1. Mason Cole, Michigan
2. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
3. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas (shown right)
4. Coleman Shelton, Washington
5. Scott Quessenberry, UCLA
6. Will Clapp, LSU
7. Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
8. Jake Bennett, Colorado State
9. Brian Allen, Michigan State
10. Nick Linder, Miami
2. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
3. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas (shown right)
4. Coleman Shelton, Washington
5. Scott Quessenberry, UCLA
6. Will Clapp, LSU
7. Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
8. Jake Bennett, Colorado State
9. Brian Allen, Michigan State
10. Nick Linder, Miami
Center is one of the least drafted positions in the NFL. In the past ten years, the average amount of centers taken per draft class is 5.66. This doesn't mean the position isn't important, however. Today's great offensive lines all have Pro-Bowl caliber centers (Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Raiders, Steelers), and fortunately for the many teams lacking that talent, the 2018 draft class has plenty of options to choose from.
The 2018 center class seems to have a unanimous number one prospect in Mason Cole. At 6'5'' and 305 pounds, Cole has ideal size to play center. The film shows a strong blocker with a solid base and good knowledge of angles. Cole hails from a pro-style offense and has 38 consecutive starts on Michigan's offensive line despite being only 21 years old for the upcoming season. Cole has been the man since he stepped on campus and will be a top-50 pick. Behind Mason Cole is another Big Ten offensive lineman in Michael Deiter. Deiter is huge at 6'6'' and 325 pounds, and like Cole, he comes from a pro-style offense that churns out NFL players. Deiter is well coached, strong, and athletic enough to pull. He shouldn't come off the board very far behind Cole. Coming in at third is Frank Ragnow, a Pro Football Focus darling (#1 overall rated center from 2016) and rock for the Razorbacks. Ragnow has started 26 straight games and has not allowed a sack in two years. Ragnow is a rare athlete for the center position and excels when asked to pull. In open space he swallows up defenders and opens up holes for runners. Ironically, Ragnow's biggest weakness is in his pass protection. Ragnow plays way too upright and leaves himself prone to being bull rushed way too many times to be comfortable. This can be coached and fixed, however, so he does not drop too far. Coleman Shelton is yet another pro prospect from the loaded Washington Huskies. He may be a little undersized at 6'4'' and 285 pounds, but on film he shows the strength of a guy over 300 pounds (he more than held his own against Stevie T from USC, who is 330 pounds). Shelton is also very athletic and second only to Ragnow in terms of pulling. He has starter potential. Another player with starting potential is Scott Quessenberry, the younger brother of David Quessenberry (2013 draft pick of the Texans). Quessenberry is a short, squat, compact center who anchors well in pass pro. He isn't flashy, but he gets the job done.
The 2018 center class seems to have a unanimous number one prospect in Mason Cole. At 6'5'' and 305 pounds, Cole has ideal size to play center. The film shows a strong blocker with a solid base and good knowledge of angles. Cole hails from a pro-style offense and has 38 consecutive starts on Michigan's offensive line despite being only 21 years old for the upcoming season. Cole has been the man since he stepped on campus and will be a top-50 pick. Behind Mason Cole is another Big Ten offensive lineman in Michael Deiter. Deiter is huge at 6'6'' and 325 pounds, and like Cole, he comes from a pro-style offense that churns out NFL players. Deiter is well coached, strong, and athletic enough to pull. He shouldn't come off the board very far behind Cole. Coming in at third is Frank Ragnow, a Pro Football Focus darling (#1 overall rated center from 2016) and rock for the Razorbacks. Ragnow has started 26 straight games and has not allowed a sack in two years. Ragnow is a rare athlete for the center position and excels when asked to pull. In open space he swallows up defenders and opens up holes for runners. Ironically, Ragnow's biggest weakness is in his pass protection. Ragnow plays way too upright and leaves himself prone to being bull rushed way too many times to be comfortable. This can be coached and fixed, however, so he does not drop too far. Coleman Shelton is yet another pro prospect from the loaded Washington Huskies. He may be a little undersized at 6'4'' and 285 pounds, but on film he shows the strength of a guy over 300 pounds (he more than held his own against Stevie T from USC, who is 330 pounds). Shelton is also very athletic and second only to Ragnow in terms of pulling. He has starter potential. Another player with starting potential is Scott Quessenberry, the younger brother of David Quessenberry (2013 draft pick of the Texans). Quessenberry is a short, squat, compact center who anchors well in pass pro. He isn't flashy, but he gets the job done.
The next five players are headlined by Will Clapp, who is a riser candidate heading into Clapp started 11 games last season at left guard and will transition to center this year. Clapp was better than Ethan Pocic last year due to his use of angles and strength, so I expect big things from him this season. Bradley Bozeman isn't the most athletic prospect on this list, but without him, the Tide's offensive line would suffer a major blow. His strength and smarts played a big roll in Bama's offensive success last season. Jake Bennett is hoping to join former Colorado State Ram and center Weston Richburg next year in the NFL. Bennett play with good leverage and has impressive strength. Bennett can take on huge nose tackles in the passing game and has enough athleticism to get to the second level. Brian Allen is a little undersized at 6'2'' and 302 pounds, but Allen uses his short stature to win with leverage. With 38 career starts, Allen will at the very least provide experienced depth for an NFL team. Nick Linder is the brother of Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Linder, and he shows great potential in his film. He needs to gain more strength as he can be a ragdoll to big nose tackles, but he is light on his feet and knows how to use angels to open holes.
Match-ups to Watch:
Colorado State vs Alabama, September 16th
This could either be the best or worst day of Jake Bennett's life. If he can hold his own against Da'Ron Payne and the rest of the Alabama defensive line, he will fly up draft boards.
Florida State vs Alabama, September 2nd
Surprised? This matchups makes the list again as it features two decent but not elite centers in Alec Eberle (Florida State) and Bradley Bozeman. Eberle gets to go against Payne,while Bozeman will lineup across from Derrick Nnadi. An impressive performance will significantly help their draft stock.
LSU vs Florida, October 7th
Florida and LSU are defensive line factories, so for pro center prospects Will Clapp and Cameron Dillard (Florida), this is a huge matchup on the way to an NFL uniform.
Florida and LSU are defensive line factories, so for pro center prospects Will Clapp and Cameron Dillard (Florida), this is a huge matchup on the way to an NFL uniform.
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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted
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