Bears

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Offensive line help still needed in Chicago

The Bears improved their offensive line this week with the signing of Jermon Bushrod, but Chicago still needs help in the trenches.

By Jack Cassidy Mar 13, 2013, 8:18pm CDT

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In weeks past, the Chicago Bears were declared weak at the tight end position and incredibly lacking on the offensive line. Since then, they've signed tight end Marcellus Bennett and offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod.

Are those two signings enough for the Bears to look at other positions in the upcoming draft? At the tight end position, the answer is likely yes. Bennett is a solid tight end and gives the Bears a huge improvement at the position. With him, other positions become bigger needs.

On the offensive line, however, the answer is no. Bushrod is a solid signing, praised by some and criticized by others. But he could be the greatest offensive tackle to ever play the game and the Bears would still need help. The line in 2012 was that bad.

Josh Norris of NFL.com agrees. In his latest mock draft, he projects the Chicago Bears to select Alabama offensive guard Chance Warmack at No. 20.

The Bears just spent a lot of money on free-agent left tackle Jermon Bushrod, but Warmack would solidify one spot along the interior.

Put simply, Bushrod isn't enough. With the weapons Chicago has in Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte, quarterback Jay Cutler will need as much time in the pocket as possible, or at least more than he has been getting.

Dan Kadar of SB Nation's Mocking the Draft wrote about the signing of Bushrod following Wednesday's free agent frenzy.

The Bears got ripped by stats enthusiasts for signing left tackle Jermon Bushrod to a big-money deal. But they must believe he can be the left tackle of the foreseeable future. It could be argued that there was no bigger need in the whole league than offensive line for Chicago.