Alex Leatherwood has endured a tumultuous last 16 months. It began in April of 2021 when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him 17th overall in the draft. It was a mild surprise to some. While the Outland Trophy winner from Alabama was an outstanding talent, they didn’t feel he was ready for the NFL. Most projected him as a solid 2nd round guy. So he was immediately called a reach when the Raiders drafted him.
It only got worse from there. Leatherwood was thrust into the starting lineup right away. If that weren’t risky enough, the Raiders had him switch position from his original left tackle spot to right tackle. It didn’t go well. The rookie was routinely abused by more experienced pass rushers, allowing 67 pressures and eight sacks on the quarterback. That included an attempt to move him inside to guard.
Nothing worked.
Still, lots of rookies struggle. Maybe given some time, he’d figure things out. Then Las Vegas hired a new GM and head coach. Two men with their own ideas for the roster. After a few months of evaluating him, the new regime decided he didn’t have a future with them. Once trade inquiries fell through, Leatherwood was cut. It was one of the few times in recent history where a 1st round pick got sent packing after just one season.
Many have already declared him a bust. Expectations were he’d slip through waivers unclaimed due to his somewhat large 1st round pick contract. Then the plot twist arrived. Chicago claimed him, adding him to their 53-man roster. Head coach Matt Eberflus said they were big fans of his run-blocking ability and said he has a clean slate with them.
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One man seems to think the move was crafty. Duke Manyweather is widely regarded as the best personal trainer for offensive linemen in the country. He believes if the Bears can be patient with Leatherwood, the kid will be “special.”
RE: Leatherwood
I thought Alex was always 2-full-years away from being a special player. Needs development
We give up on guys too easily. It’s not his fault he was drafted in the 1st rd with unrealistic expectations placed on him, out of his control
⬇️From Pre-Draft 2021 https://t.co/SAq4ESviGD
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) August 31, 2022
Leatherwood is different, with the right coaching and development plan, he’s going to be special. Highly intellectual and intelligent individual. Knowing how to coach and cue him will be the ticket, because there is so much there with him! https://t.co/HmL0S6fyOx
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 23, 2021
Alex Leatherwood issues have nothing to do with talent.
He has size (6’5, 312 lbs), athleticism, and length (34-inch arms). What Manyweather said falls in line with the draft reports about him. He has significant technique issues. He didn’t use his length or hands to his advantage and got accused of lacking a consistent motor when it came to finishing reps. It seems like his coaches at Alabama never tried to teach him the finer points of playing his position. They were content letting him use his significant physical ability to handle the job.
It explains why several highly-drafted Alabama offensive linemen underachieved early in their careers. Recent examples include James Carpenter, Chance Warmack, Cam Robinson, and Jonah Williams. It comes down to whether a team has the coaching and patience to get the flaws fixed. Alex Leatherwood now sits in the hands of Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan.
He is no stranger to 1st round picks struggling.
Jake Matthews was a mess in 2014 for the Atlanta Falcons, allowing 51 pressures and seven sacks. Morgan took over the next year in 2015. Matthews immediately improved, allowing 38 pressures and one sack. He went on to make his first Pro Bowl in 2018. The Bears feel they have the right infrastructure in place to help Leatherwood. If they succeed, claiming him will look like grand larceny years from now.
Can Alex Leatherwood find the tools within himself to adjust his game to Chris Morgan? One has to apply himself to learn, if A Leatherwood applies himself to what Chris Morgan brings to the table, he will become a very special OL player. If he does, the Bears have the chance to set the OL for the next 5-7 years without too much worry. Leatherwood and B Jones on the left side could be very formidable for many years to come.
I’m hoping he has Braxton Jones is in Leatherwood’s ear a lot. Another long-armed guy who was never taught what an advantage those long arms can be!
I like the pick up and if he can develop this year we can have him on a rookie deal for a couple years on the cheap. I think it is a good low risk high reward scenerio for the Bears
Wasn’t the biggest fan when you suggested this move yesterday but since it happened I dug a little deeper and it appears the Raiders did him no favours. Massive reach and then the coaching he received was trash. Hopefully, Chris Morgan can teach the kid how to use his considerable talents properly and the Bears will be all the better for that
Leatherwood and now Diesch are 2 Chris Morgan OL projects that cost nothing but time and money. Who needs draft picks, and the right coaching, to bring out the talent.