After spending four years as a mainstay in the middle of the Oregon offensive line, Hroniss Grasu is headed to the Chicago Bears as the No. 71 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The former Duck started 50 straight games at center before suffering a leg injury late in his senior season, though he returned after missing three games to play in the Rose Bowl and national championship.
NFL Draft picks 2015: Hroniss Grasu taken by Bears in 3rd round
The Chicago Bears have taken Hroniss Grasu in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Grasu, a three-time All-Pac-12 selection, earned second-team All-American honors in his senior campaign and was a Rimington Award finalist for the nation’s best center. He was the leader of a Ducks offensive line that paved the way for the fourth-most rushing yards of any FBS team during his four-year career at Oregon (2011-14), and averaged a nation’s-best 6.1 yards per rush in that span.
Limited by an injury at the Combine in February, Grasu didn’t work out in Indianapolis, but he was able to participate at Oregon’s pro day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.03 seconds, had a short shuttle time of 4.2 seconds and a 3-cone time of 7.84 seconds, displaying the athleticism that scouts think will help him become a quality starting center at the next level.
At 6’3, 297 pounds, Grasu appears to be an ideal fit in a zone-blocking scheme because of his lateral quickness. Although he lacks the weight of a prototypical offensive lineman, his exceptional awareness and high football intelligence gives him a good chance to have a lengthy and productive career in the NFL.
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