Need Fits Talent with Paris Johnson Jr.

Finding the right Bears first-round draft pick comes down to choosing one who best helps quarterback Justin Fields.

Publishers for each FanNation NFL website have conducted a mock draft, making the selections for the teams they cover. The best player on the board at No. 9 was easy to determine with Fields in mind.

The Bears were the team with the fewest sacks last year so they do need defensive line help, but it's also true no quarterback in the league took more sacks than Fields. The best edge rusher, Will Anderson Jr., was gone already in this mock draft.

So the BearDigest pick for the Bears is Fields' former Ohio State teammate, tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

THE FULL FANNATION MOCK DRAFT

Determining the specific player for this task became a matter of looking at Johnson and Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski.

Taking Skoronski would be a nice story as the local boy stays home and has a short drive to Halas Hall from north suburban Park Ridge. Even the fact Skoronski's grandfather was Bob Skoronski, who blocked for Bart Starr in the Packers dynasty era, could be overlooked.

However, as much as Northwestern and local supporters would like to deny it, Skoronski's shorter (32-1/4 inch) arms do make a difference at tackle. As one of the best blockers in the nation—if not the best—Skoronski could try to start at tackle. He might be able to do it.

However, his arm length is no obstacle at all playing an NFL interior line position. He's always going to have that one obstacle to overcome as a tackle.

In the last decade, no tackle drafted with arms as short as Skoronski's has made the Pro Bowl or been named All-Pro. You would like to think the end result of drafting a tackle ninth is one who can become an All-Pro or Pro Bowl player. Expectations are higher.

If you're selecting a player at No. 9 in the draft and your need is a tackle, you take the best tackle and not a player who might be a tackle but definitely could be a guard.

Johnson is physically imposing with arms almost 4 inches longer than Skoronski's. His wing span is nearly 6 inches wider. It's easier for him to reach out and make contact with pass rushers trying to come around the edge.

Johnson is mobile, strong and athletic. He is made for the tackle position in the Bears' wide-zone blocking sheme.

Then it's up to Matt Eberflus and his staff to decide whether it's Johnson or current left tackle Braxton Jones who starts at left tackle, and who starts at right tackle.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

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