 4 new OL is simply not realistic. Completely revamping the guard position seems very doable though.

Realistically, Guard is what we need the most. We need to load up on guards - at least 2 or 3 and preferably at least one as high as round 2.

Throw a developmental center with good measurables in there between rounds 4-6. Round 1 should be a pass rusher.


I know meatballs were hating on Kiran, but he has the measurables to be our starting LT. He just needs to learn who to block, which could have been partly because of the offensive coordinator - I noticed the blocking improved under Brown, simply because it looked like the line knew who their assignments were.

A lot also comes down to the rest of the season. We got that high draft pick who was cut as an injury concern to our practice squad. I'd love it if he was good enough to go in order to pick everything up and possibly we see what he has the last 2-3 games of the season. Hoping that we see Kiran under the same circumstance.

If that proves to be stable, then you really only need a replacement for Jenkins, and then focus on depth - get linemen in the pipeline.

 

[SugarWalls]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1859077910163788011

The center class was already weak this year

Future bear

 

[SugarWalls]

I want to see an improvement to the interior OL with 2 investments.

I do not expect the first pick to be used on a tackle, and idk if the value of who is available lines up with where the bears will be picking.

I expect amegadjie to be given a chance to compete with Braxton next year as well.

I’d like to see poles use both 2nd round picks on guards or guard and a center. If the draft doesn’t look to be deep at IOL or for value to be there I’m hoping the bears sign 1 IOL, and draft 1. If Shelton keeps up current play he is worth keeping so poles can address other needs.