Chicago Bears 2015 Position Preview: Center
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Hroniss Grasu
The Bears caught a break when Grasu fell to the the 3rd round of this year’s draft. I had him ranked either 1 or 2 at the center position for all of draft season and thought he was a lock to go in the 2nd round. He has starter potential as a rookie and Pro Bowl potential long-term. Center is the most under-rated O-line position in my opinion and the stats backed that up last year as 4 of the top 5 rushing teams in the NFL had a center rated in the top 5 overall by Pro Football Focus. The Bears have been getting roughly average play out of the Garza / de la Puente combo the last couple seasons but Grasu has the ability to be a significant upgrade.
Grasu is quick off the ball, with the athleticism to get to the second level on draw and trap plays. Grasu is a little undersized (6’3 | 297), but has a good base in pass pro and has been able to stone bull-rushes from much bigger DTs. Grasu started all 40 games in his career at Oregon, is a natural leader and has unusually long arms and huge hands. He’s been good since day 1 with the Ducks and has very few flaws in his game. Grasu seems like a guy who could step in as a rookie and be the Bears center for the next 7-8 years. He’s going to have his hands full betting out a solid veteran in Montgomery, but he has the talent to do so and it’s just a matter of time until he takes over the job long-term.
Potential Backups
Chad Hamilton
Tweener O-line prospect who has the feet and athleticism to play tackle, but the height (6’2) of an interior lineman. At only 292 pounds Hamilton may lack the bulk to play guard at the NFL level, especially when the Bears seem to be leaning towards massive linemen and a power running scheme, but could be a good fit at center. It’s also possible the Bears may use Hamilton as a reserve tackle, he’s short but does have good arm length (34″). Ultimately I think his future position with the Bears (if he has one) is at center.
Hamilton moves very well for his size, uses his arm length and hands effectively, and dominated the FCS level (Coastal Carolina) as both a run and pass blocker. He played both left tackle and guard in college and should have enough versatility to play center in the NFL. I thought Hamilton would be a day 3 pick and consider the Bears lucky to get a guy with his mobility and elite footwork as an undrafted free agent. My prediction for Hamilton is that the Bears keep him on the practice squad for the 2015 season, giving him time to get stronger and perhaps familiarize himself with the center position before taking over as Grasu’s backup in 2016.
Conor Boffeli
Former Iowa lineman who spent the majority of last season on the Bears practice squad. Like most Hawkeye linemen, Boffeli’s technique is solid and he also shows an innate understanding of blocking angles and leverage. He has the ability to play either guard or center and his versatility gives him a shot to earn a backup spot on the Bears 53-man roster. Boffeli lacks ideal size for an NFL lineman (6’4, 298) and has short arms (32″), but his work ethic, intelligence and versatility should at least keep him around on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the roster.