Justin Fields will eventually become a star for the Chicago Bears. For now, however, the best player of the draft class just may be OT Teven Jenkins.
When the Chicago Bears selected Teven Jenkins in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, trading up for the second time in as many picks to do so, there was palpable excitement in the Windy City. Not only was he graded by many outlets as a first-round pick but he appeared to be the perfect prospect to shoulder the responsibility of protecting first-round pick and hopeful franchise quarterback, Justin Fields.
Sooner or later, Fields will take over as the Bears starting quarterback and become a great player in the NFL as well as the best pick of the Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft class. Right now, however, Jenkins just may be the best pick because, frankly, he’s most likely of all the draft picks to be a day one starter — unless, of course, Fields unseats Andy Dalton and ends up taking the first snaps against the Rams in Week 1.
But back to Jenkins. Yes, if a team comes out of a draft with a franchise quarterback, it can be deemed the best pick. Right now, however, with uncertainty at that position in Chicago, Jenkins is likely the best incoming rookie.
Justin Fields may overtake Teven Jenkins as the top player in the Bears’ 2021 draft class but the tackle will remain a key part of the future.
The style of football Teven Jenkins played while at Oklahoma State should be enough for Chicago fans to see that he is a special talent. A violent edge and a nastiness reminiscent of Keith Van Horne, whom Bears fans remember as the right tackle of the famed 1985 team. However, Jenkins may eventually shift to left tackle as he is quick enough to play the position.
How smoothly he transitions to his eventual role on the line, whether to stay at right tackle or move to left tackle, will depend on several factors. For one, offensive line coach Juan Castillo now has an arsenal of talent to work with as opposed to the depth issue that took place last season.
Furthermore, with James Daniels, Cody Whitehair, and Sam Mustipher likely to retain their roles on the line, where Jenkins lines up remains a question given what Germain Ifedi and Alex Bars bring to the table as offensive tackles.
When Justin Fields takes the field and becomes a star, he will go down as the best pick of this draft class. But for now, it’s Teven Jenkins who owns that crown. That’s not a bad problem to have if you have a stellar offensive tackle leading your line for the next decade-plus.