Bears Advised to Reconsider Drafting 'Top' Offensive Tackle
The Chicago Bears hold the ninth pick in the upcoming NFL draft, presenting them with a variety of strategic options. Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report cautioned on April 20 against choosing Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham. He argues that Latham, despite being a formidable run-blocker, shares too many similarities with Darnell Wright�Chicago's recent first-round tackle�who has struggled with pass protection.
Wright has shown potential but has experienced issues in pass-blocking, as evidenced by his stats from his rookie season which include 31 blown pass blocks. Latham, who primarily played as a right tackle at Alabama, would likely need to shift to the left side, a move that could complicate the Bears' offensive line dynamics.
There's also speculation about the Bears trading down. NFL Network's Peter Schrager suggested that Chicago might swap their ninth pick for the 15th pick and an additional second-rounder from the Indianapolis Colts. This move could still allow the Bears to secure a high-quality tackle like Latham later in the first round, where his skill set might be more valuable.
Beyond the offensive line, the Bears are also considering other positions. Edge rusher Jared Verse from Florida State and wide receivers like Rome Odunze from Washington and Malik Nabers from LSU are among the top talents that might still be available if the Bears opt to trade down. This approach not only broadens their options but enhances their ability to address multiple needs, potentially adding excitement and strategic depth to their draft-day decisions.
| POLL | ||
20 AVRIL | 75 ANSWERS Bears Advised to Reconsider Drafting 'Top' Offensive Tackle Should the Bears trade down in the upcoming NFL draft? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 37.3 % |
| No | 47 | 62.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
