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Former Scout Says This Lineman Is A Major Steal For The Bears

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M. Robitaille
March 16, 2023  (11:08)
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Chicago Bears' GM Ryan Poles has been focusing on bolstering the defensive front seven during the free agency period, which comes as no surprise given their poor performance in the 2022 season. However, Poles knew that the beleaguered offensive line also needed some attention. Despite expectations for a right tackle, the first acquisition turned out to be veteran guard Nate Davis, which was a pleasant surprise for many since Davis is not a household name.

Former Bears scout Greg Gabriel spoke to Windy City Gridiron and shed some light on the acquisition, stating that Davis is not only a good player, but one of the biggest steals of the off-season. Despite not being well-known, Davis has experience as a former starter for the Tennessee Titans and could prove to be a valuable addition to the Bears' offensive line.

«A FEW HOURS LATER, TWO MORE SIGNINGS WERE ANNOUNCED BACK TO BACK. THE FIRST WAS WITH GUARD NATE DAVIS, FORMERLY WITH TENNESSEE, WHO GOT A 3-YEAR DEAL WORTH ABOUT $30M, ANOTHER BARGAIN. DAVIS IS A STUD WHO CAN LINE UP AT EITHER GUARD POSITION AND IS A PERFECT FIT FOR THE BEARS' OUTSIDE ZONE SCHEME. HE IS EQUALLY GOOD AS BOTH A RUN AND PASS BLOCKER.»

Continuing on from the Bears' acquisition of veteran guard Nate Davis, his athleticism for his size is noteworthy as he can move well in space and execute pull blocks with ease. Furthermore, his pass protection skills improved considerably last season. However, the team faces a conundrum regarding his position as Davis has primarily played as a right guard throughout his career. Teven Jenkins, who played right guard last season, performed well in that position, which leads former Bears scout Greg Gabriel to speculate that Davis will be shifted to the left side of the line, with a potential twist in store.

«GETTING BACK TO THE OTHER SIGNINGS, HOW WILL THE BEARS USE NATE DAVIS? DAVIS PLAYED RIGHT GUARD AT TENNESSEE, THE SAME POSITION THAT TEVIN JENKINS PLAYS. I CAN SEE THE BEARS MOVING DAVIS TO THE LEFT SIDE AND THEN MOVING CODY WHITEHAIR BACK TO CENTER WHERE HE STARTED HIS CAREER. THAT WOULD DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE. ADD A GOOD RIGHT TACKLE IN THE DRAFT, AND THE LINE GOT MUCH BETTER.»

The addition of Nate Davis to the offensive line is just the beginning of the Chicago Bears' offseason moves. Davis, a versatile and athletic guard, has impressed scouts with his ability to move in space and excel in pass protection. While he has primarily played at right guard, the Bears plan to shift him to the left side, where he could partner with Jenkins to create a dominant guard tandem. This move also gives the team options at center, with Gabriel suggesting they could go with Whitehair or give Lucas Patrick another opportunity. With the offensive line coming together, Poles' focus in the upcoming draft will be finding a right tackle.

The team could be in a far better place, with a younger and more athletic offensive line, and Fields will surely benefit from the improved protection. In addition, Davis brings a physical and violent mentality to the offensive line, a trait that Poles desires. With Jenkins and Davis at guard, the Bears could have one of the better interiors in the league if they receive modest blocking from the center position. Credit goes to Poles for identifying and signing Davis as a solid addition to the Bears' offensive line.

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