Rating the Centers 2016 Draft

[Mitch]

During a recent radio interview with MJ, Terry McDonough may have tipped the Cardinals' hand in the draft when he gushed about Alabama C Ryan Kelly (6-4, 297) and avowed that Kelly is the one "lock" at center to be drafted in the first round.

The question is---how would you rate the other top center prospects in this draft in relation to Kelly? Let's take a look at some tape and see for ourselves.

When I evaluate centers---the three things I focus on are: (1) feet; (2) base; (3) leverage. I think playing center is much like wrestling---brute strength doesn't always win---technique, footwork and leverage do.

Ryan Kelly (6-4, 297, Alabama):

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Kelly was having a good game until the last drive. Check out the last two plays at the 3:50 and 4:12 marks---DT Robert Nkemdiche knocks him backward on the first play and Kelly recovers and then on the next play Kelly fails to sustain his block on the Miss's inside twist which causes Coker to throw a game ending interception.

Nick Martin (6-4, 296, Notre Dame):

Scroll ahead to see snaps from Kelly and Martin---

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Jack Allen (6-2, 297, Michigan St.):

Check out his game versus Ohio St.:

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Max Tuerk (6-5, 285, USC):

Coming off torn ACL in October---was thought to be a top 50 pick before then. Interesting film study with Matt Kalil.

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Austin Blythe (6-2, 291, Iowa):

Gritty player---check out this game against Pitt.

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Evan Boehm (6-2, 309, Missouri):

Good drive blocker....here's a look versus Arkansas St.:

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I will return with my evaluations---I am very interested in yours if you have the time.

 

[football karma]

Keim on D&W was asked about the centers-- and I will paraphrase

Loves Ryan Kelley -- thinks he will be a good football player, smart and physical

Likes Nick Martin - "not the athlete his brother is, but a good player"

Matt Tuerk- asked if he liked him, Keim said "yes"

Take if FWIW

 

[az jam]

Keim on D&W was asked about the centers-- and I will paraphrase

Loves Ryan Kelley -- thinks he will be a good football player, smart and physical

Likes Nick Martin - "not the athlete his brother is, but a good player"

Matt Tuerk- asked if he liked him, Keim said "yes"

Take if FWIW

Also heard the interview. Keim said that the Cards interviewed Kelly, Martin and Tuerk at the Combine.He does like Kelly but also said that Martini is tough and smart too.

I think the Cards would go after Kelly first and then Martin. I like both because they have the experience and size. Both are 6"4". Allen measured at 6 ' 1" at the Combine. IMO too short.

Cards would have to take Kelly or Martin with their first pick unless the traded down into the beginning of round 2. Tuerk could be there at round 3 but that is a risk. Blythe is a sleeper, could be a surprise, also concerned about his size and read that he has short arms.

 

[Harry]

I can't picture taking one of these guys in round 1. Kelly is very fragile and not very strong. Martin is not very athletic and can't seem to hit a moving target either when pulling or on the second level. Tuerk, even if you discount the injury, is not the trench warfare kind of guy. Typically I like a gritty guy at center. Also he has a weird way of snapping the ball. To me Blythe is the best choice. You can likely get him in the 4th round. He does have short arms and might struggle on stunts coming up the middle, but most centers do. For my money I'd wait until next year.

 

[Lagerfilled]

What about Glasgow?

 

[juza76]

What about Glasgow?

Is in Scotland...rain a lot over there but they made good whiskey

 

[Harry]

Glasgow does come from a school with a history of turning out good O-lineman. Never dismiss that concept. Those programs often attract the best prospects. It's like Penn State with linebackers. First, I'm not crazy about a guy who got punished twice for alcohol-related violations. Second, most scouts project him at guard, which is where he worked out at the Senior Bowl. He's not very athletic, but he does have grit. Finally at 6'6" he makes it tough to see the passing lanes if he gets stood up. I'd pass.

 

[az jam]

I can't picture taking one of these guys in round 1. Kelly is very fragile and not very strong. Martin is not very athletic and can't seem to hit a moving target either when pulling or on the second level. Tuerk, even if you discount the injury, is not the trench warfare kind of guy. Typically I like a gritty guy at center. Also he has a weird way of snapping the ball. To me Blythe is the best choice. You can likely get him in the 4th round. He does have short arms and might struggle on stunts coming up the middle, but most centers do. For my money I'd wait until next year.

And go with A.Q. Shipley??? Sorry Harry but that would be a disaster.

 

[Mitch]

Here are my thoughts:

Most Physically Gifted: Ryan Kelly---but he does not play with the kind of technique and consistency that would warrant a first round pick.

Most Technically Sound: Nick Martin---he has crafted his skills and developed nicely as a player and a leader, but he is not physically dominant, perhaps partly because of the knee injury he suffered a couple of years ago.

Most Bounce and Passion---Jack Allen---this guy is a baller, he just loves playing every snap. He lacks photo-typical size and has short arms, but he makes up for it with his superb ability to leverage.

Nastiest and Toughest---Evan Boehm---he plays with a tremendous edge and he manages to make everything compact---excellent at influencing his man or decoying the play, as in showing pass pro and then releasing upfield on a QB draw.

Smartest and Savviest---Max Tuerk---a real student of the game and it shows in his awareness and quick ability to adjust on the fly. Is a good athlete, not sure how long it will take him to rehab and be ready to play.

Strongest at the Point of Attack---Austin Blythe---like Jack Allen who also was a state champion wrestler, Blythe understand leverage and how to win one on one battles. Plus he ran the fastest 20 yard shuttle at the Combine.

Conclusion:

* I really don't think the Cardinals should draft a C with their first pick because the depth at this position is 4-5 rounds deep. I think if I were SK I would take my chances that Allen, Boehm, Tuerk or Blythe will be on the board in Round 4.

* My guess as to which player SK likes enough to pass on drafting Ryan Kelly in round one---Evan Boehm. In fact, I could see Keim trading down from #29 to add another 3rd rounder and use one of the 3rd rounders on Boehm.

 

[pinetopred]

Excellent write up Mitch the more tape I watch I'm becoming a big fan of Jack Allen, undersized as you said but definitely has alot of bulldog in him, but his size is a concern. I'll have to watch more tape of Evan Boehm now. I wonder at some point if Im getting to the point of analysis paralysis when it comes to Allen and Martin because I've seen so much tape of them. I do want the cards to draft a center because I think it has been ignored for so long but I just want them to get it right and not just take one for the sake of taking one

 

[oaken1]

Here are my thoughts:

Most Physically Gifted: Ryan Kelly---but he does not play with the kind of technique and consistency that would warrant a first round pick.

Most Technically Sound: Nick Martin---he has crafted his skills and developed nicely as a player and a leader, but he is not physically dominant, perhaps partly because of the knee injury he suffered a couple of years ago.

Most Bounce and Passion---Jack Allen---this guy is a baller, he just loves playing every snap. He lacks photo-typical size and has short arms, but he makes up for it with his superb ability to leverage.

Nastiest and Toughest---Evan Boehm---he plays with a tremendous edge and he manages to make everything compact---excellent at influencing his man or decoying the play, as in showing pass pro and then releasing upfield on a QB draw.

Smartest and Savviest---Max Tuerk---a real student of the game and it shows in his awareness and quick ability to adjust on the fly. Is a good athlete, not sure how long it will take him to rehab and be ready to play.

Strongest at the Point of Attack---Austin Blythe---like Jack Allen who also was a state champion wrestler, Blythe understand leverage and how to win one on one battles. Plus he ran the fastest 20 yard shuttle at the Combine.

Conclusion:

* I really don't think the Cardinals should draft a C with their first pick because the depth at this position is 4-5 rounds deep. I think if I were SK I would take my chances that Allen, Boehm, Tuerk or Blythe will be on the board in Round 4.

* My guess as to which player SK likes enough to pass on drafting Ryan Kelly in round one---Evan Boehm. In fact, I could see Keim trading down from #29 to add another 3rd rounder and use one of the 3rd rounders on Boehm.

Just say NO to undersized short armed centers......rare would be the player who can overcome those two faults and be productive at the NFL level. We need a starter, not a good sub................. we had issues with Lyle being undersized

I like Martin, Glasgow, and Tuerk.......if it were not for the knee I would be all in on Tuerk... but he is a center and it is a knee.... Glasgow has the drinking thing.....Martin has the not very strong thing....... warts.....

Not real familiar with Boehm....but nasty is good

 

[Lagerfilled]

What about drafting Cody Whitehair or Christian Westerman and moving them to C. Both scouting reports say they can play the pivot.

 

[Lagerfilled]

BTW, Boehm was awful Senior Bowl week against most of the top DL studs. Got pushed around. That's a terrible sign for pro success.

 

[Mitch]

What about drafting Cody Whitehair or Christian Westerman and moving them to C. Both scouting reports say they can play the pivot.

I think Whitehair's versatility is especially appealing because he could play C, G or RT---the only question about center is how long it would take him to learn the position and to be ready to start. But, he could be the starting RG next year and perhaps could give D.J. Humphries a run for the starting RT job this year.

 

[Mitch]

Just say NO to undersized short armed centers......rare would be the player who can overcome those two faults and be productive at the NFL level. We need a starter, not a good sub................. we had issues with Lyle being undersized

I like Martin, Glasgow, and Tuerk.......if it were not for the knee I would be all in on Tuerk... but he is a center and it is a knee.... Glasgow has the drinking thing.....Martin has the not very strong thing....... warts.....

Not real familiar with Boehm....but nasty is good

Typically i would agree with avoiding the undersized center, but Jack Allen doesn't play small, he plays with such good leverage and he has motor feet, which Lyle Sendlein lacks. I think Jack Allen will be a good starting center in the NFL. There have been some very good small centers in this league---two of the all-time greats were Mike Webster (6-1, 297) and Dwight Stevenson (6-2, 300)---and one of the very best today is Rodney Hudson (6-2, 300).

 

[WildBB]

What about drafting Cody Whitehair or Christian Westerman and moving them to C. Both scouting reports say they can play the pivot.

This.

 

[Bodha]

I personally am not a big fan of Ryan Kelly round 1. It feels like a need reach. Like we need a C, therefore lets take a C. If you look at other Cs who went round 1, Travis Frederick and the Pouncey brothers, Kelly is not nearly the talent those guys are.

Ill understand the pick but be a little disappointed.


If I had to choose, I actually like Evan Boehm. Mizzou consistently churns out top level Olinemen. He looks good to me, in the 3rd round, where a need pick is justifiable.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I personally am not a big fan of Ryan Kelly round 1. It feels like a need reach. Like we need a C, therefore lets take a C. If you look at other Cs who went round 1, Travis Frederick and the Pouncey brothers, Kelly is not nearly the talent those guys are.

Ill understand the pick but be a little disappointed.


If I had to choose, I actually like Evan Boehm. Mizzou consistently churns out top level Olinemen. He looks good to me, in the 3rd round, where a need pick is justifiable.

Agree. I think even a guy like Glasgow in round 4-5-6 has more value/to draft pick than Kelly at 29.

 

[Snakester]

Here are my thoughts:

Most Physically Gifted: Ryan Kelly---but he does not play with the kind of technique and consistency that would warrant a first round pick.

Most Technically Sound: Nick Martin---he has crafted his skills and developed nicely as a player and a leader, but he is not physically dominant, perhaps partly because of the knee injury he suffered a couple of years ago.

Most Bounce and Passion---Jack Allen---this guy is a baller, he just loves playing every snap. He lacks photo-typical size and has short arms, but he makes up for it with his superb ability to leverage.

Nastiest and Toughest---Evan Boehm---he plays with a tremendous edge and he manages to make everything compact---excellent at influencing his man or decoying the play, as in showing pass pro and then releasing upfield on a QB draw.

Smartest and Savviest---Max Tuerk---a real student of the game and it shows in his awareness and quick ability to adjust on the fly. Is a good athlete, not sure how long it will take him to rehab and be ready to play.

Strongest at the Point of Attack---Austin Blythe---like Jack Allen who also was a state champion wrestler, Blythe understand leverage and how to win one on one battles. Plus he ran the fastest 20 yard shuttle at the Combine.

Conclusion:

* I really don't think the Cardinals should draft a C with their first pick because the depth at this position is 4-5 rounds deep. I think if I were SK I would take my chances that Allen, Boehm, Tuerk or Blythe will be on the board in Round 4.

* My guess as to which player SK likes enough to pass on drafting Ryan Kelly in round one---Evan Boehm. In fact, I could see Keim trading down from #29 to add another 3rd rounder and use one of the 3rd rounders on Boehm.

Nice write up Walter as always. Here are my thoughts on the centers in this draft.
Cody Whitehair 6-3 300- Some have him moving to center even though he played LT and guard so I watched tape on him. What I saw was a guy that if moved to center might take a year or two to get the position down but has much more upside than any center in this class in my opinion. He has the best feet, hands and movement skills over any other center. I think he could have all-pro potential at center. He can get to the second level and hit his target. In pass-pro he would easily be the best among the centers and his run blocking skills are good as well. If he is there in the third round I would pick him and not think twice.

Ryan Kelley 6-4 311- He is the most NFL ready center in this class to me that can start right away. I believe he will be an above average center. He has no real weakness to his game and is above average in everything. Strength, size, movement skills, hands, good run blocker and pass blocker ect... He doesn't have elite skills and I don't see him ever being a pro-bowl player but I like him. I would take him in the second round.

Nick Martin- 6-4 301 Good run blocker, above average strength with some attitude. Has average feet and will have trouble with quick footed interior linemen. I think he will make a decent center after two years in the league. I see him being slightly above average. I give him a third round grade.

Max Turk- 6-5 298 He has above average feet and mobility. Can pull and do a good job getting to the second level. His weakness is strength right now and whether or not he comes back ok from his injury. Big DT's can bulrush him back to the QB at this point. If he gets bigger and stronger he might turn out to be the best center in this draft but that's a big if. Before his injury I would give him a third round grade, but he could go later if teams are worried about his injury.

These are the only guys I like. Other guys like Austin Blythe(5th rd grade) to me and very average. Evan Broehm slow feet and mobility but has grit and others are not worth drafting to be a starter.

If it were up to me I would take Whitehair in the third if he is there or sign Stefan Wisnewski. If we trade back into the second round then I like Ryan Kelley.

 

[Buckybird]

If the Cards want to win a Suoer Bowl in the next 2 years I think their chances & team improves much more if I drafts a Dlineman or CB with its #1 over a C.

 

[juza76]

If the Cards want to win a Suoer Bowl in the next 2 years I think their chances & team improves much more if I drafts a Dlineman or CB with its #1 over a C.

Yes..There are positions that has impact immediately Worth a 1st round selection
a good center can be found in the 3th round

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Agree. I think even a guy like Glasgow in round 4-5-6 has more value/to draft pick than Kelly at 29.

I would take him in the 3rd to be honest. I think he would fit the Cardinals scheme very well.

 

[ARZCardinals]

The tough decision for me is if Robert N. DT is there and Kelly is there....what do you do?

 

[oaken1]

The tough decision for me is if Robert N. DT is there and Kelly is there....what do you do?

Draft Vernon Butler.