Lake Forest, Ill.– As the 2022 NFL Draft draws closer for the Chicago Bears, first-year general manager Ryan Poles could look to overhaul the offensive line, despite some young talent such as Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins already on the roster. One name to watch as a possible option for Chicago in round two is Ohio State offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere.
Listed at 6-foot-5, and 315 pounds, Petit-Frere has played in 22 games since arriving on campus in 2018. In 2020, Petit-Frere won Ohio State’s starting job at right tackle, solidifying himself as one of the faces of the Buckeyes’ offensive line.
With NFL Draft preparation in full swing across the NFL, Petit-Frere could be an underrated add for the Bears come April. Let’s breakdown Petit-Frere in our scouting report.
The Good:
– What’s noticeable about Petit-Frere from the very start is his experience as a stater. We mentioned earlier that Petit-Frere has started 22 games since joining the Buckeyes program. What also sticks out regarding Petit-Frere is that he’s played both left and right tackle throughout college. This additional versatility should be appealing to teams looking to overhaul the offensive line this offseason.
– Petit-Frere’s measurables are what make him such an appealing prospect. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds with 33.5-inch arms, Petit-Frere’s long arms are what will enable him to become a solid left tackle at the next level. This plays directly into another one of his strengths, which is great hand technique.
– Over the last three seasons, the growth that Petit-Frere has showcased on the field has been noticeable. Essentially, he’s become one of the many faces of the Buckeyes’ offensive line that also included 2021 NFL Draft picks Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis.
– Anchor ability is an important trait for offensive lineman and Petit-Frere excels in this area. Rarely does he allow defensive lineman and edge rushers to push him back but he’s also capable of resetting when needed.
– The versatility that Petit-Frere has shown over the last few years makes him a lock to start from day one in the NFL. It’s easy to envision him being successful regardless of the scheme while also being able to play inside if needed.
The Bad:
– There are times where it appears that Petit-Frere isn’t fully tuned into the game but these instances seemed to be very rare over the last few years.
– Petit-Frere is solid at the point of attack but there are instances where he takes poor angles, which can lead to plays being blown up before they actually are given a chance to develop.
– There are times where there appear to be some lapses in his game from a technical standpoint, something that popped up on tape a few times throughout the duration of his career at Ohio State.
Overall Thoughts:
It’s hard to find any weaknesses in Petit-Frere’s game. Compared to top OT prospects such as Evan Neal (Alabama) or Charles Cross (Mississippi State), Petit-Frere isn’t as athletic or powerful but the level of consistency he played with in college is noticeable and should make him a day one starter in the NFL.
As Chicago looks to overhaul the offensive line, Petit-Frere could certainly make sense with the 39th overall pick as a player who could play both left and right tackle. While Chicago does have 2021 NFL Draft picks Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom on the roster, adding Petit-Fere not only sets the stage for a solid offensive line for years to come, it would also give Chicago an opportunity to shuffle the OL, moving veteran Cody Whitehair to center while Jenkins occupies right tackle and Borom moves inside to right tackle. That would leave Petit-Frere as the Bears left tackle of the future.