Chicago Bears: Non-quarterbacks to aggressively trade up for

Non-QBs the Chicago Bears should trade up for: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

By now, we have read plenty about how the Bears’ offensive line improved immensely down the stretch last season. Even Russell Wilson was reportedly impressed with the Bears’ line — let’s not go down that road, though.

Although the interior played very well in the latter half of the 2020 season, Chicago still has a hole on the right side at tackle after seeing Bobby Massie’s option declined. An argument could be made that the Bears could use competition on the left side, too, for Charles Leno.

As arguably the second-best offensive tackle in the draft, Rashawn Slater could see his name called inside the top 10 picks this year. The Northwestern product is as complete a tackle as you could ask for in the top half of the draft, aside from Oregon’s Penei Sewell, of course.

https://twitter.com/BigDuke50/status/1369375494672691204

Slater is a physical, menacing player. His pro day will go down in Northwestern football history year as one of the most hyped we have ever seen, and rightfully so. This kid ran a 4.88 in his 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds. And, oh by the way, the above video shows him front squatting 425 pounds for reps — three times.

If you’re unaware, front squats are exponentially more difficult than standard squats, and slater just put up four and a quarter a few times, no problem.

The Bears should absolutely move up for Slater if they have the chance to get him. It is not the most sexy pick, of course. But, getting a decade-long starter on the offensive line is a rare opportunity.