The Chicago Bears selected Iowa center Logan Jones with the 57th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In four years at Iowa, Jones started 51 games at center and was an Unanimous All-American this past season, and he was the Rimington Trophy winner as the nation’s top center. Jones fits what the Bears are looking for at center, and he could challenge for the starting job as a rookie.
Here’s a quick rundown on Jones:
The Basics
Height: 6-foot-2, 7/8 inches
Weight: 299 pounds
Age: 24
From: Council Bluffs, IA
Breakdown
Undersized but extremely athletic center prospect. Great burst and fast feet. Four-year starter at center. Short arms didn’t limit him much as a pass blocker but may show up more at the NFL level. May struggle to seal blocks in the run game. Bigger, longer defensive tackles will give him trouble. –Aryton Ostley
Dane Brugler’s Scouting Report
A four-year starter at Iowa, Jones was a fixture at center (right-handed snapper) in offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s zone-blocking scheme. After enrolling as a 260-pound defensive tackle, he made the transition to center and admirably filled Tyler Linderbaum’s shoes. He gave up only one sack over his junior and senior seasons and had a prolific 2025 season, taking home the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center. He was a significant factor in the Hawkeyes winning the 2025 Joe Moore Award as college football’s best offensive line.
Jones is lightning quick in his snap-to-step process and has an instinctive feel for leverage and blocking angles. With his vise-grip hands, he can latch, drive his feet and torque defenders to create running room. Though he has terrific range and recovery quickness, his lack of length stands out on reach blocks and when attempting to combat powerful defensive tackles in a phone booth. His competitive temperament and toughness are unquestioned — he taught himself to snap with his left hand while managing a right-hand injury in 2024.
They Said It
“We felt convicted as a staff, coaching staff and personnel side, that he was our guy. The mental is top notch. We saw all the traits that we’re looking for, whether it’s the run game or in pass-pro, and we brought him in for a top 30, and I think that’s when it really solidified it for us that ‘yeah, he’s got the makeup.’ The guys at Iowa were raving about him, and then just the next level in terms of the football IQ as well. So, I think none of us have any qualms that he’ll be able to download the information and, once again, it’s just another spot that we’ll have high level competition at.” — HC Ben Johnson
RAS card
Grade: B+
There were other options at the center position for Chicago, but they identified Jones as their target and he brings a credible resume to the Windy City with a potential opportunity to compete for the starting job as a rookie. Jones took over Tyler Linderbaum at Iowa, no easy task, and went on to be a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, and the aforementioned All-American for his stellar season this past year. The center position is one of the most important in Ben Johnson’s offense, and they wanted to make sure to bring in a player who could be there for the long run. — Mike Pendleton
Highlights
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Logan Jones
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
