Cameron Erving: Chicago Bears Draft Prospect Profile
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With the draft less than a month away Beargoggleson will be breaking down a wide range of options for the Chicago Bears in the 2015 draft. We’ll start with the potential first round options, profile some possible day 2 prospects, and finish up with some under the radar day 3 players who I think could be good fits for the Bears new schemes on both sides of the ball. As always, if you have any complaints, advice, or questions please let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
College Career:
Erving has played more positions than just about anyone in the draft. He started out his college career as a defensive tackle with 20 tackles as a freshman. Then switched to offensive left tackle as a sophomore and had a pretty solid season, before breaking out as a junior and earning All-American honors in 2013. There was talk of Erving heading to the NFL after his impressive junior year, but he came back to FSU as a center this time and was one of the best all-around players at the position in the nation. Erving is clearly a versatile player who excelled at every position in college and should hear his name called relatively early in the draft.
Strengths:
His versatility is the obvious one. Erving could theoretically play anywhere on the offensive line and hold his own. He has all the physical traits teams look for in an O-lineman with good height (6’5), decent arm length (34 1/8″), and large hands (10 3/8″). Erving also has the foot quickness to pull as an interior lineman, deal with speed rushers on the outside, and get to the second level on screen passes. He is quick off the ball, uses his big hands well to neutralize D-linemen, and shows a natural understanding of leverage and blocking angles. Erving’s toughness and leadership are assets and he consistently plays through the whistle.
Weaknesses:
Erving’s technique gets sloppy at times, but he was still able to win 1-1 battles due to his elite athleticism. That may not be the case as often in the NFL where he will be facing similar athletes. He only played one year at center, so it’s understandable that he’s a bit raw at the position but he will need to improve his technique and line calls at the next level. Erving isn’t an overpowering blocker and may struggle with the more powerful DTs in the league.
Bears Fit:
The 7th pick is way too early for Erving and he probably won’t be available when the Bears pick in round 2. If the Bears get lucky and Erving is there in round 2, they should at least give him some thought. The Bears released veteran center Roberto Garza this offseason and replaced him with a short-term solution in 32-year-old Will Montgomery. There is no long-term answer at center on the Bears roster currently, but drafting Erving and letting him sit a year behind Montgomery while he learns the position could give the Bears a long-term Pro Bowl caliber center with the versatility to fill in at guard or tackle in a pinch.
Draft Projection:
Late 1st – Early 2nd round
Highlights: