Chicago Bears Draft 2022: Offensive Linemen to Target

With Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles not dipping too much into free agency, the attention now turns to the draft. Here are possible targets to watch.

The initial free agency frenzy has passed. Most of the top targets are signed and ready to play for their new teams. Many teams hit the ground running and made big changes. The Chicago Bears were not one of those teams.

General manager Ryan Poles warned that he wouldn’t go hard and overpay in free agency. What he didn’t warn us was that he’d be looking for bargain-basement deals and players.

Poles stated that the offensive line was one of his top priorities. He wanted to make sure franchise quarterback Justin Fields was protected and would be put into a situation where he could succeed.

Well, I’m not sure that is the case. James Daniels, a quiet but effective lineman (arguably the best lineman on the roster) bolted to Pittsburgh to join his former teammate Mitchell Trubisky. Sam Mustipher, who struggled mightily as the starting center, returns as a backup. Lachavious Simmons, who, despite the line suffering from a lot of injuries and bad play, managed to only play two games, also returns.

Poles signed Lucas Patrick to start at center. That might end up being a decent signing. This will be Patrick’s first time entering as the full-time starting center so let’s see how he does.

The head-scratcher was the Dakota Dozier signing. He played every snap in the 2020 season and did so horribly, however (46 pressures, 6 sacks, 9 penalties), that the Minnesota Vikings kept him as far away from the line as possible. He spent most of the 2021 season on the practice squad and played just six games, all of them on special teams. One cannot even consider him a solid backup.

Attention now turns to the draft

There are still some names available in free agency but the way Poles is handling it, a big signing is out of the question. That means he needs to turn to the draft.

The prevailing thought was that the Bears needed some veteran help on the line. They already have Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom, two second-year players who missed a big chunk of their rookie seasons. The unit needs some tough veteran leadership to help them and settle the line.

That isn’t happening, though. Poles is content with adding more young players and going through the growing pains that come from having young players get a feel of the pro game. This doesn’t bode well for Fields, who is trying to develop into the star many people expect.

There are some good prospects in this draft. The question is where will Poles look for help. Will he use one of his second-round picks on one? On the other hand, he could move down and pick up more picks and find more than one lineman. However, he could move up and get the guy he really likes (except he’ll sacrifice picks to do so). Finally, he could try to continue his bargain-basement ways and find help late in the draft.

Here are five potential offensive line targets.

Kenyon Green, Texas A&M: 6-foot-4, 324 pounds

Kenyon Green comes in with a lot of experience along the line. He played every position during his time in college. Scouts project him as a solid starter at guard. He could eventually become the starter. For now, however, he adds depth to the line.

Green has to improve on his pass blocking. He has a tendency to grab when defenders move away from him. He’ll get a lot of holding calls at the pro level if he continues that. He does have pretty good footwork so he could improve on that.

What Green excels in is run blocking. He has incredible strength and hand placement and just bulldozes defenders out of the way, opening gaping holes for the running game.

Having Green will make David Montgomery and the other running backs happy. They’ll see bigger holes to run through. It’ll even make Fields happy when he needs to run himself.

Zion Johnson, Boston College: 6-foot-3, 312 pounds

Zion Johnson would give the Chicago Bears a wide body on the interior. He has immense power and moves people out of the way easily. He has experience as a tackle but has limited athleticism so he’ll be a guard at the next level.

Johnson’s strength helps him open holes on the interior of the offensive line. Additionally, with the traffic in the interior, he does a better job of pass blocking. He won’t have to try to take on more athletic pass rushers on the outside.

Johnson does a good job of getting leverage. Also, he has a good first strike to stun defenders and get them off balance. He shines when he helps on double-team blocks.

Why not go to Poles’ alma mater for offensive line help? He could get as much info on Johnson and find out how he could help.

Jamaree Salyer, Georgia: 6-foot-3, 321 pounds

Versatility is the name of the game here. Jamaree Salyer adds that to the team. He’s another lineman who played all five positions on the line.

Salyer would be a quality backup who could eventually find a starting spot. He has a broad chest, huge thighs, and long arms. He could be a pretty good starting right tackle.

Salyer has the size and strength you want in an offensive lineman. He has an excellent punch. He has clubbing hands that have a lot of power.

Salyer would be the right player to provide quality backup reps. Additionally, he can spot start.

Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: 6-foot-6, 305 pounds

Poles stated that he wants slimmer, more athletic linemen than the Chicago Bears had over recent years. He wants them to be able to do more and move better.

Bernhard Raimann checks those boxes. He used to be a tight end but then moved over to the line in 2020. He took his coaching to heart and developed rapidly into one of the top prospects.

Raimann uses his tight end experience to get to the next level quickly. Additionally, with his added weight and strength he does a good job of blowing up linebackers.

It might take a little time for Raimann to fulfill his potential. He is still a little raw but shows that he has a lot of skills already. He could be a really great pickup and become a longtime starter at left tackle.

Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa: 6-foot-7, 325 pounds

Trevor Penning has skyrocketed in the prospect rankings. He is a three-year starter at left tackle and gained over 100 pounds since he came to Northern Iowa.

Penning has great strength and size. He also has good athleticism. Furthermore, he has a mean streak in him. One of the things that Poles lamented was the lack of meanness on the offensive line. Penning helps change that quickly. He wants to destroy anyone lined up in front of him. He utilizes violent block finishes when possible.

Penning is athletic enough to block on the move. He’ll do a good job of drive blocking. He could eventually be the nasty player and vocal leader that Poles seeks.

Penning is a throwback to the mean, nasty linemen of old. However, he has more athleticism. He was made to be a Chicago Bears offensive lineman.