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
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.
2. Josh Jones, Houston
Jones is considered one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class, and it’s easy to see why Chicago has met with him twice during the pre-draft process. He had a private meeting ahead of the coronavirus and recently FaceTimed with the Bears. Jones, who played mostly at left tackle during his collegiate career, has allowed only 18 pressures in the last three seasons, according to PFF, and he’s posted 88.0 or better pass-blocking grade over the last two seasons, along with a 92.7 run-blocking grade in 2019. Whether that transfers to the NFL remains to be seen.
3. Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
Given the depth of offensive tackle in this draft class, it’s likely that some of the top prospects will be long gone before Pick 43. But someone that could fall to the second round is Auburn’s Prince Tega Wanogho. Another left tackle prospect, Wanogho is an impressive specimen of an athlete. At 6-foot-5 tackle at 300-plus pounds, his athleticism is impressive to say the least. While his technique still needs refining, he’s a developmental prospect worth taking a risk on.
4. Ben Bartch, St. Johns (MN)
Bartch is a converted tight end that presents as an intriguing developmental prospect who gained steamed following a solid outing at the Senior Bowl. While he hails from a small-school background and doesn’t have a lot of experience at the left tackle position, his athleticism and potential make him a prospect worth taking a risk on. And considering the Bears won’t be looking for a Day 1 starter at tackle, he could have a chance to develop behind the likes of Charles Leno Jr.
5. Charlie Heck, North Carolina
Offensive line play runs in Heck’s family, and he showed why as a three-year starter at North Carolina. Heck is a converted tight end, who switched to offensive line in college. While he moved to left tackle full-time last season, Heck also has experience on the right side. Heck’s biggest strength comes in pass blocking, where he thrived during his collegiate career. But the concern with Heck is his size. At a 6-foot-8 and 315 pounds, Heck still has some work to do to hammer out some of the issues for better body control.
