2025 "as of now" Key Free Agent Centers

[oso4lyf]

Name a successful FA O lineman Poles has brought in.

I'll wait for the answer....

He's let them go to other teams more so than bringing them in

 

[DB012031]

Hmmm.... at first glance it sounds terrible but actually it does make sense. Then again I can say the same for keeping Ryan Bates instead if they truly think his shoulder is now healed.

That makes getting a Center early in the draft more of a requirement however.

The issue is there aren't really any high-end center's like in previous drafts. Personally, I would target the center out of Georgia but to guarantee him, most likely the Bears would have to use their 4th rounder. I don't see a "true" Center going in the first 3 rounds.

Now, the guy I think will end up being the best center in this draft is the kid out of North Dakota State but now the word is out and so many are falling in love with him because of the Senior Bowl performance. There is a world where he could go late 1st but most likely is gone by the 40-45th pick. If he is there at 41 when the Bears pick, if I could play GM for the day, I would run to the podium to select him. While I think he could play Tackle in the NFL, i really do believe his best move is to go to the interior G/C

 

[HearshotKDS]

Yet another massive mistake by the Bears medical staff and a fantastic hoodwink job by the Bills.

Chris Williams Kevin White Teven Jenkins Kiran Amegadjie and Ryan Bates I know there's others I've missed that have had misdiagnosed injury problems that crop up that have caused significant problems as well.

Yeah i don’t know how easy it is for medical staff to find something like that but it’s clear BUF sold Poles a bridge on Bates. Clearly came as damaged goods.

 

[Runruffshod75]

Dalman is the only FA CENTER that's worth an honest look and even with him there are injury concerns.

I know that next years FA class looks better than this year's as a whole. Outside of Tre Smith or maybe Dalman and Risner as alternatives if Smith stays in KC, I wouldnt look to spend a lot on much of anything long term in this class.

If Smith is available then sign him. If not make some patchwork get me over short term signings. Draft your players, At some point after the draft trade 2026 draft capital for a DE.

Then next year with a better FA class you can use a top tier FA signing to supplement whichever pick(s) you have traded

 

[EDPeezy]

I’d stick with Shelton and draft a guy in the 4-7. He played better as the year progressed and they can’t just spend all their cap on IOL. They’re going to have to pay a G. They may have to pay a tackle. They need to pay a DE or DT. Two of their first three picks need to be spent on the lines. Some continuity would help, People have this naive idea that they’re just bringing in 4 new starters and that will solve everything. They can then comfortably sign Smith if he becomes available and still have money to spend.

Im really not even opposed with trying to keep Teven on a 1 year prove it deal. Or an extremely team friendly 2 year deal with a team option. Although I doubt Jenkins would do that. And then signing a vet and or using one of those 2 seconds on another G.

They need options that give them flexibility to still spend on the other team needs. Specifically the DL and maybe even OT. DL for sure though.

I think a major problem is the depth behind the starters. Jenkins is fine. He’s just hurt way too much. They need depth behind him. Good depth though. Not turnstiles. Shelton is a risk, but he’s a cheaper option and moved in the right direction as the year progressed. I don’t like just throwing that away. I know it’s a little risky, but I’m also advocating for getting depth behind them that can develop. So you’re looking toward the future while keeping some semblance of continuity in place for the short term.

 

[Xplosive]

sorry X, there might not be a center worthy of picking in this entire draft

I seriously doubt there is no center available in all of the draft. He just cant start day 1

 

[Runruffshod75]

I seriously doubt there is no center available in all of the draft. He just cant start day 1

Yup. Jake Majors would win the starting job on most NFL teams on day 1. If the Bears draft Majors with a second or third round pick then it's a damn good pick.

Majors was the best Olineman on the Texas team

 

[Discus fish salesman]

I seriously doubt there is no center available in all of the draft. He just cant start day 1

I be looking at Marcus mbow as a center option. He reminds me a lot of Zach Tom with GB who many projected as a C/G in the draft.

Yup. Jake Majors would win the starting job on most NFL teams on day 1. If the Bears draft Majors with a second or third round pick then it's a damn good pick.

Majors was the best Olineman on the Texas team

Majors in round 2 or 3 would be an absolutely abysmal pick. Now round 5 or 6 where he'll likely go would be fine

 

[Runruffshod75]

I’d stick with Shelton and draft a guy in the 4-7. He played better as the year progressed and they can’t just spend all their cap on IOL. They’re going to have to pay a G. They may have to pay a tackle. They need to pay a DE or DT. Two of their first three picks need to be spent on the lines. Some continuity would help, People have this naive idea that they’re just bringing in 4 new starters and that will solve everything. They can then comfortably sign Smith if he becomes available and still have money to spend.

Im really not even opposed with trying to keep Teven on a 1 year prove it deal. Or an extremely team friendly 2 year deal with a team option. Although I doubt Jenkins would do that. And then signing a vet and or using one of those 2 seconds on another G.

They need options that give them flexibility to still spend on the other team needs. Specifically the DL and maybe even OT. DL for sure though.

I think a major problem is the depth behind the starters. Jenkins is fine. He’s just hurt way too much. They need depth behind him. Good depth though. Not turnstiles. Shelton is a risk, but he’s a cheaper option and moved in the right direction as the year progressed. I don’t like just throwing that away. I know it’s a little risky, but I’m also advocating for getting depth behind them that can develop. So you’re looking toward the future while keeping some semblance of continuity in place for the short term.

No.

 

[Runruffshod75]

I be looking at Marcus mbow as a center option. He reminds me a lot of Zach Tom with GB who many projected as a C/G in the draft.



Majors in round 2 or 3 would be an absolutely abysmal pick. Now round 5 or 6 where he'll likely go would be fine

That isn't happening

 

[Discus fish salesman]

That isn't happening

It's certainly more likely than round 2 where he has 0 chance of being drafted unless a bunch of draft eligible guys die between now and the end of April. There's a possibility Majors sneaks into the back end of 3 or 4 I guess

 

[DefNextYear]

No.

Be ready to be disappointed if you think we'll be able to significantly upgrade Shelton next year.

 

[Neckbeard]

Be ready to be disappointed if you think we'll be able to significantly upgrade Shelton next year.

eh, he'll be "ok" if they upgrade both guards anyway. Remember most of 2024 had 2 backups starting at guards. Actually got down to 3rd/4th string guards starting.

 

[bears51/40]

Dalman and Kelly have injury issues and can’t stay healthy. Shelton has no issues there. This needs to be considered when discussing centers

The worst injury Dalman has had is the high ankle sprain he had last year which cost him 8 games. In 2023 it was an ankle sprain and was out two games, then tweaked it against the Bears and Falcons sat him for the last meaningless game of the season.

 

[zabavka]

Ryan Bates is going to be next year's center.

 

[bears51/40]

I would have to think most if not all of CCS knows that Dalman is the only center worth a shit

Well, there is another C/OG who started for Johnson in 2022, Evan Brown, who had a solid year at C when Ragnow went down with injury. Turned that into a huge payday with the Seahawks and was a bust, but came back to have another solid season with the Cards as an OG last season.

 

[DefNextYear]

eh, he'll be "ok" if they upgrade both guards anyway. Remember most of 2024 had 2 backups starting at guards. Actually got down to 3rd/4th string guards starting.

Yup, that's my point. That's exactly what I posted here already (Post 5).

People are irrationally hating Shelton. He was actually a top half of the league center last year. If there was a can't miss upgrade, say like the Trey Smith of centers... fine, lets do it. Instead, the Teven Jenkins of centers is available and will probably get a decent pay day relative to Shelton and miss a ton of time. To boot, Dalman is historically terrible at pass blocking. If we invest heavy at guard, they'll chip enough and help the center. We can mask the deficiency there while we develop a center in-house.

I know people can get bent out of shape over implying a lineman isn't horrible. I'm not saying Shelton is some great player or long term piece. He's just a guy that can help bridge the gap. There are so few impact makers at center... no need to stress over minor upgrades, at best, if the impact maker isn't available.

 

[hyatt151]

Well, there is another C/OG who started for Johnson in 2022, Evan Brown, who had a solid year at C when Ragnow went down with injury. Turned that into a huge payday with the Seahawks and was a bust, but came back to have another solid season with the Cards as an OG last season.

he's a good guard but an iffy center

 

[Runruffshod75]

It's certainly more likely than round 2 where he has 0 chance of being drafted unless a bunch of draft eligible guys die between now and the end of April. There's a possibility Majors sneaks into the back end of 3 or 4 I guess

Nope. Majors is one of the best lineman in this class at his position who is getting dragged for spearheading a less than stellar CENTER class at face value.

Majors locked down that Texas CENTER position and only allowed 1 sack in around 2800 snaps in the BIG 12 and vs playoff competition.

Majors is an excellent run blocking CENTER who pulls at the second level beautifully. Very Oline Kreutz like from a pulling and run blocking at the second level aspect

Majors is one of the most complete linemen in this class and most complete CENTER in this class. Majors is one of the few CENTERS in the collegiate or pro level, that can consistently man up with interior defensive linemen after the snap, without fucking up the snap, and without help from a chip or OG, in ODD/UNDER Fronts

That alone is s a huge one up from the CENTER position that allows your OGs to man up with other defenders, and use your chip with an OT off the edge, or in the backfield to help pick.up a DB blitz.

Especially against that COVER ZERO that DCs threw at the Bears offense because they knew the Bears offensive line woes started right in the middle of their offensive line every time with a weak CENTER who was good at doubling up with one of the OGs but driven like a human tent stake when on his own vs interior defensive linemen.

Majors is a younger more talented version of Drew Dalman as a young prospect minus the injury concerns and free agent contract.

I'm hoping that Majors is on the board in round 3. Again, Majors is one of the best interior linemen in this class and is the only complete CENTER in this class. He won't be on the board anywhere near the fifth or sixth round.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

The worst injury Dalman has had is the high ankle sprain he had last year which cost him 8 games. In 2023 it was an ankle sprain and was out two games, then tweaked it against the Bears and Falcons sat him for the last meaningless game of the season.

Sooooo……. He can’t stay healthy.