The 2023 NFL draft is just around the corner, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of needs to address with their 10 picks.
Heading into the draft, improving the offensive line will be a priority for the Bears, who allowed the fourth most sacks last season despite having the best-rushing offense in the NFL.
The signing of veteran Nate Davis on the interior was an upgrade, but questions remain about Cody Whitehair and Teven Jenkins’ future with the team. There’s also uncertainty at center with Lucas Patrick, who only played seven games last year.
Heading into the draft, Chicago needs to draft for center and guard. Here are players the Bears could target in each round of the NFL draft.
Round 1: C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
A three-year starter at Minnesota, Schmitz can play in multiple offenses. He’s a prototypical zone scheme offensive lineman. He doesn’t overwhelm defenders as a blocker, but he successfully moves them and creates run lanes. As a pass blocker, he’s solid, rugged, and able to anchor against more enormous nose tackles.
Round 2: C Joe Tippman, Wisconsin
A center with experience in the wide zone offense, Tippman is effective when pulling and getting to the second level. He’s quick out of his stance and can displace defensive linemen on zone run plays. A tall center at 6-foot-6, he needs to get more consistent with his leverage and hand placement in pass protection.
Round 2: IOL Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Mauch impressed scouts when he held his own at all five positions on the offensive line. Given his athletic ability, he’s a good fit for a zone scheme and has shown good quickness when pulling and working as a lead blocker. Overall he plays with a nasty demeanor and will succeed as an interior offensive lineman.
Round 3: C Luke Wypler, Ohio State
A two-year starter in Ohio State’s zone run offense, he is another prototypical zone lineman – small and athletic. Wypler plays quickly and has shown the ability to block 3-techniques from the center position. He can use his quickness to shield defensive linemen in pass protection, but his lack of mass causes difficulty against power rushers.
Round 3: IOL Braeden Daniels, Utah
Daniels is a tall, lean athlete that excels at cutting off defenders and getting to the second level. Despite his size, he is inconsistent with his punch and would do better to attack defensive linemen with more strength in the run game. Like Tippman, his height leads to poor pad level and exposes him to power rushers.
Round 4: C Olusegun Oluwatimi
Oluwatimi, a graduate transfer at Michigan, had some exposure to zone-based schemes, but like others on this list, his lack of mass and athleticism makes him best suited for the zone run offense. Although Oluwatimi isn’t a mauler, he wins with body positioning and displacing defenders to create run lanes.
Round 4: IOL Emil Ekiyor Jr, Alabama
The three-year starter is a perfect prospect for the zone scheme. Ekiyor has the necessary mass to play the position and good enough athleticism to serve as a puller and lead blocker. Although, like most on this list, he isn’t a mauler, he wins by steering defensive linemen to create running lanes. He’d be best served as a center instead of a guard.
Round 5: IOL Andrew Vorhees, USC
A five-year starter at USC, Vorhees has experience playing in zone and gap run concepts. He has the size and strength to win with power but needs quicker feet to play tackle. In addition, he will successfully play on the interior, latching onto defensive linemen and making them “play in a phonebooth.”
Round 6: OG Jon Gaines II, UCLA
Jon Gaines is a very athletic guard who does a great job of steering defensive linemen out of rush lanes. But, again, like most zone blockers, he isn’t a mauler. Gaines will create opportunities for running backs but will do it by winning ugly. He’s a great pass blocker when he isn’t asked to anchor against power rushers. With his athleticism, he can mirror and jump most speed rushers.
Round 7: C Alex Forsyth, Oregon
A three-year starter at Oregon and a team leader, Forsyth’s smaller in stature but a technician. He’s efficient at getting his hands on defensive linemen and creating leverage against bigger defenders in the run game. Athletically Forsyth can consistently get to the second level, but he’s often unable to get his hands on defenders. Also, given his lack of size, he often struggles to anchor in the passing game.
