2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Centers

November 11, 2023



*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,
’20,
and ’21
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017 and 2019 NFL Drafts
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2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S ROUND: 1

The top 2024 Center prospects available for the 2024 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2025 prospect. ** – denotes 2026 prospect.

This page was last updated Nov. 11, 2023. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Previous Seasons

23 – Steve Avila, TCU

1.

Sedrick Van Pran*, C/OG, Georgia

Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

11/11/23: Georgia has rolled over mostly easy opponents thus far. Van Pran has blocked well and been a steady contributor at the point of attack.

7/6/23: Van Pran broke into the starting lineup at center for the Bulldogs in 2021 and locked down the middle of the line for their two straight National Championships. Van Pran is strong at the point of attack to help in the ground game and reliable in pass protection. He looks like a future starter in the NFL.

Previous Seasons

23 – John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

2.

Matt Lee, C, Miami

Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

11/11/23: Lee spent four seasons at Central Florida before transferring to Miami. He has quality size and is a well-rounded blocker. He was very good in pass protection and a solid run blocker for the Knights. Lee could be a riser if he performs well in his final season with Miami. He is off to a good start and played well against Texas A&M in Week 2. Since then, he has been solid for the Hurricanes.

Previous Seasons

23 – Joe Tippman, Wisconsin

3.

Zach Frazier, C/G, West Virginia

Height: 6-3. Weight: 306.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

11/11/23: Frazier has been solid thus far for West Virginia. Frazier is tough and has enough size to be a potential starter in the NFL.

9/2/23: As an underclassman, Frazier was a good blocker for West Virginia, starting his freshman season at guard before moving to center as a sophomore. Frazier did not allow a sack during his freshman season at guard before giving up three sacks in 2021. In 2022, he was the starting center and allowed only one sack all season. Center could be Frazier’s best fit in the NFL.

Previous Seasons

23 – Luke Wypler, Ohio State

4.

Seth McLaughlin, C/OG, Alabama

Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
Projected Round (2024): 2-4.

11/11/23: McLaughlin was decent against Texas in Week 2, but also had some bad plays. He’s been better in the weeks to come. McLaughlin is a smart and tough technician.

7/6/23: McLaughlin took on a starting role late in his sophomore season, but he played well for Alabama to close out 2021. To start out 2022, McLaughlin was a reserve, but he was then inserted in the starting lineup and started the final eight games. McLaughlin played well, but he could stand to get stronger for the NFL.

Previous Seasons

23 – Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

5.

Dylan McMahon, C, N.C. State

Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

11/11/23: McMahon had a mixed outing against Notre Dame in Week 2. He should return for his senior year.

7/6/23: McMahon has played a lot of guard for the Wolfpack, but the NFL advance scouts project him as a center for the NFL. Adding some strength would help McMahon as a pro, but he has talent to develop for the next level.

Previous Seasons

23 – Emil Ekiyor Jr., Alabama

6.

Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas

Height: 6-5. Weight: 302.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

11/11/23: Limmer has been the starter at center for the Razorbacks in 2023. He’s been solid, but he faces some athletic limitations for the NFL.

9/2/23: Limmer was a steady interior blocker for the Razorbacks during the past few seasons. As a senior, it would help him to show more strength and add some weight to his frame for the NFL.

Previous Seasons

23 – Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan

7.

Will Putnam, C/G, Clemson

Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

11/11/23: Putnam has been decent for Clemson.

9/2/23: Putnam enters his senior year having been a 3-year starter for the Tigers. He played guard for the Tigers in 2020 and 2021 before taking over as the starting center in 2022. Putnam improved over each season, and while center could be his best position for the next level, he offers interior flexibility for playing guard or serving as the man in the middle.

Previous Seasons

23 – Alex Forsyth, Oregon

8.

Darrian Dalcourt, C, Alabama

Height: 6-3. Weight: 310.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

11/11/23: Dalcourt is starting at right guard for Alabama. He’s been solid, but not overly impressive.

9/2/23: Dalcourt was the starting center for Alabama in 2022 and had good season. He showed improvement over his first year as a starter in 2021. In the middle of the line, Dalcourt was a consistent pass protector who did a nice job of helping to keep a clean pocket. Dalcourt has some size and length issues that could make him a center only for the NFL.

Previous Seasons

23 – Darrian Dalcourt, Alabama

9.

Michael Jurgens, C, Wake Forest

Height: 6-4. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round (2024): 5-7.

11/11/23: Jurgens is Wake Forest’s starting left guard. He’s been a solid player for the Demon Deacons.

9/2/23: Jurgens was the starting center for the Demon Deacons for the past two seasons. As a senior, Jurgens may move to guard, but with his height, he could be a guard/center flex backup to start out his pro career. It would help Jurgens to add strength for taking on NFL defensive linemen.

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P