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.
I like this, I hope Ieanachor is there at 1-28. I'm meh on Pregnon at 2-38 and I've got a bias against Clemson/South Carolina players. Do not want. Give me Dunker at 2-38.
Yeah, I'll pass on a rookie center. Unless there's a special one. There's some good ones in this class, but no day one starters IMHO.
I really want Iheanachor. I like Dunker a lot too but I'm going Pregnon because I don't want 2 rookies on the right side and Pregnon would be a day 1 LG for me. Ersery-Pregnon-Biadasz-Howard-Iheanachor could be a kick ass crew by the end of the season and would immediately be an improvement driving the dline off the line. Add Kolar at TE and Allegeier at tailback and CJ's looking at a whole lot more 3rd and shorts and the play action has a lot more bite.
I dont think Max makes it to 1-28 after the combine. I get why you dont want 2 rookies playing next to each other.
