Chicago Bears 2017 Mock draft: Four round mock

Round 4: Pat Elflein, C/G Ohio State (6-foot-3, 300 pounds)

It does not matter if it is Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley or Tom Brady under center for the Bears; if he does not have a good line protecting him he won’t get anything done.

The offensive line started out fairly well, but then it collapsed with all the injuries it sustained. Hopefully, Kyle Long recovers from his injuries to come back and play at a Pro Bowl level again.

In last year’s draft, the Bears got a good pickup in with Cody Whitehair in the second round. Not only did he have to play more snaps than originally planned, he moved from guard to center once Hroniss Grasu went down for the season.

If the Bears can pick up another one this year, the line can really form into a very good one, and the offense will benefit from it.

Elfein is a technically sound lineman. You can use his tape as an instruction video. His quick hands get inside on defenders and his strength keeps them off-balance.

Off-balance is something you rarely see in Elfein. He has great footwork and he shifts his weight properly. He is almost always in proper position at the snap of the ball.

Speaking of snaps, Elfein, like Whitehair, adds versatility. He moved over to center in his final season after playing his time before then at guard. You can never have enough versatile linemen, and he fits that bill.

Watching Elfein is pure pleasure. He always stays low, and uses great leverage. He has a mean streak, something needed in a lineman.

Elfein is the most polished lineman in the draft. He’d make an excellent pickup for the Bears, and his addition could make what was once a weakness into a strength.