Ryan Poles has held a top-10 pick in each of the past three drafts. Four in total. Under such circumstances, one would hope the Chicago Bears GM is starting to assemble a legitimate foundation of front-line talent. It appears as if he's done so. Darnell Wright has developed into a quality right tackle for the team. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze both flashed immense potential as rookies last season. Now Poles has the 10th overall pick in this draft, giving him yet another opportunity to find a difference-maker.
Debates continue on who the Bears should target. Ashton Jeanty? Mike Green? Mykel Williams? Walter Nolen? Tyler Warren? There is no shortage of names. However, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz had a message for Poles. He and every other GM picking that high will regret not taking Armand Membou. Drinkwitz explained to Kay Adams that the young offensive tackle is easily one of the best players he's ever coached in two decades of work. He even knew the right buttons to push.
"If you're a team that has a franchise quarterback, the best friend of a franchise quarterback is a solid left tackle or right tackle that you know can block anybody in the NFL. Armand has given up only three sacks in 2100 snaps. If you're in the Top 10 and you have a franchise quarterback, I think you'd be absolutely crazy, if you're quarterback has been getting hit a ton, to not take Membou."
Ryan Poles wouldn't need much to fall in love with Membou.
He checks all the boxes: athletic, strong, good length, and a violent temperament. The only lingering concern is whether he can play left tackle. He spent his entire college career on the right side, so that is a mystery. Chicago doesn't need a right tackle with Wright situated there. Can he make the switch? His coach seems to think that wouldn't be an issue. Membou has the freakish athleticism to play pretty much anywhere on the line. The Bears could easily just let Braxton Jones handle starting early in the season, allowing the rookie time to acclimate to the switch.
Draft experts agree Membou is one of the best blockers in this draft. He's drawn comparisons to former Pro Bowler Duane Brown. The issue for Ryan Poles may not be whether he deserves to go 10th overall to the Bears. It is whether he will be available. Experts think there is a good chance he will be gone by that point, going to one of the line-needy teams like New England at #4 or New York at #7. If he does slip through, Poles will face a tough decision.
