Scouting Combine Clearly Shows Ryan Poles' O-Line Preferences

Nothing is guaranteed, but most Chicago Bears fans would be stunned if the team doesn't draft an offensive lineman early this year. The unit was atrocious in 2022, allowing 55 sacks. GM Ryan Poles figures to attack the problem from multiple angles, starting with free agency next month. While he may not use the 1st round pick on the position group, it's a safe bet he'll save either the 2nd or 3rd round to go after it. There should be plenty of options that can contribute right away.

That is where the scouting combine comes in. Like any other GM, Poles has certain prototypes he looks for in prospects from position to position. The offensive line is no different. The combine is the best source out there when it comes to measuring size, strength, and speed. I decided to look back at his track record at the position since his time as an executive with Kansas City all the way through his first year in Chicago. One thing that stood out immediately was the size dimensions.

Lineman had to be around 6'4 to 6'7 and weigh no more than 315 lbs.

Braxton Jones and Ja'Tyre Carter, the only Bears picks to play in 2022, fit those criteria. Another interesting note was the short shuttle times. The higher draft picks (1st-3rd rounds) hovered between 4.5 and 4.44 seconds. The drill measures short-area quickness, lateral movement, flexibility, and the speed at which a player can change directions. Poles did mention how much he values quickness and mobility. Only seven of 41 linemen had times in that range last year. Four of them went in the first three rounds.

This makes it easy to predict Ryan Poles' motives.

Forget the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump, or the broad jump. Those events seem to have no direct impact on the Bears GM's offensive line decision. The things to watch are the height, weight, length, and short shuttle. It also won't hurt if they throw up at least 25 reps on the bench press. If a player is between 6'4 and 6'7, weighs between 300-315 lbs, and runs the shuttle in 4.5 seconds or less, then it's a reasonable assumption he will be high on the Bears' draft board come April.

That should make things more exciting once the draft rolls around. We will have a short list of names Ryan Poles will target in the first three rounds. This is where digging into the data can be fun. It uncovers specific trends that make the draft easier to project since most GMs rarely venture outside their prototypes.