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Chicago Bears 2016 Roster Turnover: Is Hroniss Grasu ready to be the starting Center?

In this 13 part series we'll take an in depth look at each position group for the Chicago Bears with an eye towards the 2016 season. We'll speculate on who stays, who goes, and some potential additions we'd like to see general manager Ryan Pace make.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Hroniss Grasu - signed through 2018 - By now we all know what the plan was for Grasu as a rookie. He was to be on the 53 man roster all season long, but the Bears had no intention of playing him. His workout regimen during the season was different than his fellow linemen, with Grasu focusing on bulking up and getting stronger, instead of doing lighter weights to stay in shape like his line-mates.

Injuries forced the Bears to play the 3rd round draft pick, and even though he was over-matched at times, I thought he played ok (for a rookie). He still has to get stronger at the point of attack, but perhaps a full offseason in an NFL program will get his body ready. Grasu will compete for the starting center job in 2016 and may the best man win.

Will Montgomery - free agent - I thought Montgomery was playing good football before he injured his leg against the Raiders during their week 4 match-up. If he's fully healed from his fractured tibia, I'd like to see the Bears bring him back. He's probably a veteran minimum type of payer, so the risk is minimal. If he proves he can make the team, he has some guard experience too, and Bears' fans all know that right guard needs an upgrade.

Cornelius Edison - signed through 2017 - Chicago signed Edison to a reserve/futures contract after spending some time on the Bears practice squad. As a senior at Portland State last year, he was named the Rimington Award winner as the top center in the nation at the NCAA FCS level. He started games at both center and left guard during his time in college.

2016 OUTLOOK - The Bears learned that left guard Matt Slauson makes a pretty good backup center and that will factor into their plans moving forward.

I still do think they have to add a veteran presence to compete with Grasu however. Whether that is Montgomery again, or maybe a guy like Stefen Wisniewski, who the Bears had some interest in before. Manuel Ramirez has a history with Bears head coach John Fox and experience at both center and guard.

I can't see the Bears drafting a "center" since Grasu looks to be future at the position, but I can see the Bears drafting an interior offensive lineman. Someone that they can project to both center and guard like Notre Dame's Nick Martin.

Who do you guys think will be the starting center for the Bears in 2016?