I think there is zero chance that they go into the draft expecting to draft a starter on the offensive line. They are going to sign free agents to have a reasonable starting five without needing to draft a starter.
None of these centers in the draft will be 21 year old rookies. They are all 23, 24 years old with five to six years of college football experience on top of being married with 2 kids, a mortgage, car payments, life insurance and a financial investment plan.
NIL$ has changed NFL draft prospects. They are all staying in college as long as they legally can because the college money is there with the exception of a handful of Junior athletic freaks who know they will be drafted in the 1st round. The NFL rookie has changed. The prospects are coming from almost all power conference teams. They have nutrionists, personal trainers, workout specialists, online classes, etc. The prospects are all staying in school 5-6 years and far more experience than the true juniors that were all coming out five years ago. A lot of the prospects have changed multiple schools which has given them a chance to work in different programs and learn to adjust. Five years ago the draft was loaded with true juniors because prospects wanted to maximize their nfl earnings.
In a perfect world thats probably true. But in this world where guys like Ingram are projected at $10+M per year Im not so sure about that.
Fano drops and Freeling rises is my guess. Still think Iheanachor is there at 28. Then need Pregnon at 38 and Houston should be on the way to better days offensively. Spending smart in FA to surround Ersery and those 2 moving forward is the way. Additionally, Blake Miller's weight and length make him my plan B if Iheanachor is gone by 28.
The 25' class only had one quality center and that was Jared Wilson from Georgia who New England drafted and used at guard. His rookie grades were disappointing.
Last year wasn't a good draft for Centers. Only three were drafted. Jared Wilson was a third round and started for the Patriots. Drew Kendall was a 5th rounder and Jonah Monheim was a 7th rounder. Looking at guards, Booker, Zabel, Donovan Jackson, Rutledge, Fairchild, and Savanaia were all drafted in the first three rounds, started last year and had successful rookie seasons,
Zach Frazier, center from West Virginia, had a very nice rookie season in 24' for the Steelers. He was drafted at 51.
