Chicago Bears: Final 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft
Pick Analysis. Offensive Lineman. 7. player. 879. Scouting Report. Clemson. Mitch Hyatt
Some might expect the Bears to pick a lineman up earlier in the draft. The perception is that the line is a question mark. Well, it isn’t. It’s been strong for a couple of seasons now. Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie were jokes when they started. Now, however, Leno is a Pro Bowl player and Massie is on his way to becoming one. Both earned themselves contract extensions.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Chicago Bears offensive line 11th overall after the 2018 season. They had their pass protection ranked second, saying the following:
"The Bears finished the season with the league’s second-best pass blocking efficiency of any offensive line, and this was yet another team without a real weak link. Rookie James Daniels ended up earning their lowest grade at 62.3 overall, but Charles Leno Jr., Bobby Massie, and Cody Whitehair were all over 70.0."
It’s about time the big boys up front start getting their dues. James Daniels moved over to guard and did a good job. Cody Whitehair was another Pro Bowl player on the line and Kyle Long was having a pretty good season until the injury bug hit again. He did return, though, and helped in the playoffs.
The Bears enter the draft without needing to find a starter. They have the starters returning and added help on the interior. They just need depth on the outside. Leno and Massie played over 85 percent of the snaps. They need to get that number down so they can be fresh late in the season and into the playoffs.
Mitch Hyatt can provide that help. The 6-5, 303-pound lineman isn’t projected to be a superstar but can be a solid backup. He is a steady player who has great football instincts. He won’t win you games but he won’t lose you games either. That is just fine for what the Bears need.
Hyatt was a four-year starter at Clemson. He was a favorite among coaches for his work ethic and leadership. Many coaches credit him with changing the culture of the Tigers’ offensive line. While he isn’t elite in any category, he has good footwork and a great understanding of what he needs to do on the field.
Hyatt would be a great fit with the Bears. He doesn’t need to be a star to succeed. He can do enough to help give the starters fresh. Additionally, his attitude and leadership qualities mesh well with the other players in the locker room.