To Avoid Fumbling Another First Round Pick, the Bears Should Take a Lineman

Cedric Benson. Rex Grossman. David Terrell. Cade McNown. Curtis Enis.

Who are five men who have never been in my kitchen?

Yes, but also five reasons why the Bears should absolutely be looking at the best available offensive lineman when the 14th pick of the first round rolls around. Those five picks represent five times the Bears thought they were getting a dynamic player that would lead their offense to new heights and five times they found themselves, shortly thereafter, back at square one. Not that the Bears were the only team to get burnt over the years, of course, but how many times do you need to learn the same lesson before you do something different?

In the FanHouse Mock Draft, we suggested that the Bears pick up tackle Jeff Otah because he'd be a steadying influence on an offense that needs it. A recent study backs that up. Dan Pompei took a look at the last 10 years of the NFL Draft and found that when you're looking for a safe and solid return on your investment, offensive line is the place to go.

An incredible 90 percent of the 41 linemen taken in the first round over the last 10 years have become solid starters. In an era when first-round gambles can haunt a franchise for years, there simply is no safer pick than an offensive lineman.

There's one caveat. While only half the first-round running backs have been solid starters, a higher percentage of them made the Pro Bowl than any other position. That's the very definition of boom or bust and for a different team it might represent an acceptable risk.

The Bears, though, can't afford another swing and a miss. Their offense isn't going to be a world-beater under any circumstances next season but they can rise to a level of competence that will allow them to return to the playoffs. A strong defense and Devin Hester returning kicks covers many sins but there's a limit. Picking another bust would reach it, which is why the Bears should go for the lineman.