Tag: bears offensive line

2020 NFL Draft: Bears select OTs Arlington Hambright, Lachavious Simmons in 7th round

Chicago wrapped up their 2020 NFL Draft class with a pair of offensive tackles in the seventh round.

There’s no denying that one of the Chicago Bears’ biggest needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft was offensive line. And they waited until the seventh round to address it. With both picks.

Chicago wrapped up their 2020 NFL Draft class with a pair of offensive tackles in the seventh round, which brings some much-needed depth on the offensive line.

The Bears selected Colorado offensive tackle Arlington Hambright with the 226th overall pick and Tennessee State offensive tackle Lachavious Simmons

That ends the Bears draft class on a day where they added edge rusher Trevis Gipson, cornerback Kindle Vildor and wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

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2020 NFL Draft: 5 positions Bears should target on Day 3

Bears GM Ryan Pace has managed to find some late-round gems in the NFL Draft, which is what he’ll hope to achieve again on Day 3.

The Chicago Bears added two first-round talents in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson. But general manager Ryan Pace’s work is far from done.

There were no shortage of roster needs heading into this draft — and the Bears had just two picks in the first four rounds. So Pace and his team are going to need to work some magic in these later rounds.

For what it’s worth, Pace has managed to find some late-round gems in the NFL Draft, which is what fans will be looking for him to achieve on Day 3, given the Bears have five selections between rounds 5-7.

Let’s take a look at five positions that the Bears should consider addressing on Day 3 of the draft:

1. Safety

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears are in search of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s replacement to line up opposite Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson, who is moving back to free safety in 2020. The Bears opted to forgo a safety in the second — with some of the top prospects still on the board — which suggests that they’re confident in what they’ve got in Deon Bush and Jordan Lucas, who will battle for the starting strong safety spot opposite Jackson.

But they should definitely make an effort to bring in a young player to compete for that strong safety job. Some prospects still on the board for the Bears heading into Day 3 include Iowa’s Geno Stone, Maryland’s Antoine Brooks Jr., Alabama’s Shyheim Carter and Michigan’s Josh Metellus.

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2020 NFL Draft: 5 offensive linemen available for Bears on Day 2

Here are 5 offensive linemen that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that the Bears should target at pick 43 or 50.

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone better for the Chicago Bears, who heading into Day 2 armed with a pair of second-rounders has plenty of first-round talent still on the board.

Heading into Round 2, there is plenty of offensive line talent still available, both at guard and tackle. Luckily for the Bears, who have a right guard spot up for grabs, some of the top offensive guard talent is still available. While six offensive tackles were taken in Round 1, there are also some solid tackle prospects available, should Chicago want to build for the future.

Here are five offensive linemen that are still on the board heading into Day 2 that Chicago should target, if they fall to them at pick 43 or 50.

1. OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Arguably the best offensive tackle still on the board is Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland, a first-round talent with left tackle traits that should be the focus of teams with offensive line needs, like the Bears. While Cleveland likely won’t fall 10 spots to the Bears at No. 43, Chicago shouldn’t hesitate to grab him if he does.

According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Cleveland is an “athletic left tackle able to make all outside zone blocks in the run game, but in dire need of additional mass and functional strength. Tape work can be tricky as Cleveland suffered a turf toe injury in his second game of the 2019 season and was unable to practice for much of the year. Issues anchoring and redirecting edge pressure are independent from his injury, but determining the impact of that injury on his play is challenging. He plays with patience and technique but lacks base width and contact balance. Cleveland has the athleticism to play swing tackle for a zone-based offense but needs to get much stronger to hold up as a starter.”

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5 interior offensive linemen Bears should target in 2020 NFL Draft

It might a weak interior linemen class, but there are some prospects that would be good fits for the Bears.

Offensive line is no doubt one of the biggest roster concerns for the Bears. While the Bears brought in offensive linemen Germain Ifedi and Jason Spriggs during free agency, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the Bears to target a guard in the draft.

With a starting right guard spot up for grabs, Chicago figures to be in the market for a young guard. But while the offensive tackle class is a deep one, the same can’t be said for the interior linemen. With that said, there are some prospects that would be good fits for Chicago.

Let’s take a look at five offensive guards the Bears should target in the NFL Draft:

1. Cesar Ruiz, Michigan

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Ruiz is arguably the best interior lineman in this draft class, and he’d be an immediate contributor for the Bears. While Ruiz has lined up at center for the last two seasons with the Wolverines, he’s capable of playing either left or right guard. Ruiz’s combination of athleticism, skills and technique make him a player that should develop into a solid interior lineman at the professional level.

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Bears re-sign OL Rashaad Coward, TE J.P. Holtz to 1-year deals

The Bears have re-signed two exclusive-rights free agents in OL Rashaad Coward and TE J.P. Holtz.

The Chicago Bears announced Friday that they’ve re-signed offensive lineman Rashaad Coward and tight end J.P. Holtz to one-year deals.

Coward and Holtz were exclusive-rights free agents, which means that they had expiring contracts with fewer than three accrued NFL seasons and were only permitted to negotiate with their own team.

Both players saw playing time with the Bears last season due to injuries at tight end and offensive line.

The Bears lost their top three tight ends to injured reserve last season, which gave young players like Holtz an opportunity to step up. Holtz led a disappointing tight end group in receiving with 91 yards. His best performance came against the Cowboys, where he led the Bears with 56 receiving yards on three catches in Week 14 win.

Coward converted to offensive tackle in 2018, but he didn’t see any action that season. But Coward stepped in for an injured Kyle Long, who suffered a season-ending injury early-on last season. Coward started 10 contests for the Bears at right guard.

Coward will get a chance to compete for the starting right guard spot, where he’ll battle the likes of newcomer Germain Ifedi and Alex Bars.

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Bears signing former Packers OT Jason Spriggs to 1-year deal

The Bears added depth at offensive tackle with the signing of former 2nd-round pick Jason Spriggs.

Offensive line has been a big concern for the Chicago Bears this offseason. While they have a starting right guard spot open, following Kyle Long’s retirement, they also needed to bring in depth on the offensive line.

The Bears did just that with the signing of former Packers offensive tackle Jason Spriggs to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

While the Packers thought enough of Spriggs potential to trade up to draft him 48th overall in 2016, he never solidified himself as a starter. During his three years in Green Bay, Spriggs was placed on injured reserve for two of them.

Spriggs has suffered through hamstring and knee injuries that cost him time, and he was waived by the Packers last August following another injury in training camp.

Spriggs figures to serve as a swing tackle on the Bears. He has started nine games in relief during his time with the Packers. Spriggs joins Germain Ifedi as the two free-agent offensive linemen added this offseason.

Considering the injuries sustained on the offensive line last season, the Bears needed to add depth on the offensive line.

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Who would be ideal top two picks for Bears in 2020 NFL Draft?

While you can never plan for things to fall exactly in place, who would be the Bears’ ideal top two picks?

With the 2020 NFL Draft just one week away, NFL clubs across the country, including the Chicago Bears, are finalizing plans and strategies for the three-day affair that will welcome in a slew of new players.

But those plans don’t always pan out like teams would like. That’s just the name of the game, and even the best draft experts can’t predict how the chips will fall.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter and Lance Zierlein decided to pretend that’s not the case as they pinpointed the ideal top two picks for each club, including the Bears.

It’s no secret that the Bears have a number of needs on offense and defense, including offensive line and defensive back. Reuter and Zierlein believe that Chicago’s ideal scenario would involve bringing in Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz with the 43rd pick and Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn with the 50th selection.

Chicago is without a first-round pick again this year due to the trade for sack artist Khalil Mack. Fortunately, they have a couple second-round picks, including one from the Raiders in the Mack deal, that they can use to address two major areas of need: center and safety. Ruiz is an athletic player who has the football intelligence to step into the starting role on Day 1. Chinn’s size and hitting ability will allow him to play in the box when Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson is in centerfield, while his overall athleticism will enable him to handle deep coverage duties and work in the slot.

It’s more of an expectation that Chicago will address the offensive line in this draft, and Ruiz would be a player that you could plug in from Day 1. Ruiz has lined up at center for the last two seasons with the Wolverines, but he’s capable of playing either left or right guard. The Bears have a vacant right guard spot to fill with Kyle Long’s retirement, and Ruiz could certainly occupy that role.

The Bears also have a starting strong safety spot up for grabs opposite Pro-Bowler Eddie Jackson. Chinn has been someone that the Bears have shown interest in, having met with him twice this pre-draft process. Chinn’s stock has risen since his performance at the Senior Bowl, and he’s someone that would be a great fit opposite Jackson.

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Bears target o-line, safety, tight end in new 5-round mock draft

With the 2020 NFL Draft just about a week away, we’re close to seeing what Bears GM Ryan Pace does for this roster.

With the 2020 NFL Draft just about a week away, we’re close to seeing what Bears general manager Ryan Pace does for this roster with needs on both the offense and defense.

In Sports Illustrated’s new five-round mock draft, Kevin Hanson has the Bears addressing three important needs in offensive line, safety and tight end.

With the 43rd overall pick, Hanson has Chicago landing Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz. While Ruiz has lined up at center for the last two seasons with the Wolverines, he’s capable of playing either left or right guard. Considering the Bears have a starting right guard job up for grabs, Ruiz could battle it out amongst Germain Ifedi, Alex Bars and Rashaad Coward.

Then the with the 50th overall selection, Hanson has the Bears targeting Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn. Chinn’s athleticism and ball skills make him one of the best safeties in this draft class. And with the Bears looking to fill the starting strong safety spot opposite Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson, Chinn would be a great fit paired with one of the NFL’s best safeties.

In the fifth round, with the 164th overall pick, Hanson has Chicago taking Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson, which addresses the Bears’ need at a position of need without targeting one too early in the NFL Draft. Parkinson serves as an extra receiver out on the field, and at 6-foot-7, he’d be a big target for Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles, especially in the red zone.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks, but they only have two selections in the first four rounds. The Bears have two second-round picks, as well as one pick in the fifth round and two picks both in the sixth and seventh rounds.

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Bears held pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette OT Robert Hunt

Bears GM Ryan Pace figures to consider drafting an offensive lineman with one of Chicago’s 2nd-round picks.

The Chicago Bears have no shortage of roster needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, especially when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.

You figure general manager Ryan Pace will be considering drafting an offensive lineman with one of Chicago’s second-round picks. And they have certainly been doing their homework on offensive linemen.

The Bears recently held a pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette offensive tackle Robert Hunt over FaceTime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

While the Bears are financially committed to left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie in 2020, this draft presents itself as a chance to build toward the future.

Hunt played most of his collegiate career at right tackle, and he’d be a great developmental player that could be groomed to replace Massie should Chicago decide to part ways with him.

But the Bears are also looking for a right guard, and CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has mentioned that Hunt was garnering some interest as an interior lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine.

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5 offensive tackles that Bears could target in 2020 NFL Draft

The Bears could build for the future at offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, and here are five prospects to watch.

With a talented class of offensive tackles, the Bears have a chance to build for the future in this year’s NFL Draft. The expectation is that quarterback and offensive tackle will be the most sought after prospects in the first round, but there are still some great prospects that figure to be on the board when the Bears’ picks roll around.

While the Bears are financially tied to Charles Leno Jr. at left tackle and Bobby Massie at right tackle in 2020, general manager Ryan Pace has an opportunity to look to the future with this draft. If Leno and Massie’s questionable play continues into 2020, they could find themselves out of job.

Let’s take a look at five offensive tackles Chicago could target in the NFL Draft:

1. Austin Jackson, USC

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson is likely to be among the slew of tackles taken in the first round, but if he were to fall to the Bears in the second round, they shouldn’t hesitate to draft him. Jackson has the attention of many teams due to his left tackle traits. Jackson has started the past two seasons at left tackle for the Trojans, and he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. His quickness and agility at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds is impressive.

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