1. Ryan Kelly – 6’4” 311 Lbs. 5.03 40-time Alabama Senior Age – 23 – 6.25
Overview: Kelly started the past two seasons for the Tide. He was the clear leader on an offensive line that possessed one of the most dominant running games ever assembled. His running back won the Heisman, and his team won the National Championship.
Strengths: He possess good height, weight, and speed. He has good arm length as well. Ryan is an intelligent player that shows he has the toughness to win battles in the middle. He plays with good pad level during running play. There was a reason why Henry ran wild for the Tide and Kelly is a big part of that. Ryan is excellent in double teams and he shows that he loves to finish blocks. He is at his best when he is opening up holes in the middle of the defense.
Weakness: Has trouble disengaging from his block to pick up other defensive players. Most of his vision issues come from his tendency to stay fully focused on the initial block. Ryan will need to add some bulk to be able to hold up for a whole season against today’s defensive tackles. Sometimes he is caught exaggerating blocking angles when he is outside of the tackle box.
2. Nick Martin – 6’4” 299 Lbs. 5.22 40-time Notre Dame Senior Age – 23 – 5.9
Overview: Nick has NFL bloodlines, and his brother Zach surely helps his draft stock. Nick has the ability to play any of the interior positions on the offensive line. Nick has good size, and he is more quick than fast. His feet show agility and he displays the strength needed to play in the NFL.
Strengths: There are few players in this draft that play with the same level of toughness as Nick. He consistently gets the better point of leverage and when he does he will finish the block. In pass protection he is rarely pushed backward. Shows good hand placement and often times his hands will be on the defender before anyone else on the line of scrimmage.
Weakness: Martin may have some stamina issues, the later into the game it is the more Martin’s movement seems forced. Leans too much at times. If he does not get his hands in position before his assignment, he does lose ground. Struggles when asked to block defenders on the move. Martin seems to struggle when he asked to do more than block the man in front of him.
3. Isaac Seumalo – 6’4” 303 Lbs. 5.19 40-time Oregon State RS Junior Age – 22 – 5.6
Overview: Isaac’s family grew up on the campus of Oregon State. He was highly recruited out of college. Seumalo has started for Oregon State the past three seasons. A broken foot forced Isaac to sit out the 2014 season. Seumalo has started games at four of the five positions on the offensive line. Isaac can play all five positions which makes him a true versatile offensive lineman.
Strengths: He plays with his feet underneath him at all times and he shows the ability to shadow most defensive rushers with his foot work. A true student of the position that has put in the time to know exactly what is needed to be done and how to do it. His base and balance are as good as it gets for a college prospect. Isaac is great in pass protection as well as run blocking.
Weakness: He may need to add some bulk for the long haul. Isaac seems to be comfortable simply getting his hands on the defender and needs to learn how to punch harder. Sometimes he will not finish his block. His foot injury sheds some concern on durability.
4. Graham Glasgow – 6’6” 307 Lbs. 5.13 40-time Michigan Senior Age - 23 – 5.5
Overview: Graham can play either guard or the center position. He has a level of toughness that will help him at the next level. Mobile enough to disengage from one block and take on another further down the field. Received honorable mention in the Big Ten. Glasgow started the past two seasons.
Strengths: Versatility is Graham’s best friend. He is tall with long limbs and good athleticism. He shows that his legs are strong enough to stand up to NFL defensive linemen. Consistent leg drives help him block defenders for long durations. Glasgow does not let bull rushers drive him back in pass or run blocking. His frame has the potential for him to fill out another 20 Lbs and his arms are like vines.
Weakness: Average foot quickness, sometimes his feet seem like they are cement bricks. Graham needs to work on his hand placement and he also needs to learn how to take better angles on some of his blocks. Graham has some off-field issues as well.
5. Max Tuerk – 6’5” 298 Lbs. 5.2 40-time USC Junior Age – 22 – 5.25
Overview: Max it taller than most Centers, however his arm length is rather short at 31 inches. Max is lighter than the ideal center and must add bulk if he is going to be able to hold up in the trenches. A knee injury from this past October leads to concern about durability.
Strengths: Max overcomes his short arms with excellent footwork. He uses his feet well to gain leverage in the trenches and out in space. He was consistently utilized in sweep and screen plays which shows that he can block in space. Max will wait for his defender to make the first move to ensure that his feet are in the right position. Shows decent ability utilizing his big hands and anchor to fend off bull rushes.
Weakness: Needs to add bulk without losing any foot quickness. Max may have trouble adding the bulk as he has not gained any mass in college. When Max is caught off guard and a defender gets to his side, there is no hope for Max to be able to redirect them. Has a tendency to lean on his blocks. Max has a lot of question marks along with durability concerns.
6. Matt Skura – 6’4” 305 Lbs. 5.26 40-time Duke Senior Age 23 – 5.2
Overview: First team ACC in 2015. Matt has what teams look for in a Center these days. His arm length is over 35” and he benched 225 Lbs. 30 times at his pro day. He is a four-year starter that has displayed the ability to play both guard positions as well. Smarter than the average bear.
Strengths: If an offensive line coach wrote down their desired physical traits for a center, you would get Matt. He shows tremendous balance due to being in good position at all times. A student of the position, he knows where to be in each moment. Allows defensive players to make their move before striking a block on them. Matt uses good leverage on running downs, mainly due to his ability to bend and get to ideal pad level. Uses good angles, and his smarts all throughout the game. Uses his extremely long arms very well in pass protection.
Weakness: Matt does not show the toughness you would like to see on every down. Needs a double team on running plays to move stronger defensive lineman. Needs to stay inside of the tackle box to remain effective.
7. Austin Blythe – 6’2” 298 Lbs. 5.36 40-time Iowa RS Senior Age 23 – 5.1
Overview: Austin is from one of the most renown schools for breeding NFL offensive lineman. In high school, he dominated the state in both wrestling and also playing defensive tackle. Blythe was a four-year starter at Iowa. Earned second team Big Ten honors the past two seasons.
Strengths: Durable, experienced center for strong program. Has versatility, being able to play either guard position along with center. Above average ability to block at the second level on running plays. His strong suit is in the running game where he uses his lower body strength to consistently drive his man back throughout the game. Austin shows a great ability to block in the open field as well. Has the ability to redirect pass rushers to the outside when he is beat. Tuff to move with a bull rush.
Weakness: NFL teams are moving away from the traditional center, and looking more toward the taller lengthy centers. There are some concerns that Blythe will not have the strength to be effective at the next level. Pass rushers get into his body often.
8. Evan Boehm – 6’2” 302 Lbs. 5.33 40-time Missouri Senior Age – 23 – 5.0
Overview: Evan was a four year starter in Missouri. Boehm’s size strength and speed are ideal for the center position. His anchor, experience, and foot work will translate well in the NFL. Evan could be the sleeper in this year’s center draft class.
Strengths: There are few college players that start 52 games. Amazing power that will hold up well against powerful defensive lineman. He does not lose inside of his area. On run blocks he has the ability to push his defender back. Consistent leg drive help generate rushing lanes. When he is beaten, Evan has the power to redirect his man. Evan does not stand around in the pass rush when he is unoccupied, he will find something to hit.
Weakness: Teams have moved to taller centers over the past two seasons which may hurt Evan’s stock, however some team is going to take him and they will not be disappointed. When he asked to move outside of his area, his ability to block goes down quite a bit. Needs to get stronger in his lower body.
9. Jack Allen – 6’1” 294 Lbs. 5.29 40-time Michigan State Senior Age 23 – 5.0
Overview: Former high school wrestler, which is always a plus mainly due to above average hand placement. Allen has shown the ability to utilize his wrestling background with good hand placement within the trenches. Jack is a tough four-year starter for a top notch program. Two-time USA today All-American.
Strengths: His strong hands make it seem easy for Jack to control his assignment once he is latched on. On running downs, he can maneuver into a spot that isolates his defender from the play. When is beat Allen shows the leg drive to redirect his man. Loves to finish blocks and put the hurt on defenders. Approaches blocks at the second level under control and ready to lay an effective block. On passing downs he shows good ability to fend off rushers with strong hand use.
Weakness: Jack plays with stiffness that unfortunately cannot be improved through coaching. Second level blocks are hit and miss with him. He can get setup by savvy linebackers that beat him to the spot. Known for holding in college. Not able to with stand strong bull rushes. Some teams will instantly write him off due to lack of size.
10. Jake Brendel – 6’3” 303 Lbs. 5.01 40-time UCLA Senior Age 23 – 4.6
Overview: Jake has a good blend of height, weight, and especially straight line speed. He was a strong leader for the UCLA offense. Another player that started all four seasons at the college level. Not all teams will value his strengths enough to give him a real chance to develop, however teams that value intangibles over tangibles, may be willing to groom him into a starter.
Strengths: Works diligently to stick to his man on passing downs. His agility suits him well on running plays, he has the ability to get to the side of his defender to create running creases. Approaches blocks on the second level wisely, rarely getting to his assignment out of control. Jake never had any serious injury concerns. Overall above average in both run and passing downs.
Weakness: Brendel is too slim for the next level, and it is a concern that he may not be able to add any more bulk. He has a tendency to stand up in his blocks which will prove to be a major flaw in the NFL if it is not corrected. When he gets moving to his left or his right, it is difficult for him to stop and go the other way. Needs to work on having better balance. Arm length is also a concern.
