The Bears Garett Bolles interest shouldn’t be a surprise.Nobody can ever say GM Ryan Pace is not a creature of habit. Over the past two drafts during his time in Chicago, the first two rounds have gone pretty much the same way. Take a premier athlete at a skill position in the first round, take a lineman in the second round. It was true in 2015 (Kevin White/Eddie Goldman) and again in 2016 (Leonard Floyd/Cody Whitehair).
It’s hard to argue with the results. Goldman and Floyd are two of the best players on the defense. Whitehair had an outstanding rookie season as their starting center. Thanks to Pace’s efforts the Bears offensive line in particular has become a team strength. Whitehair, Josh Sitton and Kyle Long form perhaps the best interior trio of blockers in the NFL.
Most experts agree the only thing missing for it to become elite is a top offensive tackle. While Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie were a serviceable pair last year, neither even rank in the top 10 at their respective positions. That would explain the Bears’ interest in Bolles.
Utah left tackle Garett Bolles is visiting the @ChicagoBears today, per a source.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 11, 2017
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Why the Bears Garett Bolles connection is exciting
Most will say the offensive tackle class for 2017 is weak. That’s not necessarily true. It’s not deep. There is a difference between the two. In fact there are three tackles in this class that can be considered starter quality. Garett Bolles of Utah is one of them. A late riser on draft boards following the 2016 season. Part of the reason is because it took him awhile to get his life straightened out.
Bolles got into a lot of trouble as a teenager with everything from drugs, to cutting classes and encounters with the laws. He was suspended or kicked out of five different schools. Not until he was taken in by a foster family and found religion did his personal life find peace. He started college late, rediscovered his ability for football and rapidly rose up the ranks until he was starting at Utah as one of the best left tackles in the country.
The words of his former Snow College coach Kyle Whittingham still ring true.
“He’s got the whole package. He’s got the height, the length, the feet, the hips, he’s flexible, he can bend, he’s strong, he’s athletic. He lacks nothing.”
So why isn’t he higher on boards? Well aside from his past, he’s also raw. Bolles has just one season of starting experience at the FBS level. There are plenty of fundamental issues to work through. He’s also a bit light for an NFL tackle at 297 lbs. He’ll have to add some weight. Lastly, he’ll be turning 25-years old in May. Such things can’t be so easily ignored. At least in terms of first round consideration.
This would mean the Bears are likely eyeing him for their #36 pick in the second. So why the interest?
Well, he’s good.
Garett Bolles comes in at the top, @nfldraftscout comparison: Joe Staley. Gets a 6.99 grade (top of round 2) +athleticism and nasty: pic.twitter.com/afhH3bCTd3
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) April 5, 2017
This is why I like Utah's OT Garett Bolles. #Utes #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/NwpzRQ5v0s
— Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) February 20, 2017
Stop nitpicking
Not only is Bolles arguably the most athletic pass protector in this draft, he also might be one of the meanest. He has a nasty streak that can often set the tone for games that intimidate pass rushers. At 6’5″ he boasts 34-inch arms. Everything about him says he’s got a bright future in the NFL. All a team has to do is look past his slight age and weight concerns.
For what it’s worth, Bears fans shouldn’t have a problem. These are the same exact issues raised about a young man named Kyle Long when he came out of Oregon in 2013. Not very experienced. An iffy background pockmarked by legal issues. Older than average draft prospects. Seems that worked out just fine after three Pro Bowls. He’s still just 28-years old. At the end of the day it’s not going to be a huge deal.
Health permitting Bolles should end up being a standout tackle for 7-10 years in the NFL. Imagine an offensive line that featured him, Sitton, Whitehair and Long. The possibilities would be limitless for their offense, especially if they ever end up finding a quarterback. In this context it’s perfectly understandable why the Bears are interested. Elite offensive lines tend to take a team far in this league.
