2013 NFL Mock Draft: Lane Johnson could fix massive hole on the Bears offensive line

The consensus mock draft pick for the Chicago Bears in the first round has resided squarely on the offensive line. The Bears should be set at quarterback and running back for the near future, but they still struggle to provide running lanes and protection with a porous offensive line. That could be solved in the first round with the 20th overall pick and there are several offensive lineman that could be available.

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For Rob Rang of CBS Sports, he projects Lane Johnson, the OT from Oklahoma, as a player that could be available and would immediately find a starting job in Chicago:

The Bears' offensive line is a mess and with little hope of getting better without reinforcements. Johnson, a former quarterback, tight end and defensive lineman at the junior college level, has developed into a quality tackle over the past two seasons with the Sooners and possesses the athletic upside to eventually be the top flight NFL left tackle Jay Cutler so desperately needs. Only the fact that Johnson remains a bit raw might keep him on the board at this point, as he has the feet and length of a future Pro Bowler.

If not for Johnson's lack of experience at the position, he could go much higher in the NFL draft, but that caveat could make him available for Chicago in a potential steal. Finding a franchise left tackle is never easy, but the Bears desperately need to upgrade the position. With Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel tackling most of the attention, Johnson could slip under the radar just enough to fall to Chicago.

Guards Chance Womack and Jonathan Cooper could also be viable options for the Bears, whereas a tight end like Zach Ertz or Tyler Eifert might provide protection and catch some footballs.

We will find out during April's NFL draft.