2010 NFL Draft: Center Rankings

The top 2010 center prospects available for the 2010 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * – denotes 2011 prospect.

This page was last updated April 12, 2010.

1. Maurkice Pouncey, Florida – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 306.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.23.
   Benchx225: 26. Arm: 32 1/2.
   Projected Round (2010): 1-2.
   3/17/10: Aside from the drills, only benched (26 reps) and did the vertical (27 inches) at his Pro Day. Looked solid in the drills.
   
   1/12/10: Maurkice Pouncey has declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. Pouncey is a versatile player who can play center, guard and right tackle. He could be drafted early on Day 2.
   
   
   
   
2. J.D. Walton, Baylor – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.24.
   Benchx225: 34. Arm: 33 3/8.
   Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
   1/17/10: An AP All-American first-teamer, J.D. Walton dominated in the trenches all season.
   
   
3. Matt Tennant, Boston College
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 296.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.93.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.16.
   Benchx225: 27. Arm: 32 1/4.
   Projected Round (2010): 3-4.
   1/17/10: Matt Tennant has 40 consecutive starts. He was an All-ACC second-teamer.
   
   2/11/09: An honorable mention on the All-ACC Team.
   
   7/28/08: Matt Tennant started every game for Boston College in 2007, as he was a very reliable center for Matt Ryan.
   
   
4. Eric Olsen, Notre Dame
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 306.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.22.
   Benchx225: 35. Arm: 32 1/2.
   Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
   1/17/10: Notre Dame’s offensive line played poorly all year, but don’t point any fingers at Eric Olsen; the versatile interior lineman surrendered only one sack as a senior.
   
   10/24/09: Can move around anywhere on the interior. Playing well at center this year.
   
   7/28/08: Eric Olsen started the last six games of his sophomore season and also played on special teams.
   
   
5. Jeff Byers, USC
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 301.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
   Combine 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 33. Arm: 33 1/8.
   Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
   1/17/10: Made the AP All-America Third Team.
   
   2/10/09: Finally stayed healthy for a year, qualifying for the All-Pac 10 Second Team.
   
   2007: Jeff Byers had enormous potential until he missed the past two seasons with different injuries. He’s currently healthy, so let’s see what he makes of his final two years as a Trojan.
   
   
   
   
6. Ted Larsen, N.C. State
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 304.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.25.
   Benchx225: 26. Arm: 32.
   Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
   1/31/10: Ted Larsen sailed a snap 10 yards over Jarrett Brown’s head in the second quarter, which gave the North a touchdown. I know centers botch snaps from time to time, but this is was one of the ugliest snaps I’ve ever seen on any level.
   
   1/17/10: Two years of experience at center after playing defensive tackle early in his collegiate career.
   
   
7. John Estes, Hawaii
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.06.
   Combine 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: . Arm: .
   Projected Round (2010): 5-6.
   1/17/10: Qualified for the All-WAC First Team. John Estes set the NCAA record for most career starts (54).
   
   2/11/09: A team captain, John Estes was once again named to the All-WAC First Team.
   
   7/28/08: Looking to follow Samson Satele’s journey from Hawaii to the NFL, John Estes, an athletic center, started every game at that position as a sophomore just one year after starting 14 contests at guard. Estes was a first team All-WAC performer.
   
   
8. Kenny Alfred, Washington State
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 290.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.01.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 5.06.
   Benchx225: 21. Arm: .
   Projected Round (2010): 6-7.
   1/17/10: Started his final 29 games at Washington State, earning a spot on the All-Pac 10 Second Team.
   
   2/11/09: A solid center who can also kick out to guard, Kenny Alfred was an All-Pac 10 honorable mention.
   
   7/28/08: Kenny Alfred started eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2006. He can also play center.
   
   
9. Kevin Matthews, Texas A&M
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 298.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 5.27.
   Benchx225: 32. Arm: .
   Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
   3/11/10: The son of Hall of Fame center Bruce Matthews, Kevin performed well in the position drills at his Pro Day.
   
   
10. Erik Cook, New Mexico
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.55.
    Benchx225: 22. Arm: 33 7/8.
    Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
    1/17/10: Brother of NFLer Ryan Cook, Eric was an All-Mountain West first-teamer as a senior. Surrendered just one sack all year.
    
    
11. Jacob Hickman, Nebraska
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 291.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.04.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): 6-7.
    1/17/10: Once again an All-Big XII honorable metnion. Finished as a three-year starter.
    
    2/11/09: Transitioning over from the guard position, Jacob Hickman was an All-Big XII honorable mention.
    
    7/28/08: Jacob Hickman started the final nine games of his sophomore season, earning an All-Big XII honorable mention.
    
    
12. Joel Nitchman, Michigan State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): 7-FA.
    1/17/10: Started 10 of 12 games as a senior – all but one at center (left guard being the other). He was an All-Big Ten second-teamer.
    
    10/24/09: Missed some time with a knee sprain in 2009.
    
    2/11/09: An All-Big Ten honorable mention.
    
    7/28/08: Didn’t see much action as a freshman, but inserted into the starting lineup as a sophomore.
    
    
13. Chris Hall, Texas
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.06.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): 7-FA.
    1/17/10: Finished with 35 starts in his career, earning a distinction as an AP All-America Third Team.
    
    2/11/09: Qualified for the All-Big XII Second Team despite missing a bit of action with a knee sprain.
    
    7/28/08: One of the more versatile linemen in this class, Chris Hall started at every position as a sophomore.
    
    
14. Chris Fisher, Louisiana-Lafayette
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 292.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.17.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): 7-FA.
    1/17/10: An All-Sun Belt first-teamer, Chris Fisher and company held Ndamukong Suh sackless in a game this past year.
    
    2/11/09: Snapping the ball for an explosive Louisiana-Lafayette offense, Chris Fisher was honored as an All-Sun Belt first-teamer.
    
    7/28/08: After earning a spot on the All-America Freshman Team, Chris Fisher started 10 games for Louisiana-Lafayette’s explosive rushing offense as a sophomore.
    
    
15. Jim Cordle, Ohio State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 305.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.36.
    Benchx225: 23. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): 7-FA.
    1/17/10: His senior season was ruined because of lingering ankle injuries.
    
    7/28/08: Jim Cordle did a solid job taking over for Doug Datish as a redshirt sophomore last season.
    
    
16. Garrett Anderson, South Carolina
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 308.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.15.
    Benchx225: 29. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
    7/28/08: Garrett Anderson started four games as a freshman and a sophomore.
    
    
17. Robb Houser, Pittsburgh
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 287.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.14.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): FA.
    2/11/09: Broke his ankle in October and missed half the year.
    
    7/28/08: A JUCO transfer who should immediately be a factor on the ‘Stache’s offensive line.
    
    
18. Josh McNeil, Tennessee
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 289.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2010): FA.
    10/24/09: Knee injury.
    
    2/11/09: Despite playing for one of the worst offenses in Tennessee history, Josh McNeil remains near the top of this list.
    
    5/26/08: Josh McNeil suffered a minor knee injury this offseason, but he’ll be fine for the season opener.
    
    2007: Josh McNeil started as a freshman center in the SEC in nine games. The top-ranked center in the 2010 class, McNeil looks completely comfortable in the middle of Tennessee’s offensive front.
    
    

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