2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Center

1/27/26: Heckt has been a rock-solid center for the Wildcats over the past two seasons, and he is a love/hate prospect with team sources. Listed at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, some sources say Hecht is maxed out in his frame and has below-average power. The sources that don’t like him say he is very scheme-specific as a fit for zone blocking only. They feel he has a sawed-off body type, but he is a great kid, works hard, plays hard, and is smart. They feel that Hecht is a mid to late-rounder. The sources that like him more see him as a well-balanced blocker at the point of attack with the ability to protect the quarterback and get a push in the ground game. However, the injury to Auburn’s Connor Lew, Hecht is in the running to be the top center prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft with second-round potential.

1/27/26: Slaughter was solid overall in 2025. Slaughter had a rough start early in 2024, but played better as the season progressed and ended on a strong note. Slaughter has upside and has gotten better as he gained experience. Slaughter has quality size, strength, and athleticism. Slaughter took over as the starter for the Gators in 2023 and had a quality year. Slaughter is balanced as a run and pass blocker.

1/27/26: Lew was excellent in 2025, but his season was cut short in the middle of the year with a torn ACL. He is tough at the point of attack, smart, and well-rounded. Lew is effective in pass protection and as a run blocker. 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. Some sources have compared Lew to Creed Humphrey. Lew could have been a potential second-round pick before the injury, but now could end up being a mid-round pick.

1/27/26: In 2025, Jones was solid for Iowa. 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.

1/27/26: Brailsford has played well in 2025. He has been steady in pass protection and a contributor in the ground attack. He 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.

1/27/26: Crippen has been a solid center for the Wolverines this season. 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.

1/27/26: After being a starter with Texas A&M, Foster transferred to Kansas and has 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 at an all-star game.

1/27/26: Brockermeyer played well for Miami in 2025. He was a steady blocker for the Hurricanes, but has some limitations for the NFL. 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.

1/27/26: Lemieux played well enough at Dartmouth to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Lemieux could stand to add some strength for the NFL, and he could start out as a backup at guard or center.