Chicago Bears: Why Dalton Risner is a ‘must draft’ prospect

In need of offensive linemen, the Chicago Bears would be wise to invest in Dalton Risner.

If you are a Chicago Bears fan and have been following free agency this offseason, you’ve likely noticed the emphasis placed on offensive linemen. Just within the last week or so, left tackle Trenton Brown signed a 4 year/$66 million deal with the Oakland Raiders, while right tackle Ja’Wuan James inked a 4 year deal with the Denver Broncos worth $51 million.

In fact, according to Spotrac, there were two other contracts for offensive linemen worth more than $40 million. These are massive deals for offensive linemen, who while good, were probably overpaid a bit. However, that’s what happens when there is a premium placed on a particular position, and the list of available options is scant.

Fortunately for Bears fans, Ryan Pace recognized early the need to lock-down his offensive line. Prior to the start of last season, he re-signed left tackle Charles Leno to a 4 year/$37 million deal. Then, back in January, he extended right tackle Bobby Massie with a 4 year/$30 million deal.

While the offensive line seems set for next season, those fortunes could change in an instant. All it takes is an injury, and the team will have to reshuffle the line. Moreover, Pace doesn’t want to be in a position where he has to overpay for an offensive lineman in a future offseason. To that end, it would be smart of the team to draft an offensive lineman this year, and Kansas State University’s Dalton Risner would be an ideal selection. In fact, perhaps there is no better fit for this team, especially from a culture standpoint.

While it is unlikely Risner will be available when the Bears make their first selection, Pace has a history of being aggressive when he identifies his ‘guy.’ Even with the Bears’ limited draft capital, Risner is worth trading up for — that’s how good he is.