Nonstopdrivel
3 years ago

NFL Draft: Why Centers Are the Best First-Round Value Pick 
by Stephen Sheehan
April 16, 2020

Any NFL draft expert worth his salt will acknowledge the first round can be a total crapshoot. In fact, the entire draft itself often comes down to a weird combination of luck and opportunity. But smart NFL teams know how to hit safe selections in Round 1. And when it comes to specific positions, there are some that simply work out more often than others.

Identifying a franchise quarterback can be a mightily difficult projection. Determining a receiver’s fit in an NFL scheme comes with major question marks. Finding a lockdown corner is easier said than done. But if NFL teams truly place an emphasis on value, then there’s no doubt that the center position represents the best first-round NFL draft investment.

Centers who have excelled as recent first-round NFL draft picks


From 2003-2013, seven centers became first-round NFL draft picks. Besides Travis Frederick, who unfortunately retired due to health issues, each one played at least 120 games. Frederick started 96 games for the Cowboys and earned five Pro Bowl selections despite being initially views as one of Jerry Jones’ worst draft picks.

While Jeff Faine (2003) and Chris Spencer (2005) turned into solid starters, NFL teams struck gold with the quartet of Nick Mangold (2006), Eric Wood (2009), Alex Mack (2009) and Maurkice Pouncey (2010). Together, those four have combined for 22 Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honors. Mangold could very well earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pouncey has anchored Pittsburgh’s offensive line from the moment the Steelers drafted him with the 18th pick. And Mack has quietly ranked amongst the league’s top centers after the Browns made him the 21st overall pick more than a decade ago.

More recently, Ryan Kelly (18th overall in 2016), Frank Ragnow (20th overall in 2018) and Garrett Bradbury (18th overall in 2019) have become instant starters for their respective teams. Other than the Bengals’ Billy Price, who has struggled with injuries, there isn’t a single bust amongst the centers who entered the league as first-round NFL draft picks across the last two decades. Even Cameron Erving has carved out a respectable career after failing to live up to initial expectations in Cleveland.

Flashier positions have high bust rate




While drafting a center in the first round may not excite a fan base, it’s a much smarter use of draft capital than taking a chance on flashier positions. Sure, a center’s impact is more difficult to quantify. But most perennial playoff teams feature a strong pivot man.

On the other hand, sinking a first-round pick into a quarterback, wide receiver or defensive end comes with significant risk. Just look at some of the notable first-rounders at those positions who have been abject failures over the last decade:

Quarterbacks: Sam Bradford, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Brandon Weeden, EJ Manuel, Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Paxton Lynch

Receivers: Jonathan Baldwin, Justin Blackmon, A.J. Jenkins, Tavon Austin, Kelvin Benjamin, Breshad Perriman, Kevin White, Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman, Laquon Treadwell, Corey Davis and John Ross

Defensive ends: Shea McClellan, Quinton Coples, Datone Jones, Bjoern Werner, Dion Jordan, Shane Ray, Leonard Williams, Taco Charlton, Tak McKinley and Solomon Thomas

First-round centers cash in

Mike Tannenbaum may have been a disappointing general manager, but he’s actually quite knowledgeable about the salary cap and player contracts. His recent tweet highlighted why drafting a center in the first round is not only a reliable investment but a financially fruitful one.

Looking at the first-round centers from the last decade, it’s easy to see why NFL teams got great value from those picks. Pouncey earned less than $3 million per season on his rookie contract before inking a $44 million extension in 2014. He picked up another two-year extension last season totaling $22 million.

Frederick cost just $1.7 million annually on his initial rookie deal. He signed a six-year, $56.4 million contract extension before the start of the 2016 season after quickly establishing himself as one of the best at his position. Though centers don’t rack up stats or get the same recognition as higher-paid tackles and guards, they make a massive difference on game day. Their individual responsibilities, which includes snapping the ball and calling out protections, make them a highly valuable commodity.

So if your favorite NFL team spends a first-round pick on a center in next week’s NFL draft, don’t fret. Just ask Cowboys fans how the Frederick worked out.

Stephen Sheehan wrote:


UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
dfosterf (12h) : Maybe
Mucky Tundra (12h) : Yes
Zero2Cool (13h) : No.
Mucky Tundra (16h) : End of a Degu-era
dhazer (16h) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
Zero2Cool (19h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (20h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (28-Mar) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (27-Mar) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2023 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
Bears
Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
Falcons
Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
SAINTS
Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
LIONS
Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
Raiders
Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
RAMS
Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
CHARGERS
Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
CHIEFS
Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
Giants
Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
BUCCANEERS
Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
Panthers
Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
Cowboys
Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
49ers
Recent Topics
7h / Around The NFL / beast

12h / Green Bay Packers Talk / buckeyepackfan

28-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

28-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.