2011 NFL Draft: Center Rankings

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

Combine 40 Times: As I explained on Twitter (@walterfootball), the official Combine 40 times are incorrect, and they’ve been proven false via the NFL Network’s simul-cam.

For the 40 times, I use the NFL Network’s unofficial times, which are more accurate. NFL teams use their own timed 40s anyway, so the official 40s are meaningless.

This page was last updated April 16, 2011.

1. Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 313.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.26.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 30. Arm: 33.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-4.
   3/17/11: Stefen Wisniewski stood on his Combine numbers. He said that scouts have told him that he has a chance to go in the first round but will probably be a second-round pick.
   
   1/25/11: Write-ups for these rankings will be added later; there were “personnel complications” on the site, which is why these rankings haven’t been updated in a while.
   
   10/2/10: Wisniewski’s best position is center and he is a great fit for zone-blocking schemes. He is tough, plays with terrific technique and does a great job winning the leverage battle.
   
   4/4/10: Had a great year, qualifying for the All-Big Ten First Team.
   
   2/10/09: Despite missing some time with a bum knee, Stefen Wisniewski was still voted to the All-Big Ten Second Team.
   
   
   
   
2. Kristofer O’Dowd, C, USC
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 304.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.07.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.15.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 31. Arm: 32 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   1/28/11: It’s sad to see Kris O’Dowd struggle like this. He’s been completely overmatched this week. I hope there’s some sort of reason for this like an undisclosed injury.
   
   1/27/11: Kris O’Dowd just doesn’t look good. He’s been overmatched in nearly every one-on-one drill this week.
   
   1/26/11: Kris O’Dowd had a poor practice Tuesday afternoon, looking overmatched in the one-on-one drills.
   
   10/2/10: O’Dowd is an extremely strong center who can maul in the run game, but the medical could really hurt his draft stock.
   
   4/4/10: Was a first-team All-Pac Team member despite the fact that he was playing with a torn labrum in 2009.
   
   
3. Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 316.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.09.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: . Arm: 33 3/4.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   4/14/11: Brandon Fusco has generated a ton of interest from the Eagles and Giants.
   
   
4. Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 5.32.
   Benchx225: 25. Arm: 31 3/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   4/4/10: Never played football until his senior year in high school. Jake Kirkpatrick made the All-Mountain West Second Team.
   
   
   
   
5. Tim Barnes, C, Missouri
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.17.
   Combine 40 Time: .
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: . Arm: .
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   
   
   
6. Jason Kelce, G, Cincinnati
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 280.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: . Arm: 32 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   3/29/11: Jason Kelce did not work out at Cincinnati’s Pro Day due to an appendectomy.
   
   4/4/10: An All-Big East second-teamer in 2009.
   
   
7. Alex Linnenkohl, C, Oregon State
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 304.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.29.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.37.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 31. Arm: 31 3/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   3/12/11: Alex Linnenkohl had 31 bench reps at his Pro Day after notching 24 at the Combine.
   
   10/2/10: I’ve been impressed with Linnenkohl on tape. He seems to be a fluid athlete laterally especially in pass protection, but it takes him a while to get to the second level. He looks like a developmental starter.
   
   
   
   
8. Zane Taylor, C, Utah
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 309.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.56.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 5.45.
   Benchx225: 41. Arm: 33.
   Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
   3/31/11: “Lil'” Zane Taylor had a very good Pro Day. He posted 41 reps of 225 (33 at the Combine) and looked great in the drills.
   
   4/4/10: Chosen to the All-Mountain West Second Team as a junior.
   
   
9. Kevin Kowalski, C, Toledo
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.22.
   Combine 40 Time: .
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: . Arm: 31 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
   
   
   
10. Ryan Pugh, C, Auburn
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 293.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    
    
    
11. Colin Baxter, C/G, Arizona
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 311.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.42.
    Benchx225: 22. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/4/10: An All-Pac 10 second-teamer in 2009, Colin Baxter has started at center and guard at Arizona.
    
    
12. Ryan Bartholomew, C, Syraucse
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 302.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.89.
    Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
    Benchx225: 34. Arm: 33 3/4.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    3/30/11: Ryan Bartholomew stood on his great Combine numbers at his Pro Day. Bartholomew has outstanding measurables, but isn’t nearly as good on tape.
    
    
13. Chase Beeler, C/G, Stanford
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 285.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/4/10: An Oklahoma transfer, Chase Beeler qualified for the All-Pac 10 Second Team as a junior.
    
    
14. Ryan McMahon, C, Florida State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 285.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.94.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/4/10: A former defensive lineman, Ryan McMahon was an All-ACC honorable mention in 2008.
    
    
15. Colin Miller, C/G, Central Michigan
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 292.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.12.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/4/10: Colin Miller has a history of knee problems, but did manage to make the All-MAC Second Team in 2009.
    
    
16. Beau Warren, C/G, Virginia Tech
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 288.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    4/4/10: An All-ACC honorable mention.
    
    

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