Logan Stenberg – Page 8 – Syndication Server

What position should Bears address in NFL Draft, not free agency?

While quarterback and tight end have dominated the offseason conversation, the Bears need plenty of work on the offensive line.

The Bears have several issues to address this offseason, especially on offense following an abysmal outing in 2019. While quarterback and tight end have dominated the conversation, Chicago needs some work on the offensive line.

While the Bears are ultimately stuck with what they’ve got at tackle for next season in Charles Leno and Bobby Massie, who collectively account for $18.6 million in salary cap space in 2020, they do have a vacant right guard position that needs to be addressed.

Given Chicago’s salary cap situation, Bleacher Report believes the Bears should steer clear of addressing offensive guard in free agency and look to the NFL Draft for a young prospect.

There’s plenty of talk circulating that the Bears intend to add a veteran quarterback to challenge 2017 second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. But no matter who the starting quarterback is in 2020, that signal-caller will have a much better chance of success if the team improves an offensive line that ranked 20th or worse in both run blocking and pass protection last year, according to Football Outsiders.

Adding that veteran under center will eat up most of the team’s $16.6 million in cap space, so the best chance at bettering the line will be on Day 2 in April.

While the Bears could target offensive tackle in what’s a deep draft class, that might ultimately help them nab a top-three guard such as Georgia’s Solomon Kindley or Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg with pick 43.

There was plenty of blame to go around on offense last season, but the offensive line didn’t make it any easier on a struggling Mitchell Trubisky both in run blocking and pass protection.

Given the amount of money invested in the Bears offensive line, the group simply has to be better. That, and they need to find a right guard to replace the retired Kyle Long.

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Meet Logan Stenberg, Kentucky’s mauler of an OL prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Kentucky offensive line prospect Logan Stenberg

The NFL’s best offensive linemen have traits like physicality, tenacity, versatility and a motor that never stops running.

All of those words apply to Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg, one of the top interior blockers in the 2020 NFL draft class.

Stenberg recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience playing for the Wildcats against SEC competition, which NFL quarterback he’d most like to block for, and what kind of impact he’ll have at the next level.

JM: You leave Kentucky for the next level as an experienced interior offensive linemen. You really were one of the leaders of that offense. How does that experience serve you well going forward?

LS: I learned a lot about football throughout my time at Kentucky. There are a lot of intangibles that simply can’t be taught. There are some traits you either have or you don’t. That experience should help me a ton at the next level.

JM: What do you enjoy most about playing on the offensive line?

LS: I love the brotherhood of it. You’re really a unit as an offensive line. You have four other guys next to you with the same goal in mind. We’re basically one. Being able to work in a unit like that on a daily basis is very rewarding for me.

JM: Most of your experience has come at left guard, but you’ve played all over the line. You even have a little experience at tackle. What do you feel is your best position at the next level?

LS: I do currently believe that keeping me on the interior makes the most sense for all parties involved. Left guard, right guard or even center would be best for me. That’s where I expect to play in the NFL.

JM: Those experiences have exposed you to many different schemes. Is there one that fits you best?

LS: I just love to run the ball. Any scheme that’s run heavy, that’s the one for me. I enjoy offenses that run the ball between the tackles. I’ll fit well within that. I can pass protect as well. I can adapt to any scheme though. It’s pretty simple for me.

JM: Playing at Kentucky afforded you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some of the best interior defensive linemen you’ve gone up against?

LS: I played against Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina this past season. He was by far the best defensive tackle I’ve played against. He’s a powerful, long guy. It’s tough to get his hands off of you when he locks them down. He was a very good opponent.

JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?

LS: I love finishing blocks. Finishing a guy into the ground and putting him on his back before the whistle is blown is one way for me to show that I’m better than he is and that I got the best of him on that play.

JM: How do you react if someone delivers a late hit on your quarterback?

LS: That’s not something we take lightly (laughs). Me and four other big dudes are definitely gonna remember what number you’re wearing. We’re gonna get you back at some point.

JM: Do you have a preferred pass set?

LS: Yeah, I like a quick pass set. Two kicks and I don’t like creating too much separation between myself and my opponent. I can get my hands on him and block him out of the play. That’s the best way for me to do that.

JM: Is there an NFL quarterback that you’d love to block for?

LS: That’s a tough question. I’d love to block for Tom Brady. He’s obviously been a great quarterback in this league for many years now. I think you could learn a lot from him. It would be beneficial for my future if I could learn from a guy like that. I’d love to pick his brain and ask what he thinks about offensive line play.

JM: What kind of impact is Logan Stenberg going to make at the next level?

LS: Logan Stenberg is a hard worker, first and foremost. I’m gonna come in with a lot of determination. I’m a smart guy that understands offensive line play. I plan on doing things the right way at the next level. I’m gonna block my man until the whistle gets blown. I’m gonna come in every day ready to put my best foot forward and give it my best shot. I’m gonna work hard to be a great player.

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Winners and losers from the 2020 scouting combine

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded in Indianapolis. Who won the week, and who leaves town with work to do?

The 2020 NFL scouting combine is now in the books. Over the course of the past week, more than 300 prospective NFL players were put through the paces during the world’s strangest job interview. After all, that is what the combine truly is: A job interview. Some will get jobs, others will not.

With the combine behind us, who improved their chances, and which prospects still have work to do?

Winner: Jalen Hurts

The Oklahoma product came into Indianapolis known for his athleticism, and he did not disappoint in that regard. Hurts posted a 4.59 40-yard dash, one of the best numbers turned in by the quarterbacks and a number that backs up Hurts’ athleticism on film. (Only Cole McDonald ran faster, besting Hurts by 0.01 seconds).

But scouts and evaluators knew that the Oklahoma signal-caller was athletic. What they wanted to see was more evidence that he can develop into an NFL passer. That is where his throwing session comes into play. He impressed during his throwing session, displaying tighter and crisper mechanics. In addition, the ball popped out of his hand very well. For example, he delivered on a well-placed out route to Isaiah Hodges along the left sideline, as well and a great dig route to Antonio Gandy-Golden off of a deep drop into the pocket. Those throws highlighted some improved footwork from the quarterback. Hurts helped himself this week, especially when you consider how well he likely performed in his interviews with teams.

While Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa seem solidified in the top tier of quarterbacks, there is a lot of wrangling behind them for a spot in that second tier. With his performance in Indianapolis, Hurts might have moved into that group.

Loser: Jake Fromm

To be fair to Fromm, the parts of the Combine that were visible to the public are probably not the areas where he is going to excel. The Georgia passer is not known for having a powerful arm, nor is he known for upper-tier athleticism. During the testing and the workout at Lucas Oil Stadium, those parts of his game were on display. Fromm managed just a 5.01 40-yard dash, the slowest time of any quarterback who chose to run. During his throwing session, Fromm’s passes lacked velocity and tended to dip as they approached their target.

However, the parts that we could not see, specifically the team interviews and the whiteboard sessions, are probably where Fromm shines. He is a very smart and experienced passer who was given a lot of responsibility at the line of scrimmage, and early in his career. From the neck up Fromm is one of the better quarterbacks in this class, and during those meetings he likely impressed coaches and general managers with his knowledge of the game and offensive/defensive schemes.

There is likely to be an NFL team – or more – that falls for Fromm during this process. Based on his film, it will likely be due more to what he does during the meetings than anything he displayed Thursday night on the Lucas Oil Turf.

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2020 Jags Wire mock 2.0: Post-Senior Bowl edition

With the 2020 Senior Bowl in the books, it’s now time to start looking forward to the NFL Combine. That also means it’s the perfect time for a new Jags Wire mock, as plenty of players increased their stock coming out of the annual all-star game. As …

As usual, we headed over to The Draft Network to crank up the simulator and here is the group we were able to acquire in the first four rounds:

9.) Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina – As I expected, Javon Kinlaw came to the Senior Bowl and raised his draft stock. He was explosive off the snap and showed his ability to dip under the opposition. For the most part, there weren’t many offensive lineman who could handle Kinlaw’s mix of quickness and violence and many people left Mobile praising his upside.

Bringing in Kinlaw to work with Calais Campbell for the year would be huge as the veteran only has a year left on his contract. He’d also help strengthen the interior defensive line as they will likely be parting ways with Marcell Dareus.

20.) Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma – I believe the Jags will follow last year’s free agency blueprint: hand out one big contract (Nick Foles in 2019) and get everyone else on prove it deals. That said, it wouldn’t shock me if the big contract went towards the tight end position because there are some good options to get like Hunter Henry, Eric Ebron and Austin Hooper.

This means the Jags would have to find a starting linebacker in the draft. Kenneth Murray is a player that brings it in the middle and could help the Jags’ woes against the run. Meanwhile, Jack could kick out to the weakside linebacker position where he’s had more success.

42.) Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia – A.J. Bouye’s future is uncertain with he team because the Jags could gain $11.5 million by releasing him. With that being the case, the Jags will need to draft a cornerback early.

Hall ended his 2019 season early because of an ankle injury and that may cause him to fall to the Jags in the second-round. At 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, Hall not only is big but plays big. His instincts are pretty solid, too, as he led the nation in pass breakups in 2019 with 22.

73.) Logan Stenberg, G, Kentucky – As a former offensive line coach, Logan Stenberg is a player Doug Marrone would definitely be happy with taking. At 6-foot-6, 327-pounds, Stenberg’s run blocking ability helped former tailback Benny Snell have a great deal of success while at Kentucky and he could do the same for Leonard Fournette.

The Jags have long needed to upgrade at right guard where A.J. Cann presently starts and will have ample opportunities to do so in the second and third-rounds. For my money, Stenberg could be the best guard available when they Jags are on the clock.

106.) Van Jefferson, WR, Florida – VanJefferson had himself a good week in Mobile, displaying sound footwork and the ability to get open out of his cuts. Add in the fact that he had success prior against various Southeastern Conference opponents and it’s easy to see why the Jags (and NFL in general) would be intrigued by him.

At 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, Jefferson would be a welcomed addition to the Jags’ receivers corps, which will likely be without veteran Marqise Lee come April because of his cap figure and past with injuries. Dede Westbrook will also be playing on the last year of his deal in 2020, so the team needs to be prepared if they can’t retain him.