The Bears may have found a gem amongst other teams cuts. The Bears signed six players off waivers today including lineman Alex Leatherwood. Let me tell you why they may have found a gem in Leatherwood.
Leatherwood in College
Alex Leatherwood went to Alabama where he was a star at numerous spots on the offensive line. His sophomore more year he played right guard, where he won the Outland award. That goes to the nations best interior lineman. His final season at Alabama he played well at left tackle helping the Crimson tide win a national title. He played well enough to be the number one pick of the Raiders in 2021. Number 17 overall. It’s not everyday you find a first round pick in his second year and healthy on the waiver wire. The Bears seem to think so as well. So why did the Raiders cut Leatherwood?
Trouble in Sin City
The Las Vegas Raiders cut Leatherwood after just one full season. They claim he was that bad. Plain and simple. How do you misevaluate a first round pick so badly you are ready to give up on after one year? According to people with inside knowledge the Raiders miss managed him. Despite playing well at the position in college he’s not comfortable playing on the right side of the line. Some players can switch sides of the line with no problem. Others struggle and Leatherwood seems to be one of them. There is a big difference from having your right hand on the ground pre snap from having your left hand on the ground. Due to line shuffles the Raiders were forced to play him on the right where he struggled.
Fresh start for Leatherwood
The Bears pick up Alex Leatherwood’s 4 year 14.3 million dollar contract. To be honest I don’t know what there plans are with him yet. I’m not even sure they know. The Bears have there own line shuffling going on but it cat hurt to add young talent. He will start the season as a backup, most likely to a few spots on the line. If he does play the right side at all hopefully he gets a chance to get more acclimated. Rieff and Schofield are most likely here for one season so I’m sure the Bears are thinking Leatherwood can be a future starter. The Bears currently have to young tackles in Borom.and Braxton who have played great. Though Borom is slowly tapering off. Jenkins has finally shown up and may be your future right guard and left guard Cody Whitehair is your best lineman. Only time will tell where Leatherwood fits in this mess.
Side note Armon Watts
The Bears also signed Armon Watts today. The 6-5 307 pound defensive lineman is another one to watch for. As a 6th round pick of the Vikings in 2019 he doesn’t have the same pedigree as Leatherwood, but still has a huge upside. I look for him to get playing time immediately.