Tyler Smith Has Become Heavy Favorite To Land With Bears

The Chicago Bears are one of the hardest teams to get a clear picture of going into the NFL draft. Two reasons explain why. One is having no 1st round pick. They don't go on the clock until the 39th overall selection in the 2nd round. The other is having a new GM in Ryan Poles. That makes the team a significant wild card. It feels like they could go in almost any direction. Yet one thing has remained constant of late. Tyler Smith keeps getting projected to them. For those who aren't draftniks like some fans, Smith is the left tackle for Tulsa. He put together a strong college career and displays plenty of physical tools that make him easy to like. Where it gets interesting is how many notable people see him landing in Chicago. ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid conducted a complete seven-round mock draft and had Smith going to them with the 39th pick. Just days later, his more well-known colleague Mel Kiper did the same thing, projected the Bears pull the trigger with their 48th pick.

When reading his scouting reports, it's not hard to see why.

"He is a big left tackle who plays with an edge and flashes the ability to bury defenders in the run game. He leans and falls off some blocks. He has the length, size and foot speed to develop into an effective blindside pass-blocker who can hold his own on an island in most matchups in the NFL. He must get better with his hands in both the run game and in pass pro, and he's frequently late with his punch, wide with his hands and too slow to re-wrap. He gives too much ground to speed to power."

Poles hasn't shied away from admitting his desire to makeover the Bears offensive line. He felt the unit was way too passive in 2021 and not nearly up to his standards. Giving up 58 sacks and lacking any sort of aggression can do that. His goal entering this offseason was to add more attitude and violence. He wants tone-setters, or "pricks" as he called them. That was a key reason the team signed veteran Lucas Patrick to become their new center. Smith fits that profile to perfection. When it comes to the 2022 draft class, he is among the most notorious when it comes to violence. He isn't afraid to play through the whistle and loves giving defenders a little extra at every opportunity. He operates as if a street brawl is about to break out at any moment. It isn't hard to imagine Poles loving the idea of having somebody like that protecting Justin Fields' blindside.

Tyler Smith is a perfect challenge for Chris Morgan.

Talent isn't a problem here. The left tackle is big, strong, and athletic. His hard-nosed mentality proves his passion for the game as well. Most experts like Reid and Kiper say the same thing. He needs work from a technical standpoint. The hand-fighting, footwork, and overall blocking discipline need refinement. That is something that gets corrected with better coaching. Enter new Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan. He is no stranger to working with young left tackles. In 2010 he helped turn rookie Jared Veldheer into a viable starter for the Oakland Raiders. Then with the Atlanta Falcons, he turned 1st round pick Jake Matthews into a Pro Bowler. So Tyler Smith wouldn't be his first rodeo at that position. He's gotten more out of less in previous years.

As always, it comes down to how the draft falls.

While experts believe the Tulsa standout will be available when the Bears pick later this month, they can't be sure. It only takes one team to fall in love with him, and less talented players have gone much higher in previous years. There is no question he fits what Poles is looking for. It depends on who else might be available when Chicago goes on the clock.