[Moreano] Q&A with offensive line expert Brandon Thorn: Who is the best offensive tackle for the Bears in the 2023 Draft?
April 3, 2023
Really good piece where Moreano from CHGO got to ask Brandon Thorn (one of the best OL evaluators who works a ton w/ prospects and players in the NFL) what he thought about drafting a T, and also got his thoughts on Braxton Jones.
5 comments
Darnell Wright
If we wanted to focus the 1-64 pick on OL and DL only. I think #9 being PJJ makes sense assuming say everything high value is off board. Then #53 being an Edge that remains, #61 one of the 3 centers and #64 being Mauch out of NDSU would round out a solid OL. Starting 3 rookies is risky, but could definitely payoff since PJJ and Mauch can move around on the line.
Thorn’s comments on Braxton Jones are really interesting.
Most of this sub believes Jones issues at LT to be correctable, mainly thinking he struggles with power and needs time in the NFL to build up his strength. However, Thorn likes his play strength, and believes his technique is the main issue, and he’s not certain if it’s correctable saying
> there is kind of a fatal flaw in his pass protection that is going to be tough to overcome
Jones and Jenkins are pretty close (think of Jenkins consoling Jones after his bad game the Lions), they’ve been training together in the offseason. Could possibly see Jones moved to RT to continue to build his chemistry with Jenkins while also hiding some of his flaws as a pass protector. Would free them up to take a LT in the draft to put besides Nate Davis.
All this suggests to me is that Poles will take a cornerback or trade down. If Thorn’s evaluation of PJJ is really a mid to late first round pick, Poles won’t want to take him with #9.
Interesting that he even gave PJJ a late first round grade. I’m hoping we ultimately trade back for Wright or Harrison.
5 comments
Darnell Wright
If we wanted to focus the 1-64 pick on OL and DL only. I think #9 being PJJ makes sense assuming say everything high value is off board. Then #53 being an Edge that remains, #61 one of the 3 centers and #64 being Mauch out of NDSU would round out a solid OL. Starting 3 rookies is risky, but could definitely payoff since PJJ and Mauch can move around on the line.
Thorn’s comments on Braxton Jones are really interesting.
Most of this sub believes Jones issues at LT to be correctable, mainly thinking he struggles with power and needs time in the NFL to build up his strength. However, Thorn likes his play strength, and believes his technique is the main issue, and he’s not certain if it’s correctable saying
> there is kind of a fatal flaw in his pass protection that is going to be tough to overcome
Jones and Jenkins are pretty close (think of Jenkins consoling Jones after his bad game the Lions), they’ve been training together in the offseason. Could possibly see Jones moved to RT to continue to build his chemistry with Jenkins while also hiding some of his flaws as a pass protector. Would free them up to take a LT in the draft to put besides Nate Davis.
All this suggests to me is that Poles will take a cornerback or trade down. If Thorn’s evaluation of PJJ is really a mid to late first round pick, Poles won’t want to take him with #9.
Interesting that he even gave PJJ a late first round grade. I’m hoping we ultimately trade back for Wright or Harrison.