The Chicago Bears have a new quarterback in town with Justin Fields. So coming into Day 2, what should their primary objective be? A smart GM would think the obvious. Start building up his protection. Chicago has some question marks at offensive tackle. Charles Leno and Germain Ifedi are both on the last year of their respective deals. They needed to find somebody they can start long-term.
Like with Fields yesterday, the Bears were surprised to see Oklahoma State tackle Teven Jenkins falling into the 2nd round. So Ryan Pace did his thing once again, moving up from the 52nd pick to the 39th spot to grab the massive kid. One thing that immediately stands out about him? He’s big, physical, and nasty. The guy blocks as if defenders just insulted his mother. A dog in the running game and deceptively good in pass protection. He has a chance to start immediately.
The Bears trade up here is for Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins. So they get Justin Fields a bodyguard that they'd have considered at 20, before the trade.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 30, 2021
From his pro day, here’s Bears OT Teven Jenkins describing his play: "Tough, physical, nasty motherfucker, a dude who does not shy away from hits, a dude who actually wants to get physical and a dude who wants to bust his ass. I don’t know if I’m allowed to cuss on here. Sorry.”
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) April 30, 2021
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Teven Jenkins is a junkyard dog, really physical in the run game.
He was also dominant in pass protection against some really good pass-rushers (e.g. Joseph Ossai).
(📽️: @BrandonThornNFL)pic.twitter.com/SLQbq9BbJa
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) March 3, 2021
Bears’ Teven Jenkins across four seasons at Oklahoma State:
🔸 Pass-blocking snaps: 1,129
🔸 QB sacks allowed: 2 pic.twitter.com/FcOVJarOsB— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 30, 2021
Jenkins has everything needed to be good.
The only consistent problem evaluators seemed to have with him was his arm length. At 33.5 inches, that is somewhat under the 34-inch line a lot of teams tend to prefer. Then again, it didn’t seem to bother him much as he routinely stonewalled defenders most of his time in college. This is a guy who seems to take things personally on the field. Nobody is touching his quarterback. At least not without paying a price.
One thing about the Bears offensive line the past couple of years was the feeling that they lacked that firebreather. Somebody who could be the tone-setter on the field. Similar to what Kyle Long was during his peak years in Chicago. Jenkins is exactly that type of player. He’s 6’6, 317 lbs of pure, unadulterated rage after the snap. Cross him at your own peril.
Chicago Bears are making much smarter decisions now
Four years ago when they took Mitch Trubisky, the team made the mistake of not addressing his protection in the 2017 draft until the 5th round. They never drafted an offensive tackle during the entire time he was in Chicago. It appears Ryan Pace isn’t planning to make that mistake again. Just 24 hours after grabbing his QB of the future, he grabbed a tackle who could end up protecting him for the next decade.
Another person who will be happy he’s in town? David Montgomery. Jenkins is known even more for his run blocking than his pass protection. Pure brute strength coupled with his murderous intent allows him to plow open lanes for his backs. With the Chicago Bears having Montgomery, a returning Tarik Cohen, and Super Bowl hero Damien Williams arriving? They suddenly have the makings of a capable ground attack.
Bottom line? The Bears offense is a lot more talented now.
If Fields and Jenkins play up to their potential, these are two guys who could end up going to Pro Bowls together. Even better is the right side of that offensive line is shaping up to be impressive. James Daniels, who is still only 23-years old is expected to shift to right guard. With Jenkins coming to right tackle? That could be a nasty right side of the offensive line for years to come.
