It’s strange. Around five days before the news broke about the Chicago Bears trading the #1 overall pick, accurate inside information began to surface from guys like Peter King of NBC Sports and Albert Breer of the MMQB. Both not only predicted it was likely the Bears would move the pick but even stated the team to watch was the Carolina Panthers. That should tell you how reliable their information is. Well, it’s about three days before the draft and the two veteran insiders have struck again.
King got things started by releasing his official mock draft. His choice for the Bears was Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson. This isn’t a big surprise. His mixture of size, athleticism, and length fit the exact prototype GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus covet. He’s also reported to be a great kid, boasting a strong work ethic. Mere hours later, it was Breer’s turn. He unveiled everything he’s been hearing about teams going into the draft. His details on Chicago were eye-opening.
Bears GM Ryan Poles has done a ton of work on the offensive linemen, and a few people there told me that, at Ohio State’s pro day, he zeroed in pretty good on Johnson. The issue with Johnson lacking top-end strength can be addressed—he doesn’t turn 22 until July, and he has exemplary football character, which would lead you to believe he’ll improve in that area. “Knowing the scouting tree that Poles is coming from, I’d think it’ll be Paris,” said an AFC exec. “It’s the size, the length, just having a pass-blocking left tackle, it matches up.” Skoronski is another name that’s come up here, and if both are gone, Poles could work to fortify his defensive line.
If Ryan Poles sticks to his roots, this pick makes sense.
During his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, they selected offensive tackles four times in the first three rounds. The two most recent, Eric Fisher and Lucas Niang, were both 6’6 or taller, good athletes, and with longer-than-average arms. Johnson checks those boxes. He’s 6’7 with 36-inch arms and is a very good athlete for his size. The only complaint anybody has about him is his overall lack of power. That is something that can be corrected as he continues to fill out his still-young frame.
If what Breer says is true and Ryan Poles has his heart set on Johnson, it’s hard to feel bad about the idea. Most would agree he’s the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft class. Moving down from #1, landing D.J. Moore in the trade, and then securing a highly-talented left tackle on top of it would be quite a masterstroke for the Bears GM. It would make Justin Fields plenty happy. He already has a prior relationship with Johnson. The two were teammates in college and became friends. That bond might serve the team well if they were reunited.
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