NFL Draft 2011: 10 Best Offensive and Defensive Linemen for Chicago Bears
Published by Bob Warja on March 21, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Despite the uncertainty of the current labor situation in the NFL, Bears fans and management recognize the importance of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Although the needs are many, most agree that the two biggest areas of focus in the early rounds will be on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, particularly the lines. Offensive line in particular is a gaping hole for the Bears to fill. Likewise, the departure of Tommie Harris creates a need for a true defensive tackle.
Many draft experts agree that there is more of an abundance of talented defensive tackles in this year’s draft than offensive linemen, so it would behoove the Bears to take an O-lineman with the 29th pick in the draft.
However, it’s not as if the D-line can be ignored for long, so it would make sense for Chicago to draft one in the second round, assuming those are the two biggest needs for the team.
On the O-line, I will focus on the highest ranked tackles and one center, since those are the two biggest needs (Olin Kreutz may come back for one more year but we’ll need to groom a replacement).
Recognizing that, let’s take a look at the top-ranked players at these positions and then see which ones may be available for the Bears.
