Most of the focus going into the 2023 draft is what the Chicago Bears will do at right tackle. That isn’t a surprise. It’s a glaring need for the team unless they’re willing to give Larry Borom another shot, which seems unlikely. That or they’re prepared to throw Alex Leatherwood out there again. Neither seems overly appetizing. Thus the expectations are that Ryan Poles may use the 9th overall pick on a top offensive tackle. However, it’s easy to forget that isn’t the only hole the Bears have up front.
There is still a lingering problem at center. Lucas Patrick didn’t live up to expectations due to injury issues. Sam Mustipher continued to look like an overmatched backup. So the Bears’ options appear clear. They can give Patrick another chance, shift Cody Whitehair back to center again, or take their chances in the draft. The two names floating around the rumor mill for that are John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota and Joe Tippmann of Wisconsin. Both are seen as like 2nd round picks. However, Pro Football Network insider Tony Pauline thinks Poles may have somebody else in mind.
That is Juice Scruggs of Penn State.
Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins, as well as Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears, were just a few decision-makers on hand for Penn State’s Pro Day.
Center Juice Scruggs, a Shrine Bowl participant, looked terrific. He timed 4.64 in the short shuttle, an improvement of two-tenths from his Combine mark. He then looked athletic and fundamentally very sound during drills. PFN interviewed Scruggs in Vegas, and he explained why he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
He was forced to take a backseat to Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz and Ohio State’s Luke Wypler in the Big 10. It must be noted Scruggs made the successful transition from guard to center in 2022. Scruggs had dinner with the Bears last night and met at length with the Dolphins at the pro day. Right now, it seems unlikely Scruggs gets past the Bears’ pick, which opens the fourth round.
Scruggs fits what the Chicago Bears look for.
Scouting reports indicate a player with good athleticism and movement skills. He has decent size and 33-inch arms, which are good for a center. His power base is solid, and he is able to hold his ground against bigger interior defensive linemen. Then there is his violent temperament. Scruggs loves to finish his blocks. While nothing about him comes across as special, there aren’t any true holes in his game to pick apart. He might remind people of Ben Jones: an unremarkable talent but a rock-solid football player.
Jones went early in the 4th round. So it stands to reason the same will happen with Scruggs. The Chicago Bears have the first pick in that round and also the 4th rounder from Philadelphia as well. Poles already knows he can land quality offensive line help from this area of the draft. He nabbed Braxton Jones in the 5th last year. He helped the Chiefs land Zach Fulton and Trey Smith in the 6th round. It’s hardly uncommon to find quality interior offensive linemen on Day 3. Scruggs feels like his type of guy.
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Why would not the Bears approach, Billy Price (OSU) from Arizona Cardinals? He’s still young and big and aggressive.
I would love to get Scruggs in Rd 4. Then he and Cody W get compete for the starting C spot. I’d still prefer DL (Tyree or Van Ness), Bijan, or JSN in the first but i sure wouldn’t be upset if the pick is Parris. I do still want to see what our current young 1st rd OT, Leatherwood, can do, however
Lindys rates him as a 6 round draft pick.
Would love to see an OC that is a tone setter. Poles will find one. I’m also fine with Mustipher as a backup. He’s cheap and experienced.
eecummings: If neither Patrick nor Whitehair are starting, then it’s likely they get cut, or asked to renegotiate their salaries. Whitehair would probably say no, get cut, and sign with Atlanta, like many other Pace picks have done.
My gut feeling is that Kramer and Mustipher will compete for the backup center spot, and only one of them will make the roster. Mustipher has experience, but if Kramer can beat him out, well, so be it.