Report: Bears will be at 2023 Ohio State Pro Day; could be scouting massive offensive tackle

Ohio State Players the Bears will scout

Many quarterback-needy teams will also be there to check out C.J. Stroud. Now that the Chicago Bears have dealt the first pick to the Carolina Panthers, Stroud won’t be on their radar. The Bears will have a few players that should be available when the Bears pick at the overall nine spot or in later rounds. Quarterback Justin Fields has said Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be his first choice in the draft. He’ll be someone to keep an eye out at the Pro Day, but Poles and Eberflus will likely be checking out offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. as their potential top selection.

The Bears chose not to overspend on premium positions in free agency this offseason. Poles wants to build in the trenches using the draft, and Johnson would be the perfect candidate for the offensive line. According to Lance Zierlein’s draft profile of Johnson, Johnson is better suited for a zone scheme like the one the Bears run:

Long, athletic tackle in need of additional technique work but possessing the traits to become a long-time starter on the left side. Johnson is still filling out his frame and he should get stronger. He’s much better as a move blocker than man blocker but he can bridge that gap with more coaching. He’s loose and quick in pass protection but will need to add core strength and get better with inside hands to prevent edge defenders from bypassing his anchor. Johnson’s athletic tools and position versatility are advantageous but the going could be a little bumpy early on before he settles in.

Johnson would fit what the Bears need for their offensive line. The scheme should have no issues, as Fields and Johnson played the same outside zone scheme at Ohio State. Johnson and Smith-Njigba aren’t the only players the Bears should look at. Past the draft’s first round, the Buckeyes have other options in the trenches.

• Defensive End Zach Harrison
• Offensive Tackle Dawand Jones
• Center Luke Wypler