The Chicago Bears could go in almost any direction with the 10th overall pick later this month. Running back, tight end, and pass rusher are all strong possibilities. However, the most contentious debate hovers around left tackle. The Bears face uncertainty at the position. Braxton Jones broke his leg last season and enters the final year of his contract. Kiran Amegadjie remains an unproven quantity. Rather than let those two duke it out in training camp, the Bears may wish to find a long-term solution in the 1st round. There is a problem. Each of the top options faces a big question mark. Kyle Long understands that better than most.
Everybody knows about LSU tackle Will Campbell and the hot discussions around his shorter arms. One name challenging him for the top spot is Armand Membou. Many see the Missouri tackle as the total package with power, length, and athleticism. There is one concern. He’s spent his college career at right tackle. It isn’t certain if he can handle the transition to the left side. Long was asked about this on Twitter (X). He made it clear that such worries are overblown.
Kyle Long knows that good players always find a way.
A good example of this is Penei Sewell. He built his campaign as an eventual 1st round pick at Oregon as a left tackle. The Detroit Lions took him 7th overall in 2021 and immediately moved him to the right side. He has since made three Pro Bowls. Future Hall of Famer Johnathan Ogden was a right tackle in college. Baltimore shifted him to the left side upon arrival in the NFL and he anchored their offensive line for a decade. Lane Johnson and Jack Conklin are other recent examples.
Make no mistake. Switching sides isn’t easy. It requires learning how to adjust your backdrops and hand usage, which can be jarring at first. Still, with enough practice, it eventually becomes second nature. Kyle Long understood that. If he could handle it, there is no reason to think Membou can’t. What matters is whether the Bears feel he fits the style of play they want. He does. Don’t worry about that. The kid is athletic and a violent run blocker. If he ends up available at #10, keep the name circled.
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I love it when Kyle Long and Tom Thayer get involved in the conversation. As retired Bears players who were great when they played and they are great fans alongside the rest of us. Their opinion counts and I appreciate their observations. It will be intesting if Membou, Campbell, or Jeanty are still available at #10.
I’ve done a little bit of research on this guy, I also love Kyle and his entire family, especially his dad.
If we could trade down to maybe 15, I’d be thrilled with this OT, that way we get another high pick to get our running back with that 2nd pick.
Tristan Wirfs was a RT in college. If the player is good enough, he can shift.
Just because Mr. Long made an easy transition doesn’t mean you can generalize to all lineman, especially OTs. Good OL men might find a way at some point, but the LT protecting the QBs blindside could be risky at least in the short run. I have known even LBs, RBs, and WRs who had preferences or difficulties when starting or performing left versus right on plays.
Forget O lineman at 10. Waste to draft a guy that high to watch and learn. Trade back and draft Grant from Michigan. Guy is going to be a better version of Billings. He can rotate in and help the D this year and replace Billings in a couple of years. Then a RB and DE in the second…get your development Oline guy in the 3rd.