2015 NFL Draft Prospects: Centers

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2015 center prospects available for the 2015 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2016 prospect. ** – denotes 2017 prospect.

This page was last updated April 27, 2015. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Cameron Erving, C, Florida State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 313.
   40 Time: 5.15.
   Projected Round (2015): 1-2.
   4/27/15: Sources say they think that Erving could go in the back half of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft as he is a rare center with his combination of size, speed and athleticism. His skill set has drawn some comparisons to Mike and Maurkice Pouncey.
   
   Midway through the 2014 season, Florida State moved Erving from the blind side to center, and the senior played a lot better on the inside. For the NFL, Erving looks like he should stay inside at center or guard, though he may be able to make possibly right tackle work. Erving could be a valuable player on game days who can move from center to guard or tackle depending on injuries.
   
   Erving was excellent at the Combine as he demonstrated quickness, strength and athleticism. Erving really helped himself with an impressive day on the field and did well in the team meetings at night.
   
   Erving struggled in pass protection in a few games at left tackle in 2014, including contests against Notre Dame and Louisville. That was the case versus Clemson as Vic Beasley had his way with Erving. However, the Seminoles didn’t help Erving as he lined up tight against the line of scrimmage rather than back in his stance.
   
   8/27/14: Any casual observer would know that Erving must have had a good season considering his quarterback won the Heisman Trophy. Erving played really well for the Seminoles in 2013, but he rarely went against good pass-rushers. That changed against Clemson and Vic Beasley, but Erving and the Seminoles made Beasley a non-factor. Erving also played well against Miami. However, he had some rough moments against Florida. Overall, Erving was a rock-solid pass-protector for Jameis Winston and has opened up a lot of holes in the ground game.
   
   Erving is very quick for his size and moves well on the edge. He also has the strength to be a downhill run-blocker. Erving missed the 2010 season with a back injury. He then played defensive tackle in 2011 as a redshirt-freshman backup to Everett Dawkins. The Seminoles moved Erving to left tackle in 2012 and the sophomore ended up starting 14 games there. He formed a nice duo with Menelik Watson on the right side.
   
   Erving improved as the season progressed. He needs to continue to work on his kick slide and blocking fundamentals. However, Erving is quick, athletic and has good size. Staying through his senior year should only help him develop for the NFL.





2. Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 297.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Projected Round (2015): 2-4.
   4/27/15: Grasu is the consensus second-rated center in the 2015 NFL Draft. He needs more power for the next level. An injury kept him from working out at the Senior Bowl or Combine.
   
   Grasu played well in 2014. He battled hard against Michigan State and was strong in pass protection. Oregon’s offensive line had a rough outing against Arizona, but that was mainly from the edges as Grasu had a quality performance. His pass protection is better than his run blocking, and he could use more power for the NFL. Grasu had an excellent game against Florida State against Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards Jr. Grasu played better against Stanford than he had in the previous years.
   
   8/27/14: Early in 2013, Oregon blew out weak opponents. Grasu saw a nice test and did well against Tennessee defensive tackle Daniel McCullers in Week 3. Grasu didn’t play well against UCLA and had some terrible snaps. He also struggled somewhat against Stanford and Oregon State. Grasu should add some strength for the next level.
   
   Grasu is a quick and athletic center who is a perfect fit in Oregon’s high-paced attack. He moves well and has done a fantastic job as a run-blocker the past three seasons. Grasu was an All-Freshman selection by many media outlets in 2011. The only game that the sophomore really struggled in 2012 was against Stanford. The Cardinal’s powerful linemen gave him some problems, which illustrated that Grasu could use more strength for the NFL.
   
   Personal: Business major. Son of Steve and Mariana.



3. Ali Marpet, C/OT, Hobart
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 307.
   40 Time: 4.98.
   Projected Round (2015): 3-4.
   4/27/15: The Division III star Marpet had a breakout Senior Bowl. He got better each practice and held his own against the tougher competition. Marpet was a gritty blocker who showed the strength and athleticism to win his blocks.
   
   At the Combine, the Hobart product had the fastest 40 times, with an official time of 4.98 seconds. He also moved smoothly in the field drills and showed some natural athleticism. Some project moving Marpet to center. Early on, he could be valuable versatile backup while developing into a bigger role.





4. B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 318.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
   Projected Round (2015): 3-5.
   4/27/15: Finney was solid for Kanas State in 2014. He is a smart technician who could use more functional strength for the NFL. Finney had an impressive week at the East-Shrine to solidify his status as a third-day pick.
   
   8/27/14: Finney is a former walk-on who is now a First-Team All-Big XII selection in back-to-back years. The junior continued his strong play in 2013 and has continued to improve his overall game. He had a superb 2012 season blocking for quarterback Collin Klein. Finney was solid in pass protection and did a good job as a run-blocker. In 2011, he was a Freshman All-American after starting 12 games at center and one at right guard.
   
   Finney could use another 10 pounds of strength for the next level, but he has time to accomplish that. Finney could be a nice fit for a zone-blocking system.
   
   Personal: Pre-med major. Son of Christy Finney and the late J Finney.



5. Andy Gallik, C, Boston College
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 306.
   40 Time: 5.31.
   Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
   4/27/15: Gallik is a stout blocker who is intelligent and sturdy at the point of attack. He broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore after seeing action as a freshman. In his junior and senior years, he was an All-ACC selection. 2014 saw Gallik named as one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy. He is a little short on size and athleticism, but is a gritty technician who is well developed.



6. Reese Dismukes, C, Auburn
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 296.
   40 Time: 5.31.
   Projected Round (2015): 2-4.
   4/27/15: Dismukes played well for Auburn in 2014. He is a balanced, well-rounded blocker who is equally effective for the ground or air attack. Dismukes had a strong showing versus Kansas State and was very good against LSU. He also looked good against Ole Miss and Wisconsin. Dismukes looks like he’ll be able to start early in his NFL career. Dismukes had a quality workout at the Combine and held his own at the Senior Bowl. Some teams have concerns about him fitting in their locker room.
   
   8/27/14: Dismukes had an excellent 2013 season as a run-blocker for Auburn. The Tigers had a lot of success running behind him from start to finish. Dismukes is quick and athletic for an interior blocker, but could use more weight for the NFL. He would be a great fit in a zone-blocking scheme.
   
   Dismukes was a First-Team All-SEC center in 2013. It was his third straight season as a starter for the Tigers.
   
   Personal: Son of Kim and Ed Dismukes. Majoring in public administration.



7. Max Garcia, C/G, Florida
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 309.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.31.
   Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
   4/27/15: Garcia moved to center in 2014 and played well there for Florida. He blocked well in the ground game and was generally reliable in pass protection. Garcia had quality tapes against Kentucky and Tennessee, but he was unimpressive against Alabama. Garcia was excellent against Georgia. He could develop into a starting center in the NFL. Garcia has some fight to him and is a scraper. He had a strong performance at the Senior Bowl to help his stock. Teams are very split on him. Some like him and rate him high among the centers, while others dislike him and have him as a late pick or undrafted free agent
   
   8/27/14: Garcia was up and down for the Gators in 2013. With the rash of injuries that struck Florida’s offensive line, he was playing left tackle by the end of the season. Surprisingly, Garcia didn’t play poorly on the blind side. He needs to get more consistent and add more strength.
   
   Garcia started 12 games at Maryland in 2011 before transferring to Florida. He was forced to sit out the 2012 season.





8. Jake Smith, C, Louisville
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 307.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
   Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
   4/27/15: Aside from the game against Virginia, Smith and the Louisville offense played well in 2014. Smith had some struggles with Florida State nose tackle Eddie Goldman. Smith did not attend the Combine.
   
   8/27/14: Smith is a versatile interior offensive lineman who can play guard or center. He has enough strength to open holes in the ground game and was a reliable pass-protector for Teddy Bridgewater the past two seasons. Smith is a sleeper prospect to watch.
   
   Personal: Son of Jane Eldemire and Wayne Smith. Marketing major.



9. Brandon Vitabile, C, Northwestern
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
   Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
   4/27/15: Vitabile was a good run-blocker for Northwestern in 2014 and helped the Wildcats to pull off upsets against Penn State and Wisconsin. He accepted an invitation to play at the East-West Shrine and had a decent week. Vitabile did not participate in the Combine.
   
   8/23/13: Vitabile has made 38 straight starts entering his senior season. The Wildcats averaged 172 yards per game rushing last year, and Vitabile was a key cog in their line. In 2012, he helped Northwestern average 225.5 yards per game on the ground and lead an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the Big Ten.
   
   Unsurprisingly, Vitabile is a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection. He could use more size for the NFL or will have to play in a zone-blocking system.
   
   Personal: Majoring in economics. Son of Maureen McCann and Peter Vitabile.



10. David Andrews, C, Georgia
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 294.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
    Projected Round (2015): 7-FA.
    4/27/15: Andrews played well for Georgia in 2014. He did a good job of blocking for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb. Andrews is better at opening up holes in the ground game than he is in pass protection. Andrews didn’t impress against Florida. He didn’t work out at the Combine.
    
    8/27/14: Andrews was a good run-blocker for Todd Gurley in 2013. Andrews had some issues in the opener against Clemson, but his pass protection was strong against South Carolina and Tennessee. Against Florida, Andrews struggled. The junior had an up-and-down season.
    
    Andrews did a nice job replacing Ben Jones in 2012. Andrews helped open up a lot of running lanes and did his part to protect quarterback Aaron Murray. The first-year starter improved in both his run blocking and pass blocking as 2012 progressed. He could use more bulk for the NFL.
    
    Personal: Agribusiness major.



11. Dallas Lewallen, C, Wisconsin
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 322.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.35
    Projected Round (2015): 7-FA.
    4/27/15: Lewallen had a solid performance against LSU in the 2014 season opener and continued that throughout the year. He was a reliable blocker for the Badgers. Lewallen’s run blocking is definitely ahead of his pass protection. He looks limited athletically. Lewallen did not participate in the Combine.
    
    8/27/14: Lewallen is a typical heavy and strong Wisconsin offensive lineman. He started seven games in 2013 as the Badgers looked for a replacement for Travis Frederick. Lewallen could stand to improve his pass protection. He could be a more natural guard for the NFL.
    
    Personal: Son of Dallas and Therese Lewallen.

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