The Bears obviously need an upgrade at Center. I don’t really follow O-line players. Who are going to be the best free agents or draft prospects at the C?
I think this is a position (like safety) we sign a solid veteran player on a 2 year deal we can get out of after 1 and draft a guy in the 3rd or 4th.
For veterans I think Connor Williams, Cushenberry, Biadaaz, or Evan Brown make sense.
Out of that list I’d say Evan Brown fits Poles previous tendencies the best, elite athlete has played well at C and both guard spots, more of a 2nd wave type guy
For centers there are 2 -3 who should go in the mid 2nd to mid 4th range, so I imagine we’d also take a guy there.
Sedrick Van Pran-Georgia is the top rated Center in the Draft. I also like Zack Frazier-WVU. Van Pran is projected as an early/mid 2nd Rounder, Frazier is projected in the 3rd. Both would be solid options if Center is addressed in the Draft.
I thought Jackson Powers-Johnson was the best rated. At least highest graded center in college coming in the draft this year.
JPJ of Oregon looks like a guy who will play 10+ years in the NFL and fill a big need for the Bears. MHJ, Edge, and JPJ would be a good start to the draft if they are giving Fields another look in 2024.
No one was talking about him before the season started. He has recently jumped to the #1 center for PFF and a few others.
Dont you know how this works?
You can’t draft a rookie Center because rookie Centers always struggle.
You can’t sign a Free Agent Center because all the teams that draft good rookie Centers will never let them hit the market.
Graham Barton or Van Pran in the draft
Cushenberry is having a borderline all pro season at center his contracts up at the end of the season
Doubt they let him go
That usually means he’ll get paid again before hitting market
We have young players at LT, RT and LG. I think I’d prefer we address Center though the draft so we can keep a young core together for the next 5-6 years.
A veteran might be a safer short term answer but if there’s a high quality Center available when we’re picking on day two we need to pull the trigger.
I think we should draft + grab a solid vet. We’ll have the cap for it.
Probably true. But with scarce draft capital if we do pony up for a FA I’d rather use the pick on pass catchers or pass rushers.
This is obviously what we need to do. Both for lockerroom leadership, mentorship and for depth
Connor Williams will be 27 when next season starts
He’s a converted OT. And he has issues snapping the ball. Not sure I’m ready for that rollercoaster again.
Sedric van Pran out of UGA seems like he’s getting talked about a lot as a center prospect
This is definitely who i want. Been watching him for a bit this year knowing we need a center. Looks great
I think the best center prospect in the draft this year is Jackson Powers-Johnson. He would probably go in the 2nd. But if he’s there in the 3rd we should snag him.
Connor Williams is my pipe dream
I think if they stop moving Cody around and let him be dedicated he can improve and leave Kramer as a primary we can be ok
Whitehair is washed and he was average at C on his best day.
I don’t think so. Center is the hardest position on oline to play. So to rotate instead of working on one craft all year and during offseason it’s difficult. That’s like being a cashier and cook. One part is going to suffer
Whitehair is getting cut, his contract is wildly overpaid for his current production. We should take the money we save by cutting him and give it to someone who’s actually played well at center more recently than 2018.