Chicago Bears mock draft 3.0: Added versatility
Joe Haeg (6-foot-6, 304 pounds), OT, North Dakota State
Talk about a tenacious player. Haeg weighed just 235 pounds when coming out of high school. He did not get any attention except from a couple of Division-II schools.
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Then North Dakota and North Dakota State contacted him. They could not offer him a scholarship, though. He decided to walk onto North Dakota State and take his chances.
That decision worked out well for both Haeg and the school. He redshirted in 2011, but then became a two-time All American, helping his school become a Mountain West powerhouse.
In 2012 and 2013, Haeg made 29 starts at right tackle. In 2014, he moved over to left tackle. He started every game at left tackle in 2014 and 2015, earning All American honors at that position. With him as a blindside protector, Carson Wentz will be one of the top picks in this year’s draft.
Scouts say that Haeg has the feet of a dancer on the line. For a big man, he has very light feet, and is strong. He has smooth lateral movement off the snap, and he can get to the second level effectively.
Haeg impressed the scouts at the Senior Bowl practices. He went up against better competition and showed good agility, power and balance in his pass protection.
Next: Chicago Bears Mock Draft 2.0: Four Round Picks
With Jermon Bushrod being cut, the Chicago Bears will need a replacement. Charles Leno is no more than a dependable backup. Haeg can step in and be a vital member of the team’s offensive line from the start.