The 2021 NFL draft has a great group of centers that could be of value as the draft continues on.
Centers are very important for a football team as the lead and help to direct the offensive line. They’re one of the main communicators on the offense and that is very important for any team across the league. Finding a good player that is good in every facet is never easy but this class is a great one. They can block, communicate, and have the mobility to be an all-around player moving forward.
It will be interesting to see where these players go in the draft but many expect the highest rated one to go late day one or early day two. Even though the top three on this list are highly regarded, there are still good prospects available behind them. Selecting one of these three should shore up that position for years to come as they are some of the best centers to enter the league over the last couple of classes.
Number Three: Josh Myers, Ohio State
Josh Myers is one of the best centers in this class coming out of Ohio State. He saw nothing but success during his time in Columbus with that powerhouse of a program. He is a strong communicator across the offensive trenches and that is one of his best attributes. He could use work on his positioning at times because it can become sloppy and that leads to him being beat at the point of attack.
Fixing up those mistakes will make Myers an amazing center in the NFL as his experience in college will only help him going forward. Even though he is not a fully polished prospect, his ceiling is high and with proper coaching, he will get there in no time.
Landon Dickerson, Alabama
Landon Dickerson was one of the highest-rated at his position heading into this past season. He played well for the Crimson Tide and allowed for his draft stock to stay steady. The issue with Dickerson is not his play or characteristics but the injury that he sustained very late in the season. During the SEC Championship Game, he had an injury occur that required surgery to fix his ACL and that could cause major concerns for NFL teams going forward. Before the injury, this prospect seemed like a sure-fire first-round selection and he still might be even with the injury situation. He is a great player and fierce competitor, the injury will hamper his draft stock but this is a first-round talent.
An ACL injury can be catastrophic for some careers but with modern science and rehab, this should be a fixable issue. He will go back to normal and it would not surprise many if he is still selected late in the first round. The only shocker for Dickerson would be if he was still available late on day two of the draft process. This player would be number one on the list if he did not have the injury issue but that should not hinder him in his NFL career. This would be a great addition to any team in need of a center late in the first round or early second round.
Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
Creed Humphrey is the most physical and talented center in this draft class. He is ready to start in the NFL on day one and that plug and playability are enticing. He is not being selected in the first round for most mock drafts but he should be as the day gets closer. Humphrey has not allowed a single sack against during his last two years playing at Oklahoma and that is extremely impressive as his pass-protecting is elite. He can use his frame and technique to be the best at his position in the draft crop. He showed up nicely during the Reese’s Senior Bowl week down in Mobile, Alabama. He put on a clinic against the defenders that he faced all week during practice and then the game itself.
Humphrey is expected to go anywhere from the late first round to the second day depending on if a team likes him enough to choose him early. It seems more likely that he will go sometime in the second round based on how much media attention is lacking in his direction. He is a first-round talent that could become one of the best at his position in the NFL for years to come.
This crop of centers is deep this season as many teams will look to fill the communicator in the center of the offensive trenches. Getting one of these three should create a great starter for years to come.