Chicago Bears: 5 Offensive linemen targets in 2019 NFL Draft

Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama (6-3, 305 pounds)

The Chicago Bears are trying to establish a winning tradition again. In order to do that you have to build with some players who come from winning programs. Things are run differently with winning programs. Of course, it isn’t a guarantee, but players from winning programs play differently and have a different air about them.

Ross Pierschbacher redshirted in 2014. After that, he played in four consecutive National Championship Games. He is believed to be the first player to do that. He’s played in many big games in his 57 starts at Alabama.

Pierschbacher played guard his first three seasons. In 2018, he moved over to center and did a good job. That adds flexibility to an offense.

Pierschbacher’s run blocking is excellent. On pulls, he explodes out of his stance. He uses good hand placement to lock onto a defender and stays low to gain leverage. He does a good job of sealing off lanes with good body positioning. Also, he has a good base and almost never finds himself on the ground.

While Pierschbacher has a good base, he has a tendency to stand upright In pass protection, allowing his man to gain control.

During his week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Pierschbacher’s experience showed. He didn’t let the experience overwhelm him, even though he knew this (along with the NFL Combine) was going to be big for his draft stock, per TideSports.com:

"It’s a big job interview. The second you get off the plane, you’re being watched whether you know it or not. Big job interview. You have to be professional. That’s what they’re looking for, guys that are professional and want to go to work and love to play football… I came here to compete against the best. There are some guys who didn’t choose to come here and compete, but I wanted to be here and show what kind of player I am."

Having Pierschbacher would be a plus for the Chicago Bears. He might not be a starter right away but he could provide good depth and eventually fight for a starting spot down the road. It worked for James Daniels.