2023 NFL Draft Prospects: Center

4/22/23: Team sources say Avila is a solid player and looks like a future starter. He played left guard and center for the Horned Frogs, and he could play either spot in the NFL. Avila is strong and can generate a push at the point of attack. On top of his strength, Avila moves well for being a large, rotund interior lineman. However, team sources say Avila has a terrible body and needs to get in better shape for the NFL.

6/29/22: Avila is a big center who has also logged some starts at right tackle and right guard during his collegiate career. He is big and strong while possessing enough quickness and athleticism to remain at center in the NFL. With his skill set and experience, Avila could be a plug-and-play pro starter.

4/22/23: Schmitz was a solid center for Minnesota. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a solid week. Schmitz is a strong center at the point of attack and plays with good leverage. He could stand to improve handling speed rushers and games up front.

6/29/22: Schmitz is a big center who has the length and weight at the point of attack and enters his senior year with 23 career starts. His quickness and athleticism are questions, and he will need to show that he can take on speed rushers. The advance scouts have him on their preseason watch list with a late grade, but Schmitz has the opportunity to rise as a senior.

4/22/23: Tippman was a tough starting center for the Badgers over the past few years. He had his best season in 2022, blocking effectively against the run and thriving in pass protection. He only allowed one sack and five pressures over the year. It was Tippman’s second straight quality season. He looks like a potential NFL starter.

4/22/23: Wypler played well for the Buckeyes in 2022, but he should probably have returned for his senior year. Still, Wylper is a solid player with starting potential.

6/29/22: Wypler flashed enough to get included on NFL teams’ preseason watch list, and he has the upside to improve as he gains experience. Wypler could stand to get stronger for the NFL. If he is smaller than his listed numbers, the lack of length could be an issue that leads to him going lower.

4/22/23: Patterson was injured and missed the 2022 season opener against Ohio State, but after that, he had a solid season for the Fighting Irish. He played guard for Notre Dame and has the flexibility to play guard or center for the NFL. Patterson is a technician with good knee bend, hand placement, and footwork. He is strong in the ground game and rock solid in pass protection. He looks like a plug-and-play competitor for the NFL. Some team sources said they were projecting Patterson to the second day of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, Patterson was unimpressive at the Senior Bowl and could slide in the draft.

6/29/22: Patterson enters the 2022 season having been a 3-year starter, and Notre Dame has graded that he has not allowed a sack throughout his career. Patterson is a polished technician who is a solid blocker in the ground game and in pass protection. If Patterson stays healthy, he will be extremely experienced as a 4-year starter and could compete for a starting job immediately in the NFL.

4/22/23: Ekiyor was a 3-year starter at guard for Alabama and a powerful force as a run blocker. He has a strong build with the ability to lock up defenders in the ground game. For the NFL, Ekiyor could start out as a backup who develops into a starter at guard or center. Teams liked how Ekiyor looked at center in the Senior Bowl.

4/22/23: Oluwatimi had a solid 2022 season for Michigan, helping to open a lot of interior run lanes. He could be limited to center only in the NFL because of his lack of length, but team sources like Oluwatimi and said he helped himself at Senior Bowl.

6/29/22: Oluwatimi started 32 straight games for Virginia, and in 2021, he turned in a strong year at center. He was a quality pass protector over the past few seasons for the Cavaliers, and Oluwatimi is a well-rounded contributor. After the 2021 season, Oluwatimi went the graduate transfer route to land at Michigan.

4/22/23: Forsyth had some nice plays and ugly ones against Georgia in the 2022 season opener, but the Oregon line was dominant against BYU. Forsyth then blocked well in conference play. He is a steady run blocker and reliable pass protector, and he could compete quickly for playing time at the pro level.

6/29/22: In 2018 and 2019, Forsyth saw some backup snaps at left and right guard, as well as right tackle. In 2020, he took over as the starting center for the Ducks, and he has been a solid blocker since then. Forsyth could stand to get stronger for the NFL.

4/22/23: Seth McLaughlin was on NFL teams’ preseason watchlist for 2020, but Dalcourt beat him out for the starting center spot. It was Dalcourt’ second season as a starter for Alabama, and he was a dependable blocker. Dalcourt could face size limitations for the NFL.

4/22/23: Stromberg had a solid 2022 season as a run blocker and pass protector.

6/29/22: As a freshman in 2019, Stromberg was a starting guard for the Razorbacks. He stayed at guard to start out 2020, but then moved to center, which he has manned since then. Stromberg has good size for the NFL, and it will be interesting to see if he can handle speed rushers. If Stromberg shows improvement, he could rise.

4/22/23: Downing started at center for the Cyclones. He was solid versus Iowa and in other outings.

6/28/22: Downing has played guard and center for the Cyclones, with guard being his primary position. He has solid technique in pass protection and did a respectable job of run blocking for Breece Hall in 2021. Downing could fit as an interior backup at guard and center.

4/22/23: Samac spent 2022 starting at center for the Spartans.

6/29/22: Samac split center duties with Matt Allen previously, but he was impressive enough in part-time duty to make it onto NFL teams’ watchlist. Samac could rise with Allen in the NFL and taking over as the full-time center.

4/22/23: Evans had a good enough career to receive an invitation to the East-West Shrine.

6/29/22: Evans is a starting left tackle for Pine Bluff, but his body type is a better fit at center in the NFL. Evans needs to perform well at an all-star game to rise.

4/22/23: Neilon played well for the Trojans in 2022. He would be rated higher if he weren’t so undersized.

6/29/22: Neilon has been a multi-year starter and asteady interior blocker for USC. He lacks the size and length to play guard, which hurts his potential for the pros. Neilon needs to get stronger and add weight to his frame for taking on NFL defensive linemen.