The Chicago Bears selected four offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL draft, an indication that general manager Ryan Poles is looking to shore up what was one of the offense’s biggest weaknesses last year.
Chicago added all four offensive linemen — mostly interior guys — on Day 3 of the draft: Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones, San Diego State’s Zach Thomas, Illinois’ Doug Kramer and Southern’s Ja’Tyre Carter.
While most are developmental prospects at this point, there was an obvious focus on building the offensive line in the draft, which makes sense given that quarterback Justin Fields was among the most-sacked quarterbacks last season.
Following the addition of four offensive linemen during the draft, here’s a look at the Bears’ offensive line depth:
Cody Whitehair
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Cody Whitehair is coming off arguably his worst season with the Bears, but he’s still been a solid offensive lineman since being drafted by Chicago in 2016. Whitehair has played primarily left guard, although he’s also spent time at center. With the addition of Lucas Patrick, it seems a safe bet for Whitehair to remain at left guard.
Teven Jenkins
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Teven Jenkins missed most of his rookie season after back surgery during training camp. When he did return, he saw limited action at left tackle, including two starts. During voluntary minicamp, Jenkins saw time at right tackle, which could indicate a move this season.
Larry Borom
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Larry Borom got his first starting opportunity at right tackle in Week 8, replacing an injured Germain Ifedi, and he was an immediate upgrade. He held his own against some of the best pass rushers and showed versatility playing both right and left tackle. Borom saw action at left tackle during voluntary minicamp, which could mean Chicago will have a new left tackle this year.
Lucas Patrick
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Lucas Patrick comes to Chicago with experience playing in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system. He’s a versatile interior lineman who’s played three different positions — left guard, center and right guard. Patrick revealed that he was brought in to serve as the center, which gives Justin Fields someone with experience snapping him the ball.
Julién Davenport
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Julién Davenport reunites with Matt Eberflus in Chicago after spending last year with the Colts. He appeared in nine games, including four starts. Davenport, a former fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, spent the 2018 season as the starting left tackle for the Texans. He was later dealt to the Dolphins as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade. Davenport projects as a potential swing tackle for the Bears.
Sam Mustipher
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The Bears tendered Sam Mustipher as an exclusive rights free agent earlier this offseason, but it’s not likely in a starting role. Mustipher started 17 games at center for Chicago last season, but he was a liability on the offensive line. At this point, Mustipher projects to serve as a reserve behind Patrick at center.
Dakota Dozier
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Dakota Dozier arrives to the Bears after having spent most of last season on the Vikings’ practice squad. But he was a full-time starter in Minnesota in 2020, and his Pro Football Focus grades haven’t been favorable. At this point, Dozier appears to be a depth piece on the offensive line.
Braxton Jones
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Braxton Jones, the first offensive lineman selected by Chicago in the draft, is also the only player who projects as a tackle at the NFL level. Jones has experience playing both left and right tackle at the collegiate level, but he spent most of his time on the right side. Depending on how things shake out this summer, Jones certainly as an opportunity to push for playing time as a rookie. But he has the tools to become a starter down the road.
Zach Thomas
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Zach Thomas is a versatile offensive lineman with experience playing three different positions during his time at San Diego State. While Thomas has played primarily right tackle (17 games) and left tackle (12), he started out as a guard. Thomas projects to serve as a guard at the NFL level, where there’s currently a vacant right guard spot up for grabs.
Doug Kramer
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Doug Kramer is a homegrown product, growing up in Hinsdale, a western suburb of Chicago, and playing football at Illinois. Kramer is the lone center taken in the draft, where he’s a developmental prospect behind starter Lucas Patrick. But he also has experience playing guard. Perhaps Kramer will develop into a future starting center for the Bears.
Ja'Tyre Carter
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Ja’Tyre Carter is one of the more intriguing prospects coming out of the draft for the Bears. He was a four-year starter during his time at Southern, where he made 37 starts at left tackle. But he projects to kick inside to guard at the NFL level. We’ll see if Carter can develop into a starter down the line. But for now, he’s good depth at both guard and tackle for Chicago.
Lachavious Simmons
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Lachavious Simmons, a former seventh-round pick, also was tendered by the Bears as an exclusive rights free agent not long ago. He played in two games in 2021, including one start, at right tackle. Simmons doesn’t factor into the starting line-up and will serve as depth at tackle.
Dieter Eiselen
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Dieter Eiselen, who signed a reserve/future contract earlier this offseason, has played in just three NFL games. He spent most of the last two seasons on the Bears’ practice squad. The 25-year-old is projected to have the same fate this season.
Willie Wright
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The Bears signed Willie Wright to a reserve/future contract earlier this offseason. Wright previously spent time with the Falcons on their practice squad. He figures to have a chance at earning a spot on the practice squad.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
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Tyrone Wheatley spent most of the 2021 season on the Bears’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Chicago earlier this offseason. Wheatley will likely serve as depth on the practice squad in 2022.
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