Top draft prospects - Center

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

We’ve got to get a great Center one way or another.

It’s a position of weakness despite being a vital position.
I’ve lost faith that Patrick will overcome injury long enough to establish himself as a top Center and Big Sam isn’t going to get there.

So I’m looking for draft prospects at Center.

So far I’ve come across John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota. He looks like an early to mid second rounder, not sure he’ll still be there for our ravens pick so we need them to tank big style

The number one word people use to describe him is “toughness”. That’s what I want, a tough bastard from the Teven Jenkins school of hard knocks. I think Schmitz is the man.

Draft him Poles

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Sedrick Van Pran seems to be another good prospect

[karhu]

We’ve got to get a great Center one way or another.

It’s a position of weakness despite being a vital position.
I’ve lost faith that Patrick will overcome injury long enough to establish himself as a top Center and Big Sam isn’t going to get there.

So I’m looking for draft prospects at Center.

So far I’ve come across John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota. He looks like an early to mid second rounder, not sure he’ll still be there for our ravens pick so we need them to tank big style

The number one word people use to describe him is “toughness”. That’s what I want, a tough bastard from the Teven Jenkins school of hard knocks. I think Schmitz is the man.

Draft him Poles

He's a good 'un from all I've seen, and like Jenkins just athletic enough to bring the full measure of his badassery in a system like ours.

Also, he's from the South Suburbs of Chicago, which can't hurt.

[Grizzled]

We’ve got to get a great Center one way or another.

It’s a position of weakness despite being a vital position.
I’ve lost faith that Patrick will overcome injury long enough to establish himself as a top Center and Big Sam isn’t going to get there.

So I’m looking for draft prospects at Center.

So far I’ve come across John Michael Schmitz from Minnesota. He looks like an early to mid second rounder, not sure he’ll still be there for our ravens pick so we need them to tank big style

The number one word people use to describe him is “toughness”. That’s what I want, a tough bastard from the Teven Jenkins school of hard knocks. I think Schmitz is the man.

Draft him Poles

He's a good 'un from all I've seen, and like Jenkins just athletic enough to bring the full measure of his badassery in a system like ours.

Also, he's from the South Suburbs of Chicago, which can't hurt.

I like him also. I hope he meets Poles' standards.

[wab]

Schmitz Is probably a top 30 pick. I would imagine he’s the first interior lineman off the board, somewhere between picks 18-30.

[wab]

I’d target Bozeman in FA

[DaSuperfan]

Jarrett Patterson C Notre Dame will also get a look, I'd imagine.

[wab]

I'm going to be real upset when Patrick and Mustipher are back next year.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

I'm going to be real upset when Patrick and Mustipher are back next year.

they’re welcome to fill out the PS for a season

[Moriarty]

We'll see what Combine tells us, but for now:

I think Wypler, Van Pran, and Tippman ought to go back for another year
I have athleticism concerns about Schmitz, Van Pran, Oluwatimi, and Avila

* starts are prior to this year, most will be adding another 12ish
** ht/wt/guestimated or rumored 40 are all from my site of preference

[thunderspirit]

I agree on the redshirt sophs (Wypler and Van Pran), don't think they'll come out. I'm much less convinced on Tippmann not taking the jump.

I also have fewer athleticism doubts on Oluwatimi than on Schmitz and on Avila.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I don’t think C is a position that we should solve through the draft. We need a veteran leader at that spot. I expect Poles to grab a C in FA.

[wab]

I don’t think C is a position that we should solve through the draft. We need a veteran leader at that spot. I expect Poles to grab a C in FA.

Agreed, only if you are planning on him starting. If the plan is to roll with Patrick for one more year, then drafting a potential future starter makes a lot of sense (especially if Kramer can't come back).

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

I mean Patrick is a veteran and he’s done Jack shit at C since we signed him.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I mean Patrick is a veteran and he’s done Jack shit at C since we signed him.

Yeah. We need a veteran C not named Lucas Patrick.

[bearsoldier]

I’d target Bozeman in FA

I agree and had hoped the Bears would sign him when he was on the market last time.

The following article seems to indicate he really wants to be in Carolina. https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2022/ ... -contract]

That said, Carolina coaching staff could change drastically next year... Maybe hire OL coach James Campen and bring Bozeman here as a package deal?

Seems like a longshot, but hey we are just speculating, so why not?

[thunderspirit]

I mean Patrick is a veteran and he’s done Jack shit at C since we signed him.

Yeah. We need a veteran C not named Lucas Patrick.

Sam Mustipher meets those minimum qualifications.

[duckherd50]

I dont even remember the games Patrick played in its been so long and he didn't make that much of a good impression apparently. But, did he ever play C this year? Or, did he get hurt before taking off his club he had?

[bearsoldier]

I dont even remember the games Patrick played in its been so long and he didn't make that much of a good impression apparently. But, did he ever play C this year? Or, did he get hurt before taking off his club he had?

He started at Center in New England in Week 7 for ~6 snaps and then went on IR with the toe injury... Coaches loved his capability to perform well in practice. Fans cringed every time he played at Guard. Hope we avoid keeping him around for anything other than a 2nd string backup Center. He really sucks at Guard and with little time at Center it is hard to say he should be our backup at the position as he good for nothing else.

[Moriarty]

I agree on the redshirt sophs (Wypler and Van Pran), don't think they'll come out. I'm much less convinced on Tippmann not taking the jump.

To be clear, those are recommendations, not predictions.

You are correct, though, that Tippmann is coming out.
I think he could be a nice mid/late value, but I'd rather the Bears land someone more ready to play. My patience for bumbling at C evaporated years ago.

[IE]

I think a great FA Center would be a terrific signing, and finding one should be a priority. Or drafting someone like Patterson. But I'm OK with Mustipher for one more year with the way the Oline is shaping up. I think the biggest issues right now are having guys develop and do a better job on the edge, and then basically the entire unit working effectively together. So continuity would help.

[EricTighe]

Don't forget about Kramer. The coaches were liking what they saw from him before he got hurt.

I like the kid Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan late in the draft or through FA.

[wab]

I think continuity is really the biggest key for the OL. And getting a RT.

[wulfy]

I don’t think C is a position that we should solve through the draft. We need a veteran leader at that spot. I expect Poles to grab a C in FA.

I believe Poles thinks he already did that.

[wab]

The Bears will have two veteran centers on the roster going into 2023 (you can question the quality of those players all day).

I expect the Bears to draft an interior lineman that has experience at both guard and center and sign a RT in FA.

[The Kaiser]

Cody Mauch is a prospect to keep an eye. A lot of buzz about moving him into C. Guy reminds me of Tevin Jenkins. Think he'd be a great addition to this team.

[Grizzled]

Patrick missing most of the season leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If the Bears can snag a better center in free agency, they should release him. Garrett Bradbury from the Vikes would be another good one to look at.

[bearsoldier]

I like the kid Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan late in the draft or through FA.

I read about him and watched some tape of Michigan games. He is raw and would need to develop but seems like a decent prospect.

That said, we would be best to pay a FA. Bozeman is in the top 5 of my FA wish list.

Please Bears, get rid of Patrick, I think he sucks at C and G even more than Musty, and I do not ever want to see him again.

[EricTighe]

ALEX FORSYTH C Oregon, 6-4,312.

1939 career snaps.
7 QB hurries
3 Qb hits
3 sacks.
28 games at center, 12 games mostly at guard left and right and some time at RT(very little)


My top center in the draft. right now 5th or 6th round projection on him. Look at the stats again and realize how freaky that really is.

He would be higher if he wasn't turning 24 in February.

[EricTighe]

Patrick missing most of the season leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If the Bears can snag a better center in free agency, they should release him. Garrett Bradbury from the Vikes would be another good one to look at.

When he did play he looked freaking bad. I mean really bad. Hoping it was cause he was never really healthy.