Bears: Recent draft pick is bouncing back from brutal injury
The Bears' offensive line has undergone a makeover this offseason. The team used a first-round pick on tackle Darnell Wright and shelled out big money in free agency for guard Nate Davis. However, one position on the line still has fans concerned- center. There's now an extra player in contention for the center job, and […]
The Bears' offensive line has undergone a makeover this offseason.
The team used a first-round pick on tackle Darnell Wright and shelled out big money in free agency for guard Nate Davis. However, one position on the line still has fans concerned- center.
There's now an extra player in contention for the center job, and many have forgotten about him due to a season-ending injury last summer.
Doug Kramer has returned to practice, participating in OTAs this week. This comes after missing his entire rookie season in 2022 due to a serious lower-leg injury.
Kramer was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Illinois. The Chicagoland native was impressing last offseason before suffering the unfortunate injury. Kramer was put on injured reserve during the 2022 pre-season and did not play a snap in his rookie season.
At Illinois, Kramer was a standout run blocker. In 2019, Kramer recorded 14 big-time run-blocks, the most of any Power Five center in the PFF College era.
Currently, Cody Whitehair is listed as the starting center in Chicago. Whitehair has flipped between guard and center during his time in Chicago with mixed results. In 2022, the veteran lineman finished with a 65.9 PFF grade and allowed four sacks.
With a strong summer showing, either Kramer or veteran Lucas Patrick could potentially snatch the starting center job. At the very least, the Bears' depth on the line seems much better than it did a month ago.
