2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Center

6/18/25: Lew broke into the starting lineup during his freshman season and was an impressive blocker for the Tigers. In 2024, Lew was even better and is a well-balanced blocker. He is strong and agile as a run blocker while being very reliable in pass protection. Lew looks like a potential long-term starter for the NFL.

2/11/25: Brailsford started at center for Alabama in 2024. He played well for the Crimson Tide. Brailsford is a good college player but undersized for the NFL. Brailsford was the starting center for the Washington Huskies in 2023 and had a solid season as a pass blocker protecting Michael Penix Jr. While he was the pivot man for Washington, Brailsford also had two starts at guard in 2023. After the season, Brailsford followed his coaching staff with a transfer to Alabama. Brailsford needs to gain weight and strength for the NFL.

2/11/25: Slaughter had a rough start to the year, but played better as the season progressed and ended on a strong note. Slaughter has upside and got better as he gained experience. Slaughter was wise to return to Florida for 2025. He has quality size, strength, and athleticism. Slaughter took over as the starter for the Gators in 2023 and had a quality year. He has good size and upside. Slaughter’s run blocking was ahead of his pass protection, but he could improve as he gains experience.

2/11/25: Crippen was a rotational player during Michigan’s championship run, but he would have been a starter at most schools. Crippen took over as the full-time starter in 2024 and had a solid debut. He could be a riser as he has good size and strength.

2/11/25: After being a starter with Texas A&M, Foster transferred to Kansas and started at center. Foster broke into the starting lineup in 2021 and had a respectable debut for the Aggies. In 2022, he played four games before a season-ending injury. As a redshirt sophomore, Foster returned to the starting center spot and was a reliable blocker for the Aggies. Foster is a big center with upside. It will be interesting to see if he can handle speed rushers and heavy nose tackles in one-on-one pass blocking situations.

2/11/25: Jones started at center for Iowa in 2024 and was an effective run blocker for Kaleb Johnson. He could stand to get stronger for the NFL. In his second season as a starter, Jones was a solid starter for Iowa during the 2023 season. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. Jones missed the 2021 season with an injury but became a starter a year later. Jones needs to get stronger for the NFL.

6/18/25: Bobo is the expected starter for Georgia in 2025, and he played well as a backup in 2024. Bobo has quality size and strength at the point of attack. He has the upside to be a riser.

6/18/25: To open the season, Laloulu was starting at guard for a few games before starting the final 12 at center. Laloulu could lack a little height, but he is a strong and thick blocker at the point at attack.

6/18/25: Craig was the starting center for the Irish in 2024 before suffering an injury and going out for the season. Craig has good size and strength at the point of attack. If he can stay healthy, he could be a riser for the 2026 NFL Draft.

6/18/25: Brockermeyer left Alabama and transferred to TCU right before the 2024 season. Brockermeyer could rise if he plays well for the Horned Frogs in 2025. Brockermeyer was in a battle with Parker Brailsford for the starting center spot with Alabama. Brailsford came with the coaching staff from Washington and has starting experience. Over three seasons, Brockermeyer was a backup for the Crimson Tide.