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Chicago Bears Daily 2017 NFL Draft Prospect: Western Kentucky Offensive Lineman Forrest Lamp

By Luis Felipe Saccini

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Kentuckey offensive lineman Forrest Lamp speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Western Kentuckey offensive lineman Forrest Lamp speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Continuing to check in on possible 2017 NFL Draft targets for the Chicago Bears with a look at Western Kentucky Offensive Lineman Forrest Lamp.

The 2017 NFL Draft is an extremely important event for the rebuilding Chicago Bears. With that in mind, we are looking at a possible target for the team every day up until the draft.

There are always good prospects in the draft that are overlooked because they do not seem to be a fit for a team or they play in a position that is a strong point of the team. That’s the case with Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp.

Lamp played all his college career as a tackle for the Hilltoppers, and he did a great of protecting his quarterback. If you look at his tape against an Alabama defense loaded with NFL talent, you will come away impressed. Lamp pushes guys like Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson like it is nothing and made them look like just average players.

That is something that you look for a guy that could be a great left tackle protecting the blind side of NFL quarterbacks, but unfortunately for Lamp, he has size problems to be a tackle in the NFL. Most notably, his arm length is an issue, especially compared to other prospects. Lamp’s arms measure at 32 ¼”. Garett Bolles measures 34” while Cam Robinson is at 35″.

So, a move to the inside as a guard or a center will be the best thing for his game. Lamp has the ball skills to become a player like Dallas Cowboys Zack Martin. Martin was also a tackle that transitioned to guard when turned pro. Guard is not a position of need for the Chicago Bears, but they would not say no to a Martin caliber of player.

Adding Lamp to the mix would mean that Kyle Long would need to play at tackle, that could be a good thing when you put it on the paper. Long as the left tackle, Lamp as the left guard, Cody Whitehair as the center, Josh Sitton as the right guard and Charles Leno as the right tackle has the makings of an elite offensive line.

That would be a great line to new quarterback Mike Glennon play with confidence that the rush will not get to him easily. An offensive line like that obviously helps Jordan Howard and the running game as well.

Next: Bears Complete Seven-Round 2017 NFL Mock Draft

Lamp’s name wouldn’t be in play with the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he could be a great target for the second round or for a trade up in the end of the first. That may not be likely if you look at the Chicago Bears’ needs going into the draft. However, drafting talent over need is always the preferred option.

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