Back to the draft grind. Coming quick! Covered quite a bit of the positions but now more the big boys on the O.

Oline is definitely hardest to grade cuz unless you’re a scout or pro, how the heck are you gonna get a hold of college tape of oline? Soon as the ball is snapped, the camera pans to QB, then RB/WR.

When I used to be more into the draft, a few sites actually compressed entire games/snaps, and a very bored unmarried, childless, Butch, would watch.

Yet I suspect NCAA/NFL cracked down on many of those sites [think this is how Your Boy Roy ended].

Olin knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Oline, but IMO, he’s OVERLY optimistic on just about everyone. Off the top of my head, I don’t really recall him criticizing any recent Bear Olinemen, and we had more than a few stinkers.

It’s just in Olin’s nature. He’s not a Greg Gabriel type willing to call his fellow grinders out. He may, but it’s very subtle, so us Bear fans are REALLY left at the mercy of the paid ‘experts’ when it comes to diagnosing.

If any regs actually watch college religiously and can diagnose all these prospects, feel free to chime in!

[Big Mike still around?]

• Tier I
• 1. LT Monroe Freeling [Georgia]He’s not falling to the Bears. Next.
• 2. OG/RT Mauigoa [Miami]. Unless Thuney also retires…Mauigoa can man RT, but Wright ain’t moving to LT. One stat I found interesting is that 1st rd OGs are relatively safe. About 70% ‘success’ rate while WR hit rate hovers around 40%.
• 3. OT Max Iheanachor [Arizona State]. “I’m not sure if he doesn’t have the potential to be the best one of all….16-32 range” – Simms. This is a prospect that has seemingly shot out of nowhere; some may even be shocked he’s graded this highly. He’s from Nigeria, mostly played basketball and soccer then transferred to the same local community college I attended when I nearly flunked out of school! East Los Angeles College [ELAC]. And yes, it’s exactly how you may imagine, so for Max to climb this far – inspiring.
  Lacks the polish/mechanics, but flaunts the raw body, power, and athleticism which Poles loves. As with most ‘raw’ linemen who came to football late – he’s a gamble. Remember, Kyle Long, a physical freak with NFL genetics, had to kick inside because he couldn’t handle LT/RT.
• Tier II
• 4. OT Kadyn Proctor [Bama]. He’s def a popular mock to Bears at #25 ‘He’s not an athlete like the previous – not going to pull, sometimes stops feet, punch not great. High ceiling/low floor. Not a 1st RDer. Mid second‘ Simms. I just don’t know if he’s a system fit. Seems more equipped for one gap power. Poles specifically likes athletic LTs. Both Kiran and Braxton can move even getting to the second lvl; however, BJ/Rouschar may not mind more lumbering oafs who can, ya know, destroy the person in front of them. Trapilo isn’t exactly a dancing bear.
• 5. LT/OT Caleb Lomu [Utah]. ‘Opposite of Proctor. Great feet. Questionable power. Sometimes plays too tall. Lacks the anchor and the ass. Not a 1st RDer. Top 45ish’ – Simms
  
• IOL:
• TIER I
• 1. Emmanuel Pregnon [Oregon]. ‘Blocking for him isn’t adequate. He wants to drive you into the dirt. Square. Strong Arms. Twitchy. 10-20ish’ -Simms. Could be a sneaky Poles’ pick if he falls to 25.
• TIER II
• 2. Keylan Rutledge [Georgia Tech]’Physical. Plays beyond the whistle. Over aggressive. Athletic enough. They run in Georgia’ -Simms [20-30 range]
• 3. Vega Ioane [Penn St]’20-30. Best pass pro. Incredible anchor. Feet. Run game must improved.’ – Simms
• TIER III
• 4. Spencer Fano [Utah]. ‘Looks more like an OG than an OT. Anchor and footwork won’t cut it at OT. Arms short, but wingspan is bigger than Will Campbell. Athletic but not aggressive. End of 1st RD’ – Simms Only interest I’d have in Fano is at C where some coaches tested him.
• 5. C Jake Slaughter [Florida]. Mocked frequently in 4rth. Connor Lew [Auburn], Sam Hecht [Kansas St], Logan Jones[Iowa] all clumped together. ‘Slaughter not overwhelming, but doesn’t make mistakes. More of a zone blocker Mid 2nd RDer. Center is the hardest for me to evaluate.’ – Simms
  
• If Poles/BJ is looking for more than just a band aid at C, then these bigguns absolutely in play. I see Slaughter to the Bears in tons of simulations, some Hecht as ‘sleeper,’ and TBH, I don’t have the time to watch the tape of the others!
  
  And with that…time to finish off my Red Bush!