Chicago Bears: Offensive Line Prospects Abound at the 2013 Senior Bowl
Published by Andrew Garda on January 23, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
One of the priorities for the Chicago Bears this offseason is to get the offensive line some help.
Unfortunately the one guy who the Bears were probably looking to get is having too good a week and won’t be available with the Bears’ pick in the first-round.
Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher is an absolute force of nature on the practice field. Fisher was a guy the Bears hoped could fall to them at 20, but after he continued to pancaked guys like Alex Okafor out of Texas, or Missouri Southern’s Brandon Williams, it was clear that those hopes would not come to fruition.
So who is left in Mobile?
Well, luckily for Chicago and GM Phil Emery, the answer is plenty.
Kyle Long (yes, son of Howie) from Oregon has played well, and could play at several spots along the line. At 6’6″, 304 pounds, Long is a big guy but moves well and showed some good punch at the snap. He’s not a standout, top pick, but would definitely be someone the Bears should look at late on Day Two and for sure on Day Three of the draft.
I like what I saw from Wisconsin’s Ricky Wagner as well. Another 6’6″ prospect, Wagner got overwhelmed a few times by some speed rushes but overall played very solid for the North squad.
At the South practices, Clemson’s Dalton freeman did a great job, showing power and more than a little burst. He stood up defenders more than once, and while I’m not sold he could step in day one, he has the tools to become a very good lineman.
Finally, Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson stood out to me multiple times on Tuesday. Johnson isn’t a guy I’d watched much film on, as most Oklahoma games so far have been Landry Jones focused. However, Johnson stoned some good pass rushers on Tuesday and is someone I’ll be watching more coming back home from Mobile.
He definitely has the strength and speed to either guard the interior or, possibly, hang at right tackle.
While Fisher might be out of reach for the Bears, there are definitely a ton of good prospects among the Seniors here in Mobile.
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