Chicago Bears Insider: Offensive Line Picks for All 6 Rounds in 2011 NFL Draft

Anyone who is a Bears fan knows that Chicago’s greatest need heading into the 2011 NFL Draft is on the offensive line and all three positions desperately need an upgrade. 

This draft is said to be pretty strong at the offensive tackle position (at the top) and there could be some good guards and centers sprinkled in the later rounds. Can the Bears find what they want at all three positions in this draft? 

The answer to that is a resounding yes.

Taking into account the Bears' needs on the offensive line and the talent that would be available at each point in the draft, let’s take a look at one player per round that could interest the Bears in the 2011 NFL Draft and fit the team well.

(Note: This is not a projection for what the Bears will do in each round of the draft but just an idea of what options are available in each round)

Round 1, Pick 29-Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

There are a lot of draft experts that feel that if Carimi is there when Chicago makes their pick at No. 29 in the first round they will take him and possibly try to make him a left tackle. Carimi is a little bit better suited as a right tackle and if the Bears find that he would be better there then there could be a problem because J’Marcus Webb isn’t too bad of a right tackle right now.

Round 2, Pick 30 (62nd Overall) Rodney Hudson-C/G-Florida State

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Rodney Hudson #62 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Hudson is an interesting prospect that could fill two needs on the team but would most likely be groomed as a future starting center. Hudson is not the ideal size for a starting guard coming in just a shade under 300 pounds at the combine so a move to center is probably a good idea.

The Bears can use a center and Hudson is definitely talented so there could be some interest in him as a second-round pick in the draft.

Round 3, Pick 29 (93rd Overall)-Clint Boling-G-Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Clint Boling #60 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If you don’t know a lot about Boling then you should read up on him because he is a prospect that could interest the Bears. Chicago needs to add some depth and eventual starting ability to their guard position (at Roberto Garza’s spot) and the nice thing about him is that he can learn without having to be thrust into the lineup right away. This would be the ideal situation for the Bears at the guard position.

Round 4, Pick 30 (126th Overall)-James Brewer-OT-Indiana

Indiana has quietly been putting out some nice offensive lineman (remember Roger Saffold) and we have another decent one in Brewer. Brewer has impressed scouts and general managers and is an intriguing selection. It’s possible that he could be ready to take over a starting tackle spot in short order and that’s exactly what the Bears would need.

Round 5, Pick 29 (157th Overall)-Zane Taylor-C-Utah

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Matt Asiata #4 and center Zane Taylor #77 of the Utah Utes celebrate Asiata's one yard touchdown run against the San Diego State Aztecs in the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, Ca

Chicago is in the market for a center this is common knowledge and with that they may want to wait a little bit and take a center in the later rounds of the draft. Taylor was a pretty nice player at the center position for the Utes and had a nice pro day recently. Could he have a future with the Bears?

Round 6, Pick 30 (190th Overall)-Derek Newton-OT-Arkansas State

The Bears may choose to add some additional depth to the offensive line and Newton could be of some interest to them. 

Newton has very nice speed and has a lot of skill for a player that is considered to be a late-round draft pick. The reason why he is not considered to be a higher pick is that he is still raw and needs to be coached in the way that an NFL tackle plays and may be slightly behind in his development when compared to some of the other tackles in the draft.