This week, DBB is trying something new. Instead of just filling your screen with mindless mock drafts, wherein we guess what teams are going to do this week, all three of our writers are going to single out a player they love, specifically for the Bears, in this draft class. (In my case, because I own the site, I’m getting two!)
Today, we start with Darian Kinnard.
Video.
Lance Zierlein.
From his draft profile on NFL.com:
Three-year starter at right tackle with a right guard projection, Kinnard possesses a frame that is very girthy but well proportioned. He’s not a bad athlete but faces limitations with lateral and recovery movements. A transition inside should allow for more advantageous positioning as both a drive blocker and in pass protection. Kinnard is an all-day mauler relying heavily upon a nasty demeanor and physical advantages to overwhelm opponents. However, he could see a substantial downturn in success rate at the pro level unless he spends more time and energy improving his hand usage, footwork and overall technique.
Tweet.
Darian Kinnard is a damn legend
He chose to come back for one final year to play left tackle. When Dare became available, he welcomed him with open arms and moved back to right tackle because it was the best move #ForTheTeam. pic.twitter.com/cOdCQOp2Pi
— Mark Stoops Burner (@BBN_Commenter) January 2, 2022
Thoughts.
- The Bears need toughness in the middle of their offensive line – something they’ve lacked in recent years. Whitehair has been a good player. Daniels was okay. But neither plays/played with a mean streak. Kinnard is ALL mean streak. (This lack of toughness greatly upset Poles in his initial student of the offensive line.)
- The flaws in Kinnard’s game – lateral movement, footwork, etc. – will be severely mitigated by a move inside. He doesn’t profile as a tackle in the NFL but his experience there in college will give the team that drafts him significant versatility.
- Eberflus is coming from the run-first/run-always Colts and hired an offensive coordinator who’ll operate the run-dominant Shanahan offense. The Bears are going to be ABOUT their run game. (And that, more than anything else, will help the young quarterback get comfortable and get better.)
- Seems like most project Kinnard in the third round, and that’s about where I think teams should target these types of players. It’s all a guess from that point on, so find guys with good experience, at high levels. If they’ve done it before, it’s likely they can do it again. And with Kinnard, you’re banking on his attitude winning the day.
