Nonstopdrivel
4 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
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : WR who said he'd break Xavier Worthy 40 time...and ran slower than you
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Who?
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Texas’ WR Isaiah Bond is scheduled to visit the Bills, Browns, Chiefs, Falcons, Packers and Titans starting next week.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Spotting ball isn't changing, only measuring distance is, Which wasn't the issue.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : The spotting of the ball IS the issue. Not the chain gang.
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Will there be a tracker on the ball or something?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : uh oh
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.
Mucky Tundra (1-Apr) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.
beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.
Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏
beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it
beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂
beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (29-Mar) : sure is
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game
wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft
earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for
earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan
earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so
earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.
Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?
wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero
Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.
beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.
beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.
buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?
dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary
Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!
beast (21-Mar) : Unsigned FA QB Rodgers is supposedly in the Steelers building
Martha Careful (19-Mar) : But I don't own a car! So can I still use it in my apartment?
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : btw, new site auto updates
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : Woohoo!
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
6h / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Zero2Cool

2-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

2-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

1-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

1-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

31-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

30-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

29-Mar / Random Babble / wpr

28-Mar / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / dfosterf

28-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

26-Mar / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

25-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-Mar / Random Babble / packerfanoutwest

24-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

21-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.