Chicago Bears key on offense early in pre-Combine 7-round 2020 mock draft
879. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. Offensive Guard. Clemson. John Simpson. 2
The Chicago Bears’ top priority should be improving the offensive line. I’m on record stating that the job isn’t as big as other people think it is but it does need to improve and depth is a concern.
I continue to bang the drum on John Simpson. The Bears need a mauler, a guy with a mean streak. That guy will replace Kyle Long, who was just that. Also, Simpson could be the leader that the line needs.
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No offense to the other players on the line but they don’t seem to be a Type-A personality like Long was. Simpson is that guy. While he is mean and wants to drive his opponent six feet under the ground, off the field he is a big teddy bear. He is jovial and engaging, and charismatic.
Over the last two seasons when the Clemson Tigers made two championship runs, Simpson was a big part of the offensive line, starting 29 of 30 games. He was a third-team All-ACC pick in his junior season and first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American in his senior season.
Simpson adds strength and physicality to the offensive line. That is something that the line lacked over the past few seasons. We haven’t seen the mauling line that we’re used to seeing from a Chicago Bears offensive line. His strength helps him blow open holes for the running game.
David Montgomery had trouble finding open holes during the 2019 season and he earned every single yard he gained. The problem was especially bad on the right side of the line where Long was injured early and missed 18 games combined.
Simpson accelerates to first contact and usually ends up with a thud. When that happens, he usually knocks the defender off-balance. As big as he is (6-4, 321 pounds), he does a good job of getting to the second level and he does a good job on screens.
If the Bears don’t go out and sign a veteran through free agency they should take Simpson and have him lead the line for years to come.