Bears Eye Center in Draft

0:00It's April 20th. I'm Corey with The Story. This is NFL News Today, driven by AI and Bill for football fans. Chicago Bears hit a rough patch on their offensive line this off season. They lost left tackle Ozzy Trapilo for most of 2026, then Pro Bowl Center, Drew Dauman, retired right before free agency. General manager Ryan Poles traded for center-guarred Bradberry as a quick fix, but everyone's been waiting for them to grab a long-term center in the draft. Earlier this week, Kentucky Center, Jagger Birdon visited Hollis Hall, along with stops at the Bengals and Titans. NFL insider Ian Rappaport calls him a likely day-to-pick with good size and combined athleticism. But draft experts like Dame Brugler rank him just number nine among centers, 190th overall, while ESPN's Jordan Reed mocks him to. Teba Bay at 220 ninth. Fans and analysts are split. Burton's got potential, but needs coaching on footwork, stance, and hands-to-face NFL defenses.

1:02Many see him slipping to the seventh round, more of a project than a day-one starter, especially with Bradberry already in place as a stopgap, the Patriots dumped. Meanwhile, Bayer scotted higher upside guys like Kansas State's Sam Hecht, number two center and 90 second overall per Brugler, plus Florida's. Jake Slotter and Iowa's Logan Jones. Those three could go in rounds three or four and might start right away in 2026, with Caleb Williams needing protection to level up. Bayer's can't bank on Bradberry long term. Smart Money says they target a ready-now center to rebuild that line and push for contender status.