2021 NFL Draft: Center Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: March 27, 2021.

1. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma Projected Round 1st Round
   
   
   2020 Season Recap The 6-4 312 lb Creed Humphrey can pass block, run block, and zone block effectively on the offensive line. Did not allow a sack on 401 snaps in 2020. Creed Humphrey dominated the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. He had a 5.09 40-time and 29-reps on the bench press at Oklahoma's 2021 Pro Day.
   
   
   Creed Humphrey SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Creed Humphrey is a natural pass blocker. He did not have a single sack allowed in 2019 or 2020. His run blocking and zone blocking is superb as well. Pass blocking strength, run blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, and run blocking footwork checks out. High football IQ. Maintains blocks for 5-7 seconds which is what you want in an offensive lineman. Keeps his back straight Has long arms and ideal arm length for a starting center. Has experience at both left guard and right spots as well. Does well with double teams.
   
   
   
   Extremely durable. Durability is not an issue. Displays excellent leadership. Had the highest Relative Athletic Score of any center prospect entering the NFL Draft dating back to 1987. Was lifting 400 lbs and squatting 600 lbs when he signed his commmitment to Oklahoma.
   
   
   
   Creed Humphrey is great with the kick slide too. Creed Humphrey can probably lift and squat more than he did heading into his freshman season at Oklahoma.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Creed Humphrey used Oklahoma's Pro Day to turn all of his weaknesses into strengths. Creed Humphrey may have the fewest weaknesses of any offensive lineman in this entire draft.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 23. New York Jets, 24. Pittsburgh Steelers, 27. Baltimore Ravens, 29. Green Bay Packers, and 31. Kansas City Chiefs. Creed Humphrey was a second round pick in my three round NFL Mock Draft, but he will be a first round pick in my 7 round 2021 NFL Mock Draft whenever I next update it.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Creed Humphrey. Kyle Pitts got the highest potential grade that I ever gave a tight end. Well Creed Humphrey also got the highest potential grade that I ever gave a center. I gave him a 94/99 potential grade since I began watching the NFL Draft religiously in 2007. Alex Mack 93, Eric Wood 93, Maurkice Pouncey 90, Mike Pouncey 90, and Garrett Bradbury 90 were my highest graded centers prior to my SWOT report of Creed Humphrey.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 94/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Creed Humphrey did not allow a sack in 799 plays in 2019. He could have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, but chose to come back to school. Another strong season could get him picked in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama Projected Round 2nd Round
   
   
   2020 Season Recap The 6-6 326 lb Landon Dickerson dominated as a pass blocker, run blocker, and zone blocker in 2020. He was the starting center on an offensive line that only allowed 11 sacks. He protected quarterback Mac Jones by not allowing a sack and opened lanes up for running back Najee Harris in 2020. He participated in the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl and dominated Alabama's Pro Day.
   
   
   Landon Dickerson SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Landon Dickerson is a natural pass blocker. His run blocking and zone blocking is superb as well. Pass blocking strength, run blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, and run blocking footwork checks out. High football IQ. Maintains blocks for 5-7 seconds which is what you want in an offensive lineman. Keeps his back straight Has long arms and ideal arm length for a starting center. Has experience at both left guard and right spots as well. Had the highest run blocking grade for a center in 2020 according to Pro Football Focus. Also the best downfield blocker in this draft.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Landon Dickerson struggled in the kick slide drill. He needs to do a better job shuffling his feet. He also needs to master his technique against double teams. Stands up at the snap losing leverage battle.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 35. Atlanta Falcons, 42. New York Giants, 50. Miami Dolphins, 55. Pittsburgh Steelers, and 57. Los Angeles Rams. Landon Dickerson is a second round center. I've seen some mocks put him ahead of Creed Humphrey which I don't agree with after rewatching the tape and evaluating both of the top two centers at their Pro Days.
   
   
   
   Threats: Landon Dickerson got injured in the SEC Championship. He also had a minor injury at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. Durability may be a concern with Landon Dickerson despite his massive ceiling. Think Maurkice Pouncey's upside with Mike Pouncey's durability.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 90/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Landon Dickerson transferred from Florida State to Alabama in 2019. He only gave up 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries in his first year as a starter. He can surge up boards if he improves on that in 2020.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Josh Myers, C, Ohio State Projected Round 3rd Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-5 312 lb Josh Myers can pass block and run block effectively on the offensive line. He is a natural center.
   
   
   Josh Myers SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Josh Myers is good at pass blocking and run blocking. Good pass blocking strength for a center. He's got the run blocking strength and run blocking footwork to be a good starting center. He wins with excellent technique. Has the power and athleticism to be a starting center in the NFL.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Needs to improve pass blocking footwork, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork. Struggles as a zone blocker which limits him to a pass blocking or run blocking scheme. His accuracy on blocks can drop when chasing the second level.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 76. New York Giants, 82. Miami Dolphins, 89. Los Angeles Rams, 93. Green Bay Packers, and 95. Kansas City Chiefs. Those are five different NFL teams that could take a look at Josh Myers in the third round. I mocked Myers to Green Bay in my last three round mock, but Elgton Jenkins may move to center in 2021.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Josh Myers. Some people think he's got the best floor of any center in the 2021 NFL Draft. He's a good starter.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 88/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Josh Myers father was an offensive lineman at Kentucky while his mother was a basketball player. His older brother was also an offensive lineman at Kentucky and graduated in 2016. Josh Myers graduated from High School in January of 2017 and enrolled into Ohio State a semester early. He redshirted in 2017 and sat behind Michael Jordan in 2018. He did well in his first year as a starting center in 2019. He could be a day 2 pick with a strong junior redshirt season in 2020.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Trey Hill, C, Georgia Projected Round 4th Round
   
   
   2020 Season Recap The 6-4 330 lb Trey Hill can pass block, run block, and zone block effectively on the offensive line. Trey Hill declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. He did not dominate Georgia's Pro Day like Ben Cleveland did, but he's got just as much upside.
   
   
   Trey Hill SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Trey Hill has good pass blocking, run blocking, and zone blocking. Has the run blocking strength and run blocking footwork to dominate at center. Arguably the best run blocking center in this draft outside of Landon Dickerson. Trey Hill did well at center for Georgia in 2020. He's got the stamina to block and was in on 95 percent of Georgia's plays during games in 2020.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Possesses very heavy feet. He may need to lose some weight before he can start at the next level.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 109. Houston Texans, 128. Pittsburgh Steelers, 131. Baltimore Ravens, 136. Kansas City Chiefs, and 137. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those are a few teams that could target Trey Hill in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
   
   
   
   Threats: Unlike his predecessor Lamont Gaillard. He put off a surgery until December. I'd argue he's got a higher upside than Gaillard, but Trey Hill isn't as safe of a prospect as his predecessor.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 87/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Trey Hill came in for an injured Lamont Gallard against Kentucky in 2018. He started every game at center in 2019. A big 2020 season coul get Trey Hill on some NFL Draft radars.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky Projected Round 4th Round
   
   
   2020 Season Recap The 6-1 290 lb Drake Jackson can pass block, run block, and zone block effectively on the offensive line. Drake Jackson did well at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.
   
   
   Drake Jackson SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Has good pass blocking, run blocking, and zone blocking. Has good pass blocking footwork. Has the run blocking strength and run blocking footwork you want a center to have. Shows great leadership. Drake Jackson got voted team captain as a senior at Kentucky. Extremely durable. Has 44 consecutive career starts at center.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Drake Jackson just needs to improve his pass blocking strength. Adding some muscle to get up to 300 lbs would also help.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 109. Houston Texans, 128. Pittsburgh Steelers, 131. Baltimore Ravens, 136. Kansas City Chiefs, and 137. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those are a few teams that could target Drake Jackson in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Drake Jackson. He's a pretty safe prospect. Jim Nagy who runs the Reese's Senior Bowl compared Jackson to David Andrews the New England Patriots center. My friend Dion Reed mentioned Jackson in the Summer during his top 100 College Football Player's To Watch series and that's where I first heard about Drake Jackson. After doing some research on Jackson, I pinpointed him as a sleeper very early in the draft process around July before College Football started for 2020. I'm just glad I got the honor of watching Drake Jackson in Mobile.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 86/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Drake Jackson has 33 career consecutive starts at Kentucky. He was in my friend Dion Reed's top 100 players to watch for College Football series. After finding out how durable he was, I realized this is a guy who could take off with a strong 2020 senior season.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Michal Menet, C, Penn State Projected Round 5th Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-4 306 lb Michal Menet can pass block, run block, and zone block effectively on the offensive line. He is a good center prospect.
   
   
   
   I posted a film cut of Penn State center Michal Menet VS Penn State. Go ahead and check it out.
   
   
   
   
   
   Michal Menet SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Michal Menet is good at pass blocking, run blocking, and zone blocking. Has the pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork. He beat out Connor McGovern for the center job as a sophomore redshirt at Penn State in 2018.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Needs to improve pull blocks, pancake blocks, and cut blocks. He can be a starting NFL center if he does those things.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: 140. Pittsburgh Steelers, 150 Philadelphia Eagles, 151. Carolina Panthers, 152. Denver Broncos, and 162. Las Vegas Raiders. Michal Menot is a fifth round prospect. The earliest I could see him going is the late fourth round with Pittsburgh's compensation pick assuming both Trey Hill and Drake Jackson are off the board.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Michal Menet. He's a borderline starter.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 85/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Michal Menet beat out Connor McGovern for the center job at Penn State as a sophomore redshirt in 2018. A year later he got promoted to team captain. He's a player to watch as he enters his third season at center and second season as team captain as a senior redshirt in 2020.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Drew Dalman, C, Stanford Projected Round 6th Round
   
   
   2020 Season Recap The 6-3 300 lb Drew Dalman played center for Stanford in 2020. He did not allow a pressure or a sack in 2020 as the team captain on Stanford's offensive line.
   
   
   Drew Dalman SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Drew Dalman knows how to use pass protection. He does a good job using his hands when executing blocks in pass protection. Great mover. Has good intangibles and a great football IQ. Son of Super Bowl winning center Chris Dalman.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Lacks great length and size. Lacks the pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork. Dalman's run blocking, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork need to improve as well.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: I have a sixth round grade on Drew Dalman. Drew Dalman is someone I have a late round grade on.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Drew Dalman. Just a limited ceiling. He projects as a backup center in the NFL.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 77/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Drew Dalman is the son of former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Chris Dalman who was part of San Francisco's Super Bowl 29 team. He played at right guard for 4 games. His main position on Stanford's offensive line is at center though.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Jimmy Morrissey, C, Pittsburgh Projected Round 6th Round
   
   
   2020 Season Recap The 6-3 303 lb Jimmy Morrissey is a four year starter at center for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was a team captain for the Pittsburgh Panthers on offense in 2020. Jimmy Morrissey won the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy. He got ACC named to the All-ACC Academic Football Team for the fourth consecutive year, joining former offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty as the only Pittsburgh Panthers player to achieve that feat. He also received a late invite to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. Jimmy Morrisey ran a 5.30 40-time and did 26-reps on the bench press. His 31-inch vertical jump, 9-inch broad jump, 4.46 short shuttle, and 1.68 10-yard split also stood out at Pittsburgh's Pro Day since Tristan Wirfs had a 1.69 10-yard split.
   
   
   Jimmy Morrissey SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Jimmy Morrissey has the pass blocking, run blocking, and zone blocking you want a center to have. He protected Kenny Pickett in 2020. He's got good pass blocking strength and run blocking strength. Great athleticism for a center.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Lacks pass blocking footwork and run blocking footwork to succeed in the NFL. Needs to improve hand placement on blocks. Also needs to take better angles when blocking. May not have the skill set to pull block, pancake block, or cut block at the next level.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: I have a sixth round grade on Jimmy Morrissey. Jimmy Morrissey is talented enough to warrant a sixth round pick. Having more weaknesses than strengths makes him a career backup in the NFL.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Jimmy Morrissey. Just a limited ceiling. He projects as a backup center in the NFL.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 76/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2020
   
   
   Jimmy Morrissey is a three year starter at center for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He enters his final season at Pittsburgh as the starting center for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Harry Crider, C, Indiana Projected Round 7th Round
   
   
   2018 Season Recap The 6-4 311 lb Harry Crider was the starting center on Indiana. He was voted team captain of Indiana in 2020.
   
   
   Harry Crider SWOT Report
   
   
   Strengths: Got voted team captain by teammates. Has violent hands and a desire to bury opponents. Can play left guard, center, or right guard with his versatility.
   
   
   
   Weaknesses: Needs to improve pass blocking, run blocking, and zone blocking.
   
   
   
   Opportunities: I have a seventh round grade on Harry Crider. He's someone who should get drafted on day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
   
   
   
   Threats: There are no threats with Harry Crider. Just a limited ceiling. He projects as a backup interior offensive lineman in the NFL.
   
   
   
   Potential Grade: 71/99
   
   
   
   
   Before 2021
   
   
   Harry Crider got his degree in Criminal Justice in 2019. He comes back to Indiana for one more season. He can focus strictly on football so he needs ot have a big year in 2020 if he wants to get drafted.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Ryan McCollum, C, Texas A&M Projected Round 7th Round
    
    
    2020 Season Recap The 6-5 300 lb Ryan McCollum is the only center in this draft with the versatility to play all five spots on the offensive line at left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, and right tackle. He got voted team captain for Texas A&M in 2020.
    
    
    Ryan McCollum SWOT Report
    
    
    Strengths: Ryan McCollum did well as a pass blocker in 2020. His run blocking and zone blocking is superb as well. Versatile enough to play all five spots on the offensive line.
    
    
    
    Weaknesses: Needs to imrpove his zone blocking. Pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork need to improve. Sometimes takes bad angles.
    
    
    
    Opportunities: I have a seventh round grade on Ryan McCollum. He's someone who should get drafted on day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    Threats: Unlike Erik McCoy who had no threats. Ryan McCollum never started 10 games or more in any of his four seasons at Texas A&M. One has to wonder if durability is an issue.
    
    
    
    Potential Grade: 70/99
    
    
    
    
    Before 2020
    
    
    Ryan McCollum redshirted in 2016. He's played center in each of the last three seasons. He came in as a backup for a few games when Erik McCoy missed time. He finally earned the starting center job in 2019 when Erik McCoy was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Ryan McCollum could be a late round pick with a strong senior season in 2020.