2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Hunter Nourzad

Strengths:

• Quick out of his stance to get hands on DTs
• Quick feet to stay in front of quicker DTs and the anchor to hold up against bull rush
• Heavy hands in pass protection to snatch DL
• Athleticism to handle reach blocks and get to the second level
• Has experience on the left and right side of the OL: Center will be his home in the NFL but can play both guard spots as well
• In pass protection, his speed complements a solid change of direction
• Utilizing hand techniques, he adeptly stalls and mirrors rushers
• Competitive toughness is a plus, routinely plays to the whistle
• Understands angles in the run game and utilizes athleticism to reach his spot
• Plays with great leverage and a good base
• Huge hands, almost 11 inches

Weaknesses:

• Squatty frame with short arms can lead to falling off blocks too early
• Late to identify stunts and twists far too often
• Only one year as a starter at center
• Not a people-mover in the run game
• Athletic enough, but not an elite athlete by any means
• Jack of all trades, doesn’t have one attribute that grades out better than above average
• Grip strength issues emerge, leading to a reliance on latching onto defenders in run and pass protection
• Once his arms are over-extended or his hands are displaced, opponents can easily navigate around his blocks
• Questions about functional strength

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Hunter Nourzad

Nourzad gave up 16 pressures in 2023, ranking 109th among centers in college football. That figure isn't great at first glance, but some context is needed. It was his first time playing center, 10 of those 16 pressures came in two games — vs. West Virginia in his first game at the position and vs. a damn good Ohio State team. And despite the pressures allowed, Nourzad didn't surrender a single sack. In his 11 other games, he allowed zero sacks, one QB hit, and six pressures (18th).

Nourzad's run-block grade (77.0 PFF) was good for 12th among centers in 2023. And while his 61.9 pass-block grade looks rough, it was significantly impacted by two bad games. Otherwise, he had eight games with a pass-block grade above 73.5 and four games with a grade over 80.

Nourzad is best suited for an outside zone scheme that takes advantage of his athleticism and understanding of run angles. Coaches will love his play style and toughness. His lack of elite traits and advanced age limit his upside, but his smarts, versatility, and competitive toughness give him a good chance of sticking on an NFL roster for a while. Nourzad may never be a multi-year starter, but he should be a top reserve who can fill in at multiple spots when called upon.

The Chicago Bears need a center this offseason, and I expect them to sign one in free agency or draft one with more high-end potential than Nourzad offers. But with his versatility, he could be a good second lineman taken to fill out the roster and build some depth.

Last year, Penn State center Juice Scruggs went to the Shrine Bowl and elevated his stock to get drafted in the third round. Nourzad, by all accounts, was one of the best offensive linemen at the event and could see a similar rise in his stock as we approach the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL Comparison: Casar Ruiz