5 draft prospects on Chicago Bears radar who can play center or guard
The Chicago Bears have a need on the interior offensive line. Even with signing Lucas Patrick, they have a hole at right guard, and Patrick should not be locked into center for the future quite yet. Patrick started at center last season, but still is a bet on what he can be more than what he is.
If the team can find a player who can start at guard during his rookie year, with the possibility of jumping into center year two if things go wrong, they should not hesitate just because they do not need a center. You saw the Lions draft Frank Ragnow, play him at guard and move him to center after a year of adjusting to the NFL and that worked well.
With that in mind, who are five players who could start at guard or center if needed?
5. Luke Fortner, Kentucky
Average Mock Draft Position: 108
NFL Comparison: Austin Corbett
Luke Fortner is the type of player we are talking about with his versatility. Fortner is a three-year starter, and spent 17 starts at right guard, three at left guard, and 13 starts at center. Fortner played in a zone-based scheme in college, which would be his best fit in the NFL.
It is worth noting that the offensive coordinator from Kentucky, Liam Coen went to the Rams this offseason, and the two schemes are similar. Below you can see how Fortner compares athletically to Austin Corbett, who will be playing under Coen next season.
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The two work best in the same scheme, and you will see that next year. Beyond that, Corbett was drafted as a center but found his home in the NFL as a zone-blocking guard. This could be a likely outcome for Luke Fortner.
Fortner will be 24 years old as a rookie, but the fact that he can start right away could forgive some of that. Beyond that, he is often mocked in the third and fourth round.
Fortner would be a great pick in round four, but unless the Chicago Bears trade back, they do not have a pick there. In round three, it may be rich, which is what pushes him to number five in the rankings.