Chicago Bears bank on Mac Jones in 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft
Notre Dame. Liam Eichenberg. 52. player. 819. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive Tackle
If the Chicago Bears are in on the Watson sweepstakes, this pick won’t be theirs. However, they may decide that the price tag for Watson is too high. If that happens, then they’ll hit free agency to find someone not as good as Watson but a quarterback who fits the system and can help.
In order to do that, the Bears need to free up some salary cap space. Also, they need to shore up the offensive line to help whoever is under center. The interior line did well once the coaching staff found the right mix. Cody Whitehair at left guard, Sam Mustipher at center, and Alex Bars at right guard all did a good job. Bars likely end up as a backup when James Daniels returns from his pectoral tear. That adds good depth.
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That leaves the two tackle spots. Charles Leno and Bobby Massie were the starters. Leno played the entire season but had his struggles again. Massie did a good job when he was there but he missed eight games.
By replacing one or both of the tackles the Bears get to solve both of their problems. If they cut Leno (June 1 designation) they save $9 million. If they cut Massie, they save $8 million.
Notre Dame has had success lately with their offensive linemen. The Bears have two of them in Mustipher and Bars and are happy with them. They can add another by drafting 6-6, 305-pound Liam Eichenberg.
Eichenberg is a player who is NFL-ready right from the start. He isn’t the quickest lineman but he uses great technique and footwork to get the job done.
One of the problems through most of the season for the offensive line was run blocking. Running back David Montgomery struggled through most of the season before hitting his stride when the line did as well. Eichenberg will seal the edge and allow Montgomery to get good runs to the outside.
Even though he is better at run blocking, he isn’t a slouch at pass protection. He is smooth there and as I mentioned, his fundamentals and his footwork help him.
Eichenberg is an anchor on the edge. He has a good punch he uses to keep defenders off-balance. He’d be a good addition who will solidify the offensive line.