You would think with the additions of Frank Omiyale, Orlando Pace and Kevin Shaffer that the Chicago Bears would not be thinking about getting younger on the offensive line. Given the limited number of draft picks the needs at CB, WR, S, SAM LB, DE, that the Bears would be out of the O-Line draft scouting. That line of thought in not really accurate and to prove it the Bears recently scouted a little known offensive tackle from Eastern Michigan.
TJ Lang is a 6-foot-4 316-pound tackle prospect who moved over to the offensive line from the defensive line. Lang is not one of the top prospects in the draft mind you but he is a prospect that has worked his way up draft boards recently. Lang was not invited to the NFL Combine but he has earned enough respect 22 scouts showed up for his pro day workout. His stock is on the rise and he has ability that measures out well for potential success on the next level.
His positives as a prospect include playing the OT position like a defensive guy. A converted defensive tackle Lang plays with a mean streak and loves to be tough nasty and physical. He is your typical blue collar lineman that initially caught Angelo’s attention at the little known Texas versus the nation All-Star game. Lang also offers a level of versatility in that he could end up playing guard at the next level, his more natural projection is as a guard. Lang is the type of player that works well in limited space as he is not known for being the prototype OT with athleticism and balance.
Some of the aspects that may cause teams to shy away from Lang is his lack of athleticism and some say his lack of ideal size. He may be a bit of a tweener and at times has trouble sustaining his blocks. He has short arms which is why he better projects as a guard.
Some draft boards have him rated as high as a third round prospect but given his lack of an invite to the NFL scouting combine I think it’s likely he’ll fall past the third round as it’s rare that a non-combine invitee is taken as high as the third round. Know this however in the case of TJ Lang he has earned respect and the attention of Jerry Angelo himself.
Given Lang’s invite for a private workout it seems likely that if he has value to some as high as a third round prospect, but he slides into the later due to lack of recognition and exposure he could have some real sleep value in rounds four and five.
Monsters of the Midway Illustrated 