Drew Dalman

Summary

Drew Dalman was selected in Round 4 (#114 Overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Stanford University. The son of former NFL center Chris Dalman, Drew entered the league with a strong technical foundation and advanced football intelligence. At Stanford, he was a multi-year starter and team captain, anchoring an offensive line known for its communication and versatility, and earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention recognition during his collegiate career. Since entering the NFL, Dalman has parlayed his durability and run-blocking efficiency into a big pay day as a free agent with the Chicago Bears. He is widely regarded as a high-character, intelligent, and dependable professional, praised for leadership, preparation, and command of the offensive front.

Strengths

• Football IQ & Communication: Excellent at setting protections, identifying fronts, and coordinating line calls. Calm, confident presence trusted to direct traffic up front.

• Athleticism for Position: Mobile center with good lateral quickness and effective on reach blocks and second-level climbs.

• Run-Blocking Technique: Strong angles and leverage and fits well in zone-based run schemes. Maintains positioning through contact and rarely overextends.

• Consistency: Reliable snap-to-snap performer who minimizes mental errors and missed assignments. Has handled starter-level snap volume without significant availability issues.

Weaknesses

• Play Strength vs. Power: Can be stressed by massive nose tackles and power rushers. Wins with positioning and technique rather than raw strength.

• Anchor in Pass Protection: Functional but not dominant and may require guard help against elite interior rushers.

• Length Limitations: Average arm length can make sustaining blocks against longer defenders more challenging.

• Ceiling as Dominant Interior Player: More effective as a steady organizer than a physically imposing tone-setter.

Outlook

Dalman is best suited for zone-based and balanced offensive systems that emphasize movement, angles, and intelligence at the center position. His athleticism and processing speed make him particularly effective in schemes that require centers to reach, pull, and operate in space, while his communication skills enhance overall offensive cohesion. Dalman’s presence allows quarterbacks and play-callers to operate with confidence in protection identification and run-game execution. Dalman projects as a solid, long-term NFL starting center and steadying hand for young QB Caleb Williams with value rooted in reliability, intelligence, and scheme fit. While he may never be among the league’s most physically dominant interior linemen, his consistency, leadership, and technical proficiency give him a high floor and sustained starter value. Teams prioritizing stability, communication, and efficient run-game execution will continue to view Dalman as a dependable anchor in the middle of the offensive line.