LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have selected Oregon center Hroniss Grasu in the third round of the NFL draft with the 71st pick.
Grasu, who is 6-foot-3, 297 pounds, started 52 games at Oregon and was second-team All-American. He played on the same line as current Bears guard Kyle Long two years ago.
The Bears currently have 32-year-old center Will Montgomery on the roster after signing him in free agency. Veteran center Roberto Garza was waived in the offseason.
It's the first time since 2008 the Bears have drafted two offensive players in the first three rounds.
Grasu anchored an offensive line at Oregon that paved the way for a running attack that finished first in the Pac-12 for the eighth straight year.