Center Prospects

shmuck · 2016-12-18T12:07:51-08:00

Our centers suck. It's a key, yet often overlooked part of the Oline and should be addressed this offseason. http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/mcginn/2016/12/17/mcginn-class-running-backs-may-best-draft/95521504/ LSU's Ethan Pocic (6-6, 315) and Ohio State's Pat Elflein (6-2, 300) are the best of a middling group of centers. "Pocic is extremely intelligent," one scout said. "He's tough and strong. He's not elite physical talent, obviously, but he does have elite size for guard or center." Another scout compared Elflein to Green Bay's Corey Linsley, a former Buckeye drafted in the fifth round in 2014. "That's exactly how he plays," he said. "Third round. He's the best center." http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/meet-the-prospect-west-virginia-center-tyler-orlosky/ "I get excited when I can use words like 'nasty' and 'warrior' in my lineman reports, and both those words sum up No. 65. He might not be the best athlete or technician, but he has the awareness, aggressiveness and inner confidence required to get the job done." -- AFC North scouthttp://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000744889/article/nfc-executive-lsus-jamal-adams-is-my-favorite-player The scoop: "You are getting a guy who will be great for your locker room and will get the rest of the offensive line on board. I think he could have the same fast impact on a team's running game that Zack Martin had in Dallas. Safe draft pick to me." -- NFC West scout on Ohio State C Pat Elflein The skinny: While Martin moved from tackle to guard upon entering the NFL, Elflein moved from guard to center before the season. However, Elflein has plenty of starting experience at guard and could be considered at either spot by NFL teams. Elflein has good technique and excellent strength at the point of attack. During a recent conference call for the Joe Moore Award, which honors the top offensive line unit, Elflein's name came up and he was heralded as the best offensive linemen that many on the call had seen on tape all season. He has a chance to be a first-round pick. -- Lance Zierlein

Dec 18, 2016 at 12:19 PM

saniner
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Keep an eye on Jon Toth. I think he will move up after the Senior Bowl

Dec 18, 2016 at 1:19 PM

Phoenix49ers
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I like Orlosky a lot. He has that junkyard dog mentality that I liked in Jack Conklin in this past draft. Questions about his size/athleticism...etc but nobody questions his heart, toughness or intelligence.

Dec 18, 2016 at 2:35 PM

saniner
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Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I like Orlosky a lot. He has that junkyard dog mentality that I liked in Jack Conklin in this past draft. Questions about his size/athleticism...etc but nobody questions his heart, toughness or intelligence.

I really like Orlosky. I actually really like any of these guys over Martin.

Dec 18, 2016 at 5:19 PM

NinerSickness
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Posts: 8,897

It's a weak center class, unfortunately. Wasn't all that impressed with Ethan Pocic.

If the LG from Notre Dame can play center, he'd be a great pickup.

Dec 18, 2016 at 5:27 PM

tohara3
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What about Kyle Fuller of Baylor if we keep Chip Kelly & his offense?

Dec 18, 2016 at 6:35 PM

NYniner85
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Let's got the FA route for center, we need a vet IMO

J.C tretter in GB is a FA and he's their backup to Linsley, both are studs.

Dec 18, 2016 at 8:58 PM

D-Money
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This Center class is top heavy with some future studs to help build an online around.
Pocic would be a perfect fit for us and hopefully to protect our franchise qb picked at the top of the draft.

Brown, Garnett, Pocic, xxxxx, Staley is what I would like to see next year

[ Edited by D-Money on Dec 18, 2016 at 9:38 PM ]

Dec 18, 2016 at 11:29 PM

NinerSickness
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Originally posted by D-Money:
This Center class is top heavy with some future studs to help build an online around.

To whom are you referring? Who's the top-heavy center prospect(s)?

Dec 19, 2016 at 7:44 AM

NYniner85
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Originally posted by NinerSickness:

Originally posted by D-Money:
This Center class is top heavy with some future studs to help build an online around.

To whom are you referring? Who's the top-heavy center prospect(s)?

I agree outside of Pocic or Elflein this class is a little underwhelm. That's why I'd roll with J.C. Tretter in FA. The packer's have two very good centers and can't pay both (Corey Linsley is the starter and is a FA in 2018).