NFL Draft: Bears take Iowa center Logan Jones No. 57

Less than two months after starting center Drew Dalman abruptly announced his retirement, the Bears used their first of two second-round picks on his long-term replacement, drafting Iowa’s Logan Jones with the No. 57 pick.

Jones won the Rimington Trophy last year, which is given to the best center in college football.

When Dalman retired, the Bears quickly pivoted and traded for the Patriots’ Garrett Bradbury. He’s entering the final year of his contract, though, and the Bears couldn’t pass on the chance to add a player from one of the premier offensive lineman development programs in America.

The Iowa-born center was a team captain last year. He won state tiles in the shot put and discus in high school.

The Bears entered Friday night with three Day 2 picks, starting with No. 57 overall. They used their first-round pick, No. 25, on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman on Thursday night.

The Bears still have needs at edge rusher, defensive tackle, cornerback and even wide receiver.