2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Center

*Walt taking 2014 and 2018

Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates. Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, and '20 Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017 and 2019 NFL Drafts 2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

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1. Trey Hill*, C, Georgia
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 330.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.34.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-2.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: In 2020, Hill has blocked very well, showing the ability to get movement in the ground game, hit double teams to open holes, and take on big defensive tackles. Hill has been tough in pass protection as well, putting on display his ability to go one-on-one with tackles. While Hill has blocked well, he has also fired some bad snaps, so he needs to improve on his snapping accuracy for the NFL.
   
   Hill was very good for Georgia in 2019. He is a tough run blocker and shows the ability to handle pass-rushing defensive tackles one on one. Taking on a future top-10 pick in Auburn's Derrick Brown, Hill was very impressive, and team sources have said Hill was impossible not to notice when they scouted Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson and Solomon Kindley for the 2020 NFL Draft. Those scouts feel Hill could be an early-rounder and the top center in his draft class.
   
   Hill is big for the position and moves well for a big blocker. With his large size, Hill can block defensive tackles one-on-one in pass protection and the ground game. While Hill is not as fast and athletic as some smaller centers who have gone as early-rounders in recent years, he brings more size and power to the position than those players. He could also move to guard for the NFL.





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2. Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 308.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.22.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-3.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Dickerson has played well for Alabama so far in 2020 and has helped himself with NFL teams. He's getting second- and third-round grades according to some team sources. Dickerson has some skill set limitations, but he has very good technique and is fundamentally sound. He is a smart center that knows how to play the game.
   
   Dickerson is a transfer from Florida State who had a strong 2019 season for Alabama. Over his time with the Crimson Tide, Dickerson was a solid run blocker and dependable in the passing game. He has good size to him with more length than most centers. Dickerson could be a riser leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft.



3. Josh Myers*, C, Ohio State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 312.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-4.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Myers earned the starting center position in 2019 as a sophomore and had an excellent debut for the Buckeyes. He has good size with length for an interior blocker, and was tough at the point of attack. Myers was an effective run blocker for J.K. Dobbins and a steady pass protector for Justin Fields. Now that Myers has a year of experience, he could be even better and may end up being one of the top center prospects in his draft class.



4. Alec Lindstrom*, C, Boston College
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 290.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-4.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: If the name sounds familiar, that's because Alec Lindstrom is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom, a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Alec Lindstrom took a medical redshirt in 2017. A year later, he was mostly a backup center, but then in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore, he played well as the center for Boston College. Lindstrom has quality height and length for center, but could use more weight for the NFL. That could come along as he ages. Alec and Chris' father, also named Chris, played in the NFL and coached them in high school. Hence, the brothers are polished and more developed in technique than the average player.





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5. Jimmy Morrissey, C, Pittsburgh
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 305.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-4.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Morrissey has been solid, if unspectacular, for Pittsburgh. He has enough size to work his way into starting consideration in the NFL, and he had a very good junior year for Pittsburgh. Morrissey did not allow a sack in 2019 and graded out as the best run blocker on Pittsburgh's offensive line. The former walk-on won the starting center position as a redshirt freshman and has improved each season. Morrissey could stand to get stronger for the NFL.



6. Creed Humphrey*, C, Oklahoma
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 312.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.1.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Humphrey has been solid for the Sooners this season. However, he has some limitations for the NFL. Humphrey became a starter as a redshirt freshman in 2018 and had an impressive debut for Oklahoma. He anchored the middle of the Sooners' line and was a steady producer at the point of attack. That trend continued in 2019 as Humphrey was dependable for Oklahoma with reliable pass protection and productive run blocking.
   
   Humphrey has good size to him. Team sources say he could be a mid-rounder who becomes a starting center in the NFL, but they didn't see him as having an early-round skill set entering the 2020 season.



7. James Empey*, C, BYU
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.22.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Empey has blocked well for BYU this year. He's been a solid protector for Zach Wilson.
   
   Empey was a good center for BYU in 2019, being dependable in both the ground game and in pass protection. It was his second season as a starter after earning the starting center spot for his redshirt freshman season. His father, Mike, has coached the offensive line and tight ends at BYU.



8. Michal Menet, C, Penn State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 302.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Menet was a solid starting center for Penn State over the past two seasons after breaking into the starting lineup as a sophomore. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but he has upside to develop for the next level.



9. Jordan Reid, C, Michigan State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 305.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
   Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
   View Ranking History
   11/14/20: Reid has been a mainstay as a starter for Michigan State over the past three years, and entering his senior year, he made 27 starts at right tackle. Even though Reid plays right tackle for the Spartans, the advance scouts for NFL teams project Reid moving to center for the pros, as they listed him at the positions on their preseason watch list. Given his skill set, moving inside looks like the best plan for Reid.





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10. Joe Sculthorpe, C/G, N.C. State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    11/14/20: Aside from missing the game against Clemson with a suspension, Sculthorpe had a solid 2019 season for N.C. State. He has played guard and center for N.C. State, and as a pro, he could be backup at either position to start out his career. Sculthorpe should get stronger for the NFL.



11. Derek Kerstetter, C/G, Texas
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.5.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    11/14/20: Kerstetter has been solid, but unimpressive, for Texas in 2020. Entering his senior year, Kerstetter had started 28 games for the Longhorns and was a steady blocker. Kerstetter has played right tackle and guard for Texas, but for the NFL, he projects as a guard. He could stand to get stronger for the next level. Kerstetter also plays center for Texas.



12. Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.2.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    11/14/20: Jackson has been decent for Kentucky this season. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. Jackson is a tough run blocker at the point of attack. He is strong and plays with solid technique. Jackson broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman and has locked down the center position for the Wildcats. He is a good college player who would be ranked higher if he had more size for the next level.



13. Doug Kramer, C, Illinois
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.26.
    Projected Round (2021): 6-FA.
    View Ranking History
    11/14/20: Kramer started 27 straight games before missing the Redbox Bowl with an ankle injury. He is a tough player who is a well-rounded blocker, but he is undersized for the NFL and lacking in length and weight.



14. Matt Allen, C, Michigan State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 303.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.39.
    Projected Round (2021): 7-FA.
    View Ranking History
    11/14/20: Matt Allen is the third of the Allens to be a solid starting center for Michigan State following his older brothers Jack (2012-2015) and Brian (2014-2017). Similar to his brothers, Matt Allen is a dependable center who has athletic limitations to go along with being on the smaller side for the NFL. Allen's run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. His older brothers did not become good pros, so that doesn't help Matt Allen's projection with teams.





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