2027 NFL Draft Prospects: Center



The top 2027 Center prospects available for the 2027 NFL Draft. * - denotes 2028 prospect. ** - denotes 2029 prospect.

This page was last updated Sept. 19, 2026. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2027 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Minnesota image Gregory Johnson, C/G, Minnesota
Height: 6-6. Weight: 327.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - Jake Slaughter, Florida
    -Drafted, no. 63 Chargers
  • '25 - Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
    -Drafted, no. 18 Seahawks
  • '24 - Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
    -Drafted, no. 44 Raiders

9/16/26: Johnson was a rock-solid blocker for the Gophers in 2025, showing effectiveness in both phases. Johnson has size and power as a run blocker with quickness, athleticism, and an ability to anchor in pass protection. He looks like he could be a very good starting guard in the NFL with a long career. In 2025, Johnson was the Gophers' left guard, but he also filled in with a start at left tackle and one at right tackle. As a sophomore in 2024, Johnson started all 13 games at center for Minnesota. The NFL advance scouts have him as a guard entering the season.



2. LSU image Braelin Moore*, C, LSU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 297.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - Connor Lew, Auburn
    -Drafted, no. 128 Bengals
  • '25 - Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
  • '24 - Graham Barton, Duke
    -Drafted, no. 26 Buccaneers

9/16/26: Moore is off to a solid start for the Tigers in 2026. Moore has less than ideal size, but he is strong, tough, and athletic for the size that he has. Moore played two seasons with Virginia Tech, starting at left guard in 2023 and center in 2024 with the Hokies. He then transferred to LSU and was the Tigers' starting center in 2025. Moore dealt with some injuries, but he played well and impressed advanced scouts. Moore lacks the size to be a candidate for guard in the NFL, so he will have to be a center only as a pro.



3. Minnesota image Ashton Beers*, C, Minnesota
Height: 6-6. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - Sam Hecht, Kansas State
    -Drafted, no. 144 Panthers
  • '25 - Jared Wilson, Georgia
    -Drafted, no. 95 Patriots
  • '24 - Zach Frazier, West Virginia
    -Drafted, no. 51 Steelers

9/16/26: Beers has been solid for the Gophers thus far. After serving as a backup as a freshman, Beers broke into the starting lineup in 2024. He started six games at right guard and three at left guard. In 2025, Beers took over at center and stayed there for the Gophers. He forms a tough interior line with Greg Johnson. Beers is a big center for the NFL, and he could also be moved to guard.



4. Ohio State image Carson Hinzman, C, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 306.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - Logan Jones, Iowa
    -Drafted, no. 57 Bears
  • '25 - Jonah Monheim, USC
    -Drafted, no. 221 Jaguars
  • '24 - Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Georgia

9/16/26: In 2026, Hinzman has blocked well for the Buckeyes and looks improved over previous seasons. Hinzman has been a solid blocker and starter for the Buckeyes since his redshirt freshman season. In 2023, he started at center before starting mostly at guard during Ohio State’s 2024 National Championship team. He started again in 2025. Hinzman would project best to center in the NFL.



5. Georgia image Drew Bobo*, C, Georgia
Height: 6-5. Weight: 305.
Projected 40 Time: 5.43.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - Patrick Coogan, Indiana
    -Drafted, no. 194 Titans
  • '25 - Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
  • '24 - Beaux Limmer, Arkansas
    -Drafted, no. 217 Rams

9/16/26: Bobo is back starting at center for the Bulldogs in 2026. He has yet to be tested by quality talent. Bobo was having an excellent 2025 season before going out with an injury. Georgia really missed him when he was out. Bobo has good size and strength. He could be a solid guard or center for the NFL.



6. Iowa image Kade Pieper*, C/G, Iowa
Height: 6-5. Weight: 314.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - Parker Brailsford, Alabama
    -Drafted, no. 146 Browns
  • '25 - Eli Cox, Kentucky
  • '24 - Andrew Raym, Oklahoma

9/16/26: Some team sources are not high on Pieper, but some feel he will grow into a really good player. Pieper started at right guard in 2025 and formed an excellent interior offensive line with veteran center Logan Jones. With Jones in the NFL, Pieper is being projected to move to center by NFL teams’ advance scouts. Pieper has good size, strength, and athleticism. He could be a candidate to start at guard or center as a pro.



7. Oregon image Iapani Laloulu, C/G, Oregon
Height: 6-2. Weight: 325.
Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
Projected Round (2027): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • '26 - James Brockermeyer, Miami
  • '24 - Charles Turner III, LSU

9/16/26: Laloulu has been respectable, but not overly impressive thus far in 2026. Laloulu blocked well for the Ducks in 2025 and is a well-balanced blocker at the point of attack. To open the 2024 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 of attack.



8. Notre Dame image Ashton Craig*, C/G, Notre Dame
Height: 6-5. Weight: 312.
Projected 40 Time: 5.33.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.

Previous Seasons
  • '24 - Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
    -Drafted, no. 117 Colts

9/16/26: Craig is starting at center and has played well thus far in 2026. 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. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but he has contributed in both phases. Craig was a good run blocker at the point of attack in 2025, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury on October 11th versus N.C. State.



9. Wisconsin image Austin Kawecki, C, Wisconsin
Height: 6-3. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.

Previous Seasons
  • '24 - Matt Lee, Miami
    -Drafted, no. 237 Bengals

9/16/26: Kawecki had some issues with Notre Dame in Week 1, but has been okay for the Badgers. Kawecki worked his way into the starting lineup for Oklahoma State in 2025 and had a solid season for the Cowboys. For his final season of college football, Kawecki transferred to Wisconsin.



10. Michigan image Jake Guarnera**, C, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.

Previous Seasons
  • '24 - Nicholas Gargiulo, South Carolina

9/16/26: Guarnera is starting at center for Michigan. He has been okay, but could use more development. Guarnera broke into the starting lineup as an underclassman and was a solid contributor for the Wolverines. Guarnera has the upside to get better as he gains experience.



2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2027 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P



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