Kyle Long Selected No. 20 by Chicago Bears

(Brian Murphy/Icon SMI) Follow every pick of the 2013 NFL draft What is this, a guard run at the draft? The Giants grabbed Syracuse's Justin Pugh at No. 19,
Kyle Long Selected No. 20 by Chicago Bears
Kyle Long Selected No. 20 by Chicago Bears /

(Brian Murphy/Icon SMI)

(Brian Murphy/Icon SMI)

Follow every pick of the 2013 NFL draft

What is this, a guard run at the draft? The Giants grabbed Syracuse's Justin Pugh at No. 19, only for the Chicago Bears to then jump in at No. 20 with versatile lineman Kyle Long.

Long, like Pugh, could give the Bears some relief just about anywhere shy of center on the offensive line. For a team that constantly tried to patch and go up front, finding a developing player capable of slotting in at multiple spots is invaluable.

Cards on the table, I had Long pegged as a second-rounder; despite his bloodlines as Howie Long's son, his resume made him a better fit there. Specifically, I'm talking about his lack of experience -- Long made just four starts in college, all at left guard for Oregon. He actually played defensive end at the JUCO level in 2010, before Oregon moved him to the other side of the football.

So, he's still learning the game and maturing, both physically and mentally. He should be able to handle at least a backup role early, but what will the timetable be on his ascension into the starting lineup?

Grade: B.


Published
Chris Burke
CHRIS BURKE

Chris Burke covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and is SI.com’s lead NFL draft expert. He joined SI in 2011 and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich.