Usually, around this time of year, there isn’t much consensus on who an NFL team will take with their 1st round pick in the upcoming draft. That is because the pre-draft process hasn’t concluded, and teams haven’t addressed roster holes in free agency. By the start of April, you finally start seeing more consistency with who teams are projected to pick. That isn’t the case for the Chicago Bears. February isn’t even half over yet, and it seems all of the most prominent draft experts are convinced they’re taking the same player.
It isn’t a secret the Bears need offensive line help. When your quarterback gets sacked 67 times, that becomes obvious. Multiple moves are expected, including with the 10th overall pick. Everybody is projecting an offensive lineman. Where it gets wild is they all seem to be projecting the same offensive lineman.
- Field Yates (ESPN) – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Matt Miller (ESPN) – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas
- Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Mike Renner (CBS Sports) – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Kyle Crabbs (The 33rd Team) – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Despite assertions from local insiders that GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson will likely focus on the interior offensive line, it seems everybody believes the Bears target a left tackle to replace Braxton Jones.
Banks wouldn’t be a slam dunk for the Chicago Bears.
Most agree this tackle class isn’t nearly as strong as some of the more recent ones. Will Campbell is the only clear top-10 prospect, and many see him as a guard. Banks is a strong run blocker who has the athleticism and experience to handle left tackle. The problem seems to be that he has holes in his pass protection. His technique isn’t always on point, and he appears susceptible to power rushers due to a weak anchor. Sound familiar? Those are the same problems facing Jones.
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Also, the Chicago Bears have a dubious track record with Texas players in the 1st round. Of the six names drafted that high in franchise history, four were outright busts, one (Bobby Lane) was traded due to a dispute with playing time, and the last was Cedric Benson. Banks may end up becoming a good player. He’s being compared to Vikings standout Christian Darrisaw. That said, it is hard not to feel like the Bears may go in a different direction once the actual draft begins.
