Tag: doug kramer

Updated look at Bears offensive line depth after 2022 NFL draft

With the four offensive linemen additions in the NFL draft, here’s a look at where the Bears’ offensive line depth stands.

The Chicago Bears selected four offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL draft, an indication that general manager Ryan Poles is looking to shore up what was one of the offense’s biggest weaknesses last year.

Chicago added all four offensive linemen — mostly interior guys — on Day 3 of the draft: Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones, San Diego State’s Zach Thomas, Illinois’ Doug Kramer and Southern’s Ja’Tyre Carter.

While most are developmental prospects at this point, there was an obvious focus on building the offensive line in the draft, which makes sense given that quarterback Justin Fields was among the most-sacked quarterbacks last season.

Following the addition of four offensive linemen during the draft, here’s a look at the Bears’ offensive line depth:

Closer look at the Bears’ 2022 draft picks

We’re taking a closer look at the Bears’ draft class, including breakdowns, player profiles and scouting reports on the new rookies.

The Chicago Bears selected 11 players during the 2022 NFL Draft, including a pair of starting defensive backs in Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker in the second round, as well as four offensive linemen, a wide receiver, an edge rusher, a running back and even a punter.

Now that Chicago has its 2022 draft class in place, it’s time dive in and take a look at what the Bears have in their new rookies.

We’re taking a closer look at the Bears’ draft class, including breakdowns, player profiles, scouting reports from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and comments from the Bears on all 11 selections.

Grading every Bears pick in the 2022 NFL draft

Here’s a round-up of all of our grades for each of the Bears’ 11 picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Chicago Bears welcomed 11 new players to their roster this weekend during the 2022 NFL draft, including two players who project to serve as immediate starters in cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker.

While it’s far too early to start evaluating general manager Ryan Poles’ first draft class before they’ve even hit the field, we’re taking an early look at this 2022 draft class, which includes four offensive linemen, three defensive backs, one wide receiver, one edge rusher, one running back and one punter.

Here’s a round-up of all of our grades for each of the Bears’ 11 selections in the 2022 NFL draft.

2022 NFL draft: Experts hand out grades for Bears

Here’s a collection of all of the grades for the Bears’ 2022 draft class, where experts wondered why they didn’t do more for Justin Fields.

The 2021 NFL draft is officially in the books, and the Chicago Bears came out of it with some promising prospects.

General manager Ryan Poles targeted the secondary with his first two selections in Round 2 in Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon and Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also took a chance on speedy Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. in the third round.

But it was on Day 3 when Poles turned three selections into eight picks through several trades, where he added some great value picks that could turn into steals down the line.

Here’s a collection of all of the grades for the Bears’ draft class from various sports outlets, where most experts were left wondering why Chicago didn’t do more to help Justin Fields.

Grading the Bears’ selection of OL Doug Kramer

The Bears added more depth at offensive line with homegrown kid Doug Kramer in the sixth round. Here’s how we graded the pick.

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As the Chicago Bears look to rebuild their offensive line, they added center Doug Kramer with the 207th overall pick in Round 6.

What fans will like about Kramer is how he’s a hometown player. He was born in Hinsdale, IL, and played college football at Illinois.

Though Kramer was projected to be anywhere from a late-round Day 3 pick to an undrafted free agent, he will help bring depth to the interior offensive line. Whether he is just an extra player for training camp or earns a spot on the roster is yet to be seen.

Kramer comes in at 6-foot-2, 305-pounds. He has good size for the position and scouts like his attitude, as he plays through the whistle.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Kramer. He has the chance to shock a lot of scouts and earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The ability to be an NFL-caliber lineman has been shown, it’s just been inconsistent. If he can become more consistent, there’s a chance we see him suit up on Sundays.

Grade: C-

Instant analysis of Bears’ 207th overall pick, C Doug Kramer

The Bears have added their third offensive lineman of the day with homegrown product Doug Kramer in Round 6. Here’s our breakdown.

The Chicago Bears have made it a point to address the offensive line on the final day of the NFL draft, selecting three offensive linemen between the fifth and sixth rounds.

Chicago selected Illinois center Doug Kramer with the 207th overall pick. Kramer is a hometown product playing high school football at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, IL.

As a center, Kramer fits the zone blocking scheme. He’s a bit skinnier than most offensive linemen but has the athleticism on pull blocks and reaches to cut off defenders. In addition, he has a low center of gravity and can anchor well against the pass rush.

He was All-Big Ten second team at Illinois and on the Rimington Award and Outland Trophy watchlist for best offensive linemen/centers. He was the no. 7 ranked interior offensive lineman by PFF, and Mel Kiper had him as the seventh-best center on his big board.

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Twitter is thrilled to see the Bears draft Illinois C Doug Kramer

The Bears added another offensive lineman in Illinois’ Doug Kramer, and there are plenty of people happy to see him wind up in Chicago.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles isn’t being shy about creating competition for the interior of the offensive line. The team added their third interior lineman of the day when they selected center Doug Kramer from Illinois with the 207th overall pick.

Kramer joins Braxton Jones and Zachary Thomas as the other picks from Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft.

Kramer is a local product, growing up in Hinsdale, IL, a western suburb of Chicago. He’s an experienced center who can also play guard as well. Perhaps he’s the team’s future at center if he can develop.

Needless to say with Kramer going to school just a few hours south of Chicago, there are plenty of people happy to see him wind up with the Bears.

Bears select OL Doug Kramer with 207th overall pick in NFL draft

Chicago has drafted Illinois center Doug Kramer with the 207th pick. The Bears have now selected three offensive linemen on Day 3.

The Chicago Bears selected Illinois center Doug Kramer with the 207th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Here’s what CBS Sports had to say about Kramer:

Career center with the short-area quickness to excel in a scheme that will ask him to be on the move frequently. Decently effective getting to his assignments for the run game. Reach blocks are stellar. Flashes of good power because he plays low and anchors decently well for being a touch disadvanged size/length wise. Run-blocking ahead of his work in pass pro, but he’s aware of secondary rushes and will at least get part of the defender because he’s quick….Not someone you want starting immediately but has upside because of his athleticism.

It took the Bears over three hours to make their first selection on Day 3 of the draft after general manager Ryan Poles made several trades to turn three Day 3 picks into eight selections.

Chicago still has three picks left on Saturday, all in the seventh round at 226th, 254th and 255th overall.

More to come.

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The Big Ten’s top five centers heading into 2021

Do any #Buckeyes make the Big Ten’s top five centers heading into 2021?

The college football season — and with it, some Ohio State football — kicks off in less than a month, and we have been rolling through the best of the Big Ten at each position. We have already completed our list of top five quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles and guards.

The Buckeyes will be breaking in a few new faces on the offensive line and that includes a new starter at the center spot to anchor things. In all likelihood, a familiar face will make the move there, but who and where will they rank?

We take a look at who are the best five centers in the Big Ten heading into the 2021 season.