Only One O-Lineman Met Every Ryan Poles Criteria At The Combine

Ryan Poles is a former offensive lineman. He knows the position better than most NFL general managers would. It isn’t a surprise he is likely to focus on fixing that area of the roster this off-season. The Chicago Bears finally have the resources to do so. It is about finding the right players that fit his profile. Poles has said he wants guys that are athletic, quick, and violent. I decided to dig deeper to see if there are more specific parameters, even going back to his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

I came away with some interesting notes. When it came to early round picks, Poles’ teams were consistent in three areas. The linemen were at least 6’4. They didn’t weigh more than 315 lbs. Last but not least, their short shuttle time at the combine was 4.5 seconds or less. The drill is known for measuring quickness, lateral movement, flexibility, and the speed at which a player can change directions. It’s a fairly consistent drill that determines future NFL starters with surprising accuracy.

Jason Kelce, Nick Mangold, Jake Matthews, Max Unger, and Joel Bitonio are some notable names that crossed that threshold. Based on the numbers coming out of Indianapolis this year, only one checked the box in all three of Poles’ categories.

UCLA guard Jon Gaines II.

Ryan Poles will see Gaines as a perfect fit.

The kid is 6’4 and 303 lbs. He’s known for being an excellent athlete, working well in space as a run blocker. Those are ideal traits for a zone-blocking offensive lineman, which the Bears need for their system. He’s also widely lauded for his intelligence. That would help explain why he played tackle, guard, and center during his time with the Bruins. That versatility only enhances his value. What many aren’t sure about is his pass protection. There were games where it was really good, and others where suffered several lapses in his technique.

What adds even more to Gaines’ value to the Bears is he has experience blocking for a mobile quarterback. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been one of the biggest dual-threat QBs in the country over the past two years. Gaines understood the responsibilities of how to block for somebody prone to scrambling. Justin Fields would be nothing foreign to him. Current projections have Gaines going somewhere on Day 3 of the draft. Ryan Poles has plenty of picks in that range. Don’t be surprised if he saves one for this kid.