2016 NFL Draft Prospects: Centers

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2016 center prospects available for the 2016 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2017 prospect. ** – denotes 2018 prospect.

This page was last updated April 26, 2016. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 311. Arm: 33.63.
   40 Time: 5.03.
   Projected Round (2016): 1-2.
   4/26/16: Kelly is tough, reliable and has good size with athletic ability. Some teams compare him to Nick Mangold and think Kelly could be a top-10 center in the NFL.
   
   Alabama had a ton of success with Kelly opening holes for Derrick Henry in 2015. Kelly is a well-rounded player. He is solid at executing double teams with quickness to the second level. Kelly can combine with guards to get movement in the ground game. He also is very reliable in pass protection. Kelly has good technique and should be able to play quickly in the NFL. Sources said that Kelly interviewed well at the combine.
   
   8/15/15: Kelly played well as a run-blocker in 2014. His pass blocking could use some improvement for the next level though. Kelly had some big shoes to fill in 2013 as the replacement for Barrett Jones, one of the most highly decorated offensive linemen in Alabama history. Kelly performed well in nine games, but the first-year starter missed four games with a knee injury.
   
   Kelly saw some action as a freshman backup in 2012 and did enough to be named to the SEC All-Freshman team. He is said to have a lot of athletic upside, but could use more bulk for the NFL.





2. Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 301. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 9.63.
   40 Time: 5.22.
   Projected Round (2016): 2-3.
   4/26/16: Martin played well for Notre Dame in 2015. He is a sound blocker who could use more strength for the NFL. Martin’s pass protection is more impressive than his run blocking for the pros. He had a strong week at the Senior Bowl and was one of the better centers in Mobile. Some teams like Martin more than Kelly, but Martin is likely to be the second center off the board.
   
   8/15/15: Martin played well for Notre Dame in 2014. He was very solid with reliable pass protection and good contributions in the ground game. For the NFL, it would help Martin if he added more strength, but he is a good athlete with quickness. Martin should have the ability to add weight and play guard as well.
   
   Martin started 11 games at center in 2012 as the replacement for Braxston Cave. Martin played well as a run-blocker and pass-protector for the Fighting Irish, but had his season end early with a torn MCL in the home finale. Martin needs to stay healthy and productive as a senior. Nick Martin is the younger brother of Zack Martin, first-round pick and instant success at guard for the Dallas Cowboys from the 2014 NFL Draft.



3. Max Tuerk, C, USC
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 298.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Tuerk played well for USC in 2015 before going out for the year with a knee injury. He showed serious quickness and athleticism in the middle of the Trojans’ line. The senior could stand to be more powerful and violent for the NFL, but he showed up at the combine almost 15 pounds heavier than his listed weight, so he is on his way to filling out his frame. Tuerk wasn’t healthy enough to work out at in Indianapolis.
   
   8/15/15: Tuerk played really well at center in 2014. He was a steady performer in the middle of a USC line that did a quality job of blocking for running back Buck Allen and quarterback Cody Kessler. There is talk that Tuerk will move to right tackle in 2015. At his listed weight and strength, he would be a better fit at center in the NFL.
   
   Tuerk has been a quality blocker for USC since being inserted into the starting lineup as a freshman in 2012. Over three years, he has 14 starts at left guard, 13 at center, five at left tackle and one at right tackle. NFL teams will love his versatility for game days.
   
   Tuerk has improved as he’s gained experience and has some natural ability as a pass-blocker. Tuerk also has some length and athleticism, and while his run blocking has improved, he still needs to add more bulk to take on NFL defensive linemen. Tuerk should be able to fill out his frame more. He has the upside to rise.



4. Graham Glasgow, C, Michigan
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 306. Arm: 33.13. Hand: 9.75.
   40 Time: 5.13.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Glasgow was one of the stars of the East-West Shrine and kept up the strong play the Senior Bowl. He was one of the only centers who could win one-on-ones with some of the top interior defensive talents like Alabama’s Jarran Reed. Glasgow was consistent throughout both weeks. He held his won in the pass-rushing one-on-ones and looked very good in the team-scrimmage sessions. With his size, Glasgow could compete at guard or center in the NFL. He started 37 games at Michigan, mainly at center, but also at guard.





5. Isaac Seumalo*, C, Oregon State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 297. Arm: 33.
   40 Time: 5.19.
   Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
   4/26/16: Seumalo returned to the field for Oregon State in 2015 and stayed healthy. He played left tackle and right guard for the Beavers, but his best position for the NFL would be center. Seumalo could stand to get stronger for the next level.
   
   8/15/15: Seumalo didn’t play in 2014 because of a foot injury, and the Beavers missed him tremendously. Seumalo quickly worked his way onto the field as he was made the starting center in his first fall practice as a freshman. Since then, he has been a reliable contributor for Oregon State. As a freshman, Seumalo was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 performer. He improved as a sophomore and was a Second-Team pick.
   
   Seumalo did a nice job of protecting quarterback Sean Mannion. Seumalo could use more strength for the NFL, but he has upside.



6. Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 294. Arm: 31.25. Hand: 10.13.
   40 Time: 5.29.
   Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
   4/26/16: Allen is a strong run blocker, and his pass protection was reliable at Michigan State. He is undersized for the NFL though and looks short of the power or athleticism to be a difference-making starter at center. Allen had a rough week at the Senior Bowl as defenders were able to get the better of him with power and speed.
   
   8/15/15: Allen had a quality 2014 season protecting Connor Cook and opening up holes for running back Jeremy Langford. Allen didn’t allow a sack in 2014 and was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection. Allen is a solid player who is intelligent and well-rounded as a blocker. He could be short on the physical skill set for the NFL, but could make up for it in other ways with his polished play.




7. Evan Boehm, C, Missouri
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 309. Arm: 31.63. Hand: 10.25.
   40 Time: 5.33.
   Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
   4/26/16: Boehm and Missouri had a mediocre season. Others rate Boehm higher, and he did earn a spot in the Senior Bowl, but he wasn’t very impressive against some good SEC competition. Boehm also struggled in Mobile as defensive linemen beat him with power and quickness. He didn’t stand out at the combine.
   
   8/15/15: Boehm has started 40 straight contests for Missouri and was the starter at center as a sophomore and junior. He has strength to him and is a well-rounded blocker.



8. Jake Brendel, C, UCLA
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 303. Arm: 31.63.
   40 Time: 5.01.
   Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
   4/26/16: Brendel played well for UCLA, but could use more power for the NFL. At the East-West Shrine, Brendel had a quality week and did well as a run blocker and pass protector. He also had a solid performance at the combine.
   
   8/15/15: Brendel had a mixed 2014 season with some good games and some rough performances. The offensive line overall allowed too much pressure on Brett Hundley. Brendel needs to improve as a senior. He won the starting center position in 2012 and turned in two solid seasons as an underclassman.





9. Matt Hegarty, C/G, Oregon
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
   Projected Round (2016): 6-FA.
   4/26/16: Hegarty transferred to Oregon for 2015, and that was smart because he wasn’t going to beat out Nick Martin for the starting center job at Notre Dame. Hegarty spent the year as the Ducks’ starting center and had a respectable season.
   
   8/15/15: Hegarty has been starting at guard for Notre Dame, but is a better fit at center as he’s undersized for the NFL. If Hegarty can gain some weight and strength, those would help him at either interior position.



10. Graham Shuler, C, Stanford
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 287.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.04.
    Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
    4/26/16: Shuler and Stanford didn’t impress in the early going of 2015, but played really well against USC and down the stretch. He was a nice run blocker for Christian McCaffrey.
    
    8/15/15: Shuler had a mixed 2014 season. He put together some good performances, but the Stanford line turned in a number of disappointing outings. Shuler needs to get more consistent in 2015. Adding strength would help him.





11. Joey Hunt, C, TCU
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 295.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
    Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
    4/26/16: Hunt had a decent senior season. He is a good college player who looks undersized for the NFL. Hunt didn’t participate in the combine.
    
    8/15/15: Hunt was an improved player in 2014 and was a Second-Team All-Big XII selection. He was part of dynamic TCU offense that set school records for points, passing yards, totals yards, first downs and plays. Hunt could stand to fill out his frame for the NFL.



12. Austin Blythe, C, Iowa
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 298. Arm: 31.5.
    40 Time: 5.36.
    Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
    4/26/16: Blythe played well for Iowa, but he needs to add weight for the next level. He really struggled at the Senior Bowl.
    
    8/15/15: Blythe was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection for his 2014 season. His run blocking is ahead of his pass blocking.



13. Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 290.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
    Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
    4/26/16: Matthews was solid overall in 2015, but he needs to get stronger and be more physical in order to pan out in the NFL. Matthews didn’t participate in an all-star game or the combine.
    
    8/15/15: Matthews had an excellent start to the 2014 season against South Carolina. He was a good run-blocker and effective in pass protection. The only games that Matthews underwhelmed in were against Mississippi State and Alabama. The junior was generally very steady for the Aggies.
    
    Matthews took over at center in 2013 and had a quality season. He needs to add more strength for the NFL, which would help improve his effectiveness in the ground game. Matthews could become a solid starter and looks like a nice fit for a zone-blocking scheme.
    
    Matthews is the son of NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. Older brother Jake Matthews was Texas A&M’s top lineman for a few years and the seventh-overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2014 NFL Draft. Another older brother, Kevin Matthews, was a 2-year starter at center for the Aggies (2008-2009).

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