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Updated 4/17/10 

100 Once in a decade prospect 

95-99 Elite talent 

90-95 Solid top 10 pick 

85-90 Solid first round pick 

80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 

75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 

70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 

65-70 3rd-4th round pick 

60-65 4th-5th round pick 

55-60 5th round pick 

50-55 6th round pick 

45-50 7th round pick 

40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 

30-40 Career practice squader 

20-30 No NFL future 

0-20 No football future 

1. JD Walton (Baylor) 75

With the more athletic Kris O’Dowd and Stefan Wisniewski returning to school, Walton, a savvy 3 year starter at Baylor, becomes the top center prospect. He’s not an elite athlete, but he is very intelligent and has good technique. He made the All-American first team this year.

2. Eric Olsen (Notre Dame) 70

Notre Dame’s offensive line was horrible this year, but its not Olsen’s fault. He only gave up one sack all year. He’s a versatile interior lineman with the intelligence and technique to play center in the NFL and displayed good chemistry with Jimmy Clausen this year.

3. Maurkice Pouncey (Florida) 69

By far the most versatile guard on here, he has the ability to play both guard positions, and center, which he played last year. He could also play right tackle and he has great athletic upside, though he didn’t quite tap into all of that in his time at Florida.

4. Matt Tennant (Boston College) 63

Undersized at 285 pounds, but that’s actually okay for the center position. His technique and durability are great and his snaps are flawless. He could get drafted in the early 4^th round because of need for the position. He’s the best pure zone blocking center in the draft class because of his agility and technique.

5. Jeff Byers (USC) 59 

1/30/10: He’s undersized, but with great form he really held his own against much bigger defensive lineman. He played at center for most of the game, which is not his natural position, but he did a great overall job, which is very good because, due to his small frame, that’s likely the position he’ll have to play at the next level. 

A former elite guard prospect who would be a perfect fit for a zone blocking scheme. He only weighs 290 pounds so he won’t fit all schemes and he has a nasty history of injuries, but if he fulfills his potential, he could be the best pure left guard in this draft class. He needs to bulk up though, even to play a zone scheme.

 

6. John Estes (Hawaii) 58

A mean athletic center built in the mold of former Hawaii center Samson Satele, now with the Oakland Raiders. He has the ability to play guard and is a very physical run blocker in addition to being a smart leader on the offensive line.

7. Chris Hall (Texas) 52

He’s started at every position on the line before in his career, but found his niche as a center over the past two years, making the All-American 3^rd team this year. His versatility and athleticism could get him drafted late.

8. Kevin Matthews (Texas A&M) 50

3/15/10: Football is in his blood (his dad is Hall of Fame center Bruce Matthews) and he looked the part of Bruce Matthews’s son at his Pro Day looking really good in positional drills. In a weak center class, Matthews could get himself drafted.

He’s Hall of Fame Center Bruce Matthews’s son, but he also held his own last year and made a name for himself as a talented, yet undersized, center for Texas A&M. The Big 12 had arguably some of the best defensive tackles in college football last year, but he did a very good job against more talented and bigger defensive tackles. 

9. Kenny Alfred (Washington State) 49

A physical center that can also play right guard if needed. He also showed good durability making 29 straight starts for Washington State and snaps the ball flawlessly. His technique needs a bit of work, but his strength and work ethic give him a good upside.

10. Ted Larsen (NC State) 48

An athletic former defensive tackle who has flawlessly moved to center for the past two years. He should have the versatility to kick over to either guard position and was a smart, vocal leader of a surprisingly good offensive line this year.

11. Eric Cook (New Mexico) 47

12. Chris Fisher (Louisiana-Lafayette) 44

13. Andrew Lewis (Oklahoma State) 41