The centers are as usual a
workmanlike group. No superstars here, but the center
can be the weak point or the strong point on any line.
There are a couple of very good centers and one who may be a
future Hall of Famer in Nick Mangold.
Top
Centers
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Nick Mangold, 6-4, 300, Ohio State:
Mangold can make all the blocks that
count. A devastating run blocker that
blows defenders backwards he is nowhere
near as good a pass blocker, but most
centers are not. Mangold has made 21
straight starts and is ready to step in
immediately and start for the next
decade. This center will make
all the calls before the snap and allow
the line to play as a cohesive unit. He
has the desired size you look for in a
lineman, and even better, he has that
nasty streak you look for along with the
smarts to become something special. On a
par with LeCharles Bentley.
Mangold will need to continue to improve his lower
body strength in order to match up better versus
bigger, stronger NT's in the NFL. However, he
possesses the frame to add bulk and has the work
ethic to do so. Mangold also owns all the other
physical and mental abilities that it takes in order
to develop into a very good starting center in the
NFL and very soon. Mangold is clearly the best
center prospect in the 2006 class and we expect him
to come off the 2006 draft board in the late in the
first round or early in the second round.
FoxSports:
Big, strong, smart, tough and experienced. Started
every game since taking over for an injured Alex
Stepanovich (now with the Arizona Cardinals) in 2003
and developed into the unquestioned leader of the
Buckeyes' talented offensive line. Makes all the
calls up front. Offensive line coach Jim Bollman
rates him on a par with former Buckeye All-American
and 2001 Rimington Award winner LeCharles Bentley,
the two-time Pro Bowler who just signed a mega-deal
with Cleveland
2. Greg Eslinger, 6-3,
292, Minnesota: Many have Eslinger rated above
Mangold, and in college that was true, but in the
NFL he will have some size problems unless he is in
the perfect offensive system. Eslinger is a guy with
no ego or off the field issues, he just truly loves
to play football.
Eslinger excels in Minnesota's zone-blocking scheme.
He still needs to improve his bulk and strength but
he does not have much room left on his frame to
grow. Eslinger will fit best in the NFL for a team
that covets mobility over size, and he has the
zone-blocking experience to immediately contribute
in a similar scheme. His feet, intelligence,
technique and athleticism are unparalleled in the
2006 center class, which is why we grade him out as
the top prospect at his position.
FoxSports:
Winner of the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best
center and Outland Trophy as the nation's top
interior lineman (offense or defense). Three-time
first-team All-Big Ten selection. At his best on the
move in leading the sweep and holds up well against
athletic defensive tackles, but may need bulk to
hold his own against power rushers. Would be served
well to get drafted by an Alex Gibbs-influenced
line, such as the ones used in Atlanta, Denver, etc
3. Chris Chester, 6-4,
303, Oklahoma
:
A developmental prospect with virtually no
experience as he spent most of his collegiate career
lined up at tight end. Nonetheless he is intriguing
as he learned the position quickly and played very
well. It says something about a player if they can
change positions and start in one year in the Big
Twelve.
He
moved to the offensive line during the 2005
off-season and he started four games at guard as
well as three games at center during his senior
season. However, he missed four games with knee and
hand injuries. Chester doesn't have a lot of
experience at center because he primarily lined up
at tight end during his first four seasons at
Okalahoma and he had some problems staying healthy
during his sophomore and senior seasons. As a
result, he is a developmental prospect that needs to
work on his technique. However, there is a lot to
like about his upside and versatility
The rest of the best
Jason Spitz, 6-3,
313, Louisville
Ryan Cook, 6-7, 328, New Mexico
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