Our 2015 offensive line rankings continue here with the NFC North. We always prefer our fantasy players be on teams with good offensive lines, even receivers – who must rely on the QB being given enough time to execute their routes. Fortunately for fans of the Black and Blue division – the offensive lines are good across the board. Out of necessity as you might expect; not too dissimilar from the Big 10 in college football.

*We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS and Football Outsiders for many of the numerical rankings for offensive linemen from 2014 outlined below

Chicago Bears

Last season, the Bears were a great run-blocking team who struggled at times in pass protection. The new regime in Chicago made some major offseason moves in the NFL Draft and free agency to bolster the unit. Underperformers Roberto Garza, Brian De La Peunte, and Eben Britton are all out of the picture.

Jermon Bushrod, LT 6’5″ 315 lbs – Graded as a decent pass blocker but a poor run blocker in 2014
Matt Slauson, LG 6’5″ 315 lbs – In limited action was fairly serviceable prior to a pectoral injury in 2014
Will Montgomery, C 6’3″ 305 lbs – Top-half-of-the-league C for DEN in 2014, who was good in WAS from ’11-’13, came to CHI w/ new HC John Fox
Kyle Long, RG 6’6″ 311 lbs – Arguably Chicago’s best offensive player in 2014, a versatile Top 10-12 OG
Jordan Mills, RT 6’5″ 316 lbs – Was poor in pass protection last year, and in all, did not perform like an NFL starter in 2014

Notes-

We can’t forget that TE Martellus Bennett is also a formidable blocker, himself- and we know Bushrod is better than he showed last season. It wouldn’t shock us if this is the year Chicago moves stud OL Kyle Long to right tackle. He’s a player we’ve absolutely loved since the first practice of the 2013 Senior Bowl. Long has always flashed the ability to play right tackle, and with the poor performance of Jordan Mills in 2014, the new brass in Chicago may have no choice but to kick him outside this season. The addition of rookie center Hroniss Grasu (6’3″ 297 lb), may make the move even more possible. He was NFL Draft Expert Mike Loyko’s #2 overall center prospect in this year’s NFL Draft. We doubt Chicago selected him in Round 3 to sit on the bench. Will Montgomery could easily slide over to guard to fill Long’s shoes and open the door for Grasu at center. Other offseason additions include size with, OG Vladimir Ducasse (6’04” 330 lbs), and sixth -ound draft pick OT Tayo Fabuluje (6’6″ 353 lbs). Ducasse is a good veteran-depth signing that should alleviate the effects of in-season attrition. While Fabuluje is a very intriguing prospect, per Mike Loyko, he’s a mountain of a man that moves well – but he missed three years of college football and is considered a work in progress. This has the look of a B+ unit in 2015 if the appropriate adjustments are made. It’s great news for all Bears skill players, including stud rookie wide receiver Kevin White who will be running vertical routes.