hagan714

Many teams believe center is more about scheme, intangibles and desired skill level. Thus, the overall rankings vary from team to team as much as any position in the draft.
It would not be surprising to see just three or four center prospects taken on the first day of the draft. But there are six to eight others who could become steady backups if not eventual starters in the league.

1. Ryan Kalil, C, 6027, 299, 4.96, USC

The leader of the Trojans' prolific offensive line is very durable and experienced as a 3 year starter. An extremely hard worker and great leader on and off the field. He will be considered undersized in certain blocking schemes but he has proven to be a great techinician with excellent footwork and student of the game. He find a hole in the defender's game and exploit it on more plays than he is beaten. Ryan is very quick off the snap and to his assignment. He has quick feet and gets out of his stance and into proper position off the snap.

Not the biggest or the strongest, and as a center will not be that sexy pick in the first or even 2nd round. Kalil can struggles at times when faced with a man over him.

His competitive nature and high football IQ make him one of the better all-around center prospects in several years.Scouts loved his easy going attitude and he wowed them with a 4.96 40 time, the 3rd fastest among offensive linemen. He solidified himself as the top center prospect in the process. Will be solid contributor to the team that takes him at the next level. Ryan is a very solid prospect

2. Josh Beekman - 6019, 309, 5.36, Boston College (OG/OC)

Beekman is a compact blocker that plays with good balance and a strong base at the point of attack. Although he might be undersized to play guard, he has an ideal frame for the middle and can handle bigger, bull rushers thanks to his large upper body and strong hands. A powerful and nasty run blocker that delivers a wallop at point of attack. Tenacious player that possesses good awareness, and agility and can block on the move. Josh is smart, athletic and technically sound pass protector. Beekman earned high marks from teammates and opposing prospects for playing hard. Gives a good effort on every play.

He struggles to maintain his blocks down field. Athleticism and quickness are not special. Footwork needs refinement. He seems stiff. His range and mobility are limited and will have some trouble with quick and speedy defenders. Plays a little high and will lunge when blocking in space. Arms are shorter than ideal. Doesn’t always finish his blocks. He could work on his overall conditioning as a few less pounds might make him more agile/flexible.

Could play Center or Guard at the next level. Would fit well in a “run oriented” zone blocking scheme. Loves the game and is committed to it. An excellent all-around player who doesn't necessarily stand out in any one area but does everything well. The type of guy who may never be an All-Pro but is the classic B.C. lineman who'll play and start in the league for a long time.

3. Samson Satele - 6025, 300 5.25, Hawaii (OG/OC)

Hawaii's best pro prospect so far this decade. A freakish athlete for a person of his body type. Great natural strength and speed. Quick from snap to contact. Equally devastating as a run blocker or a pro-style pass protector. Very quick in limited areas, and can pull with outstanding quickness.Delivers a real pop and is able to sustain his blocks and keep his feet moving upon contact. Has played in an offense that makes him a very seasoned pass protector. Even with his wide base he is light on his feet and he uses his hands well in pass pro. Does not get caught in hand fights. Is rarely on the ground. He has good recognition of the defense and can make the line calls.

Can miss occassionally when pulling. His speed can sometimes be used against him. Height is not ideal, but adequate.

He is what he is, which is pretty darned good. One of the best dual-purpose interior linemen in this draft. Durable 4-year starter at a variety of positions. Has done it all, another transplanted offensive guard who might find greater success inside thanks to his body type, smarts and intangibles. Versatility is a huge plus. Little upside. May have maxed out.

4. Doug Datish - 6041, 302, 5.13, Ohio St. (OG/OC)

Datish is extraordinarily versatile with starting experience at center, guard and tackle. He has good quickness, athleticism, mobility and is technically sound (does all the little things). Doug is a nasty and plays with a killer instinct. A good athlete for his size who keeps hands on you until the play is over. With a frame to add some weight and bulk up.Smart and a hard worker with good intangibles.

A bit overrated and is not in great shape. Hasn't had a lot of starting experience at any one position. Does not get much of an initial push, has short arms and plays too high at times. Despite his size he is not overly strong or powerful and can be too aggressive. A 'tweener who might not be a perfect fit at any pro position. Looks maxed.

Datish is one of the better center prospects. Played guard early in his career, left tackle as a junior and then moved to center as a senior to replace Nick Mangold. At the absolute least he could be an extremely valuable backup at the next level and potentially a whole lot more.

5. Leroy Harris - 6024, 302, 5.35, N. Carolina St. (OG/OC)

Harris is a big, strong and smart versatility player with the ability to play either inside spot on the OL. He has a ton of experience as a four-year starter. He is smart with good awareness and instincts that allow him to takes good angles to defenders. Leroy is a tough, powerful player that has the killer instinct to finish plays. Good drive. Stout and holds his ground and it is difficult to shed once he's locked on. Hard worker with excellent intangibles

Somewhat undersized and needs to get bigger to get a better push. Isn't a mauler. Not overly fast or agile so he has a bit of trouble in space. Needs to develop better quickness Struggles with speed. Some minor durability concerns.

A jack-of-all-trades who does everything well but nothing great. Harris is married and has a child. Has starting potential at the pro level but should at least be a top backup. Marginal upside.

6. Scott Stephenson - 6032, 297, 5.20, Iowa St (OG/OC)

He is a hard worker with ideal agility and toughness who started every game the past two years despite surgeries on both shoulders. Great size for a center and a very intense player. Has a motor that never stops.A decent athlete with good quickness, mobility and is known for finishing off blacks downfield. Does a nice job in space. Smart and a hard worker with top intangibles. Has decent size and the frame to get a little bigger

Somewhat raw and is still learning all the aspects of playing the position. Footwork is a bit of a concern. His shoulders might concern some teams and he needs to increase his lower body strength. Not overly stout at the point of attack and plays too high at times.

Stephenson began his career as a defensive line recruit at Minnesota before transferring and becoming an All-Big 12 performer at center in Ames. More of a zone-blocker and may not be a fit for every scheme. A prospect whose stock is really on the rise.

7. Dan Mozes 6025, 293, 5.35, West Virgina

Has been talked about as an elite center for a long time, and has always lived up to it. Dan is a smart, versatile, tough and a solid tactician who is equally effective in both major phases. Very quick from snap to contact. Built compactly and is very, very strong. Hits you and you stay hit. Can get into secondary blocks, takes good angles and can usually hit a moving target. A solid pass blocker who plays with good technique and feel for the position. Sets up quick, gets good position and can wall defenders from the ball. Nastiness and aggressiveness. Never takes a play off and plays with passion. Competitive. Few weaknesses. Has a great personality and will work hard and never give anyone lip.

Lacks dominating strength and a good anchor. Doesn’t get much movement in the run game. Can be overwhelmed by bigger defenders. Allows defenders into his body too often. Arms a shorter than ideal. Doesn't get out on the second-level as well as some other interior linemen in this draft. Not a great shotgun snapper.

Great upbringing and character. Four year starter and all-American. Twice voted a Big East first teamer. Best fit is in zone blocking scheme…. as a backup. Late 2nd round-to-early 3rd. His draft positioning has slipped some because of all the underclass talent that had come into the draft, but his play hasn't slipped at all.

8. Dustin Fry - 6025, 315, 5.40 Clemson (OG/OC)

Fry has a wealth of experience in the shotgun formation and delivers the ball with great velocity and accuracy. He also was a primary factor behind the Tigers' punishing ground attack. Displays excellent balance and stays on his feet. He has a very strong upper body with a wide base and packs a solid initial punch to stun and plays with superb leverage. Powerful with outstanding strength and is a real mauler in the running game. He likes to roughhouse in the middle. Tough and a hard worker with good intangibles.

Fry is not very quick or athletic and has limited mobility. His footwork and agility are average. Struggles with speed and in space. He has some minor durability concerns. Only started for two years and is still raw

An intriguing prospect who could be a workout warrior but he looks like a prototypical Center and could also project to guard.
Potential might be all but maxed out.