For the Chicago Bears, the offseason is in full swing. They have already been busy so far, setting up the new coaching staff. Days after the final regular season game, they fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and nearly his entire staff. Two weeks after that, they had Shane Waldron and the rest of the vacancies already filled.
With that, the Bears general manager Ryan Poles now sets out to build a stronger roster in 2024. The team already made improvements, going from three wins in 2022 to seven in 2023. They are looking for even more in 2024.
With a need at center, the Chicago Bears can go through the draft to find a good one. Here are five of them to target in this April's draft
The Chicago Bears have a need at center. In 2023, they had Lucas Patrick and Cody Whitehair each taking their turns. Both of them were ineffective and the offense suffered because of it. Patrick will become a free agent so he likely won't be re-signed. Whitehair has a big salary cap hit so he will likely be cut.
That leaves a big hole in the middle of the offensive line. They need not only someone who can adequately block for the running game but also have a good rapport with the quarterback.
There are quite a few prospects available for Poles and the Bears in this draft. Of course, he could decide to go the free agent route and pick up a veteran. Either way, there is a need for depth so the option via the draft would still be open. Center and guard are just about interchangeable so the Bears could pick up a center who also plays guard.
Here is a list of five potential targets at center for the Chicago Bears.
Javion Cohen, Miami (FL); 6-foot-4, 320 pounds
Javion Cohen is a prospect who could provide depth on the interior of the line should the Bears opt for a veteran center. Cohen played both guard and center in his time in Miami.
Cohen has a thick, wide-bodied frame with good arm length. He has good hand placement and a good punch. He delivers knockback power and jolt with his heavy hands, and uses his forearms and shoulders to garner power. In pass protection he stays square and is able to quickly latch onto the pass rusher.
In the running game, Cohen is able to attach to the defender and widen him out to secure running lanes. His power and strength help him fill the gaps against power rushers. He'll be able to meet up with them and handle himself well. He gets to the second level quickly and provides powerful collisions to obliterate defenders there.
Cohen has a fifth-round projection. He could be a good depth piece if a center is already in place.
Sedrick Van Pran; 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
Sedrick Van Pran has a thick build with good leverage and play strength. He is quick off the snap and his burst allows him to meet the defenders quickly and take advantage. He is good at getting under and inside defenders to create lift and getting them off-balance.
Van Pran has some nastiness in him. He is a finisher and his physical play tends to wear defenders down in a game. Physicality is something the Bears' offensive line lacks. The ability to thrash defenders and wear them down gives the offense an advantage late in games. Additionally, he comes in handy in short-yardage situations. Too many times last season the offense failed to convert when they had third or fourth down and short.
Van Pran is known as a leader. He was the leader on a Georgia team that won multiple championships. He would add that leadership in the Bears' locker room. In addition to his leadership skills he has experience. He was a three-year starter and started 43 games at center.
Graham Barton, Duke; 6-foot-5, 315 pounds
Graham Barton has good contact balance and a low center of gravity. He is quick off the snap and has above-average lateral movement. He has good grip strength. That allows him to latch onto a defender and steer him away, creating running lanes. His pad level is good, as are his body positioning and finishing skills.
Barton is known for his leadership skills. Additionally, his work ethic is great. He will stay late to watch film or work out more. He is always looking to improve his skills.
Barton started as a center but then moved over to left tackle. At the pro level, he is expected to kick inside again, however. His flexibility and athleticism will help him dominate the interior of the offensive line. With his experience at tackle, he can help there as well. Having a player who can play all five positions is an incredible advantage. We saw with the Bears' offensive line how injuries can destroy a unit. Having flexible players is great to have.
Barton has a high motor. He is physical and will take advantage of a defender who starts to feel tired. He will continue to go after him and thrash him.
Zach Frazier, West Virginia; 6-foot-2, 315 pounds
Zach Frazier out of West Virginia is considered one of the most NFL-ready of all of the prospects in this draft. He was a four-year starter, starting 47 games (38 at center). He has very good strength and powerful hands. His wrestling background helps him use leverage to his advantage. Additionally, he works hard on the field and in the classroom. He was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Frazier is a very good zone and gap run blocker. You can tell he is a gym warrior. His strength is incredible. Add that to his great center of gravity and it is nearly impossible to get past him. He can decipher movement after the snap. He is a quality puller and blocks well on the run.
Scouts consider Frazier one of the top two centers in this draft. They feel he is ready to start on Day 1 wherever he goes. He is a quality prospect and would help improve the Chicago Bears' offensive line.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon State; 6-foot-3, 335 pounds
Jackson Powers-Johnson is a fan favorite. He dominated college football and now in the draft season, he is impressing even more. He just wrapped up the Senior Bowl last week and was the best offensive lineman in the week of practice. At the practices, he worked at both center and guard. In his college career, he played both guard spots and even defensive tackle.
Jackson-Powers is quick off the snap and explodes out of the stance. He can meet a rushing defender head on and stop him cold. Also, he gets to the second level quickly and does a great job of pulling. On double teams, his strength shows. He hits the defensive tackle and jars him, usually knocking him to the ground.
Jackson-Powers is a menacing, tone-setting player. He quarterbacks the unit and has them playing hard at all times. As mentioned earlier, the Bears offensive line is in desperate need of toughness. Jackson-Powers makes his teammates feel extra strength and menace that even they did not think they had.
In pass protection, Jackson-Powers is fluid out of his stance. He has a good anchor to keep pass rushers at bay. If there is no one for him to block, he will clear the line sending defensive linemen to the ground.
Jackson-Powers was projected to go in the second round. With his impressive workout at the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine happening soon, and a Pro Day, he could end up sneaking into the first round. He could be available if the Bears make some deals to add some draft picks. Chicago Bears Nation would love to have him.