4. Cole Strange, Chattanooga
Average Mock Draft Position: 79.6
NFL Comparison: JC Tretter
Cole Strange has been a riser during the draft season, and a lot of it has to do with his athletic profile. You can see below that for his position he is in the 99.5% of all NFL athletes, and there are few who compare. Still, you can see another small school player turned long-term starter in J.C. Tretter, and how his athleticism was able to translate to the NFL.
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The two would likely be best used in the same scheme, and Tretter has always been a zone-blocking center. With that in mind, Strange has always been a zone blocker as well, and is the best when he is on his feet and pulling into the second level.
His athleticism shows when he can get to linebackers with ease and help lead backs into the second level. Still, he also shows quick and a quick punch out of his stance in pass protection.
Strange has 42 starts at left guard, and is a five-year starter, but did start a game at center, and also worked out at center during the Senior Bowl.
Similar to Fortner, Strange will be 24 years old as a rookie and is a five-year player from a small school. His body is maxed out and he can still be out leveraged by the length at times. This is what has him falling into the round three or four range. If the Chicago Bears like what they see and think he can start year one, he is a true option for pick 71.