By Michael Stewart @golferbad
Introduction: In these early projections, I will only project players who I believe will be playing the majority of their games at the position listed. However; often times’ players will move around based on need or injuries.
Therefore; my top 10 centers are prospects that I believe will be playing most of the games at center. This will be the same when I project the top guards and tackles as well. As always, this list could change over the course of the season and will be adjusted before the draft.
- Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin) 6’3/325: Biadasz is an extremely powerful, smash-mouth type center that doesn’t need help to block top tier, defensive linemen. Excels with a combination of power and balance.
- Jake Hansen(Oregon) 6’5/298: Hansen is an extremely powerful and good technique with his arms and hands. Hansen can benefit himself by adding an additional 15-20 pounds to his frame at the NFL level.
- Nick Harris (Washington) 6’1/302: Harris stays on his blocks well and competes on every play. Harris has good technique with his hands and feet and moves well outside the tackles.
- Frederick Mauigoa (Washington State) 6’3/310: Mauigoa has evolved as one of the top centers in the country. Mauigoa has sound technique and is much more advanced as a pass blocker playing at Washington State’s offensive philosophy.
- Darryl Williams (Mississippi State) 6’2/310: Williams excels between the tackles as a run blocker as well as a pass protector. Williams utilizes his strong lower body to his advantage as he gets lower in his blocks to maintain leverage over his opponents.
- Lloyd Cushenberry (LSU) 6’4/315: Cushenberry is tough and dependable that rarely misses a play. Cushenberry has sound technique and works well between the tackles. Relatively new at the center position, but his ceiling is high.
- Cesar Ruiz (Michigan) 6’4/319: Ruiz is extremely versatile and can play either the center or guard positions. Riuz long arms and body are coveted by most NFL teams at the center position and Riuz can handle the majority of defensive linemen alone.
- Sean Pollard (Clemson) 6’5/320: Pollard played guard in 2018 for the National Champions, however; he will be asked to move to center in 2019. Pollard is explosive off the ball and plays to the whistle. Could eventually move back to guard at the NFL level.
- Zach Shackelford (Texas) 6’4/305: Shackelford is a steady presence on the offensive line for the longhorns. Shackelford stays on his blocks and moves well inside or outside the tackles.
- Keith Ismael (San Diego State) 6’3/311: Ismael makes my top 10 as he leaped over a couple of notable prospects. Ismael is physical and has a strong base. Many scouts view him as a possible guard in the NFL; which is a strong possibility. Ismael could add more weight to his frame and not miss a beat.
Final Thoughts: The Giants could seriously be in the market for a center in 2020 as Jon Halapio struggled all year and finished out the season with a torn Achilles. It’s unclear if the Giants re-sign him or let him walk.
The Giants backup center Spencer Pulley could be a victim of a casualty cut, but that is still unclear at this time. One thing is clear and that’s the problems of the Giants offensive line is not going to go away on it’s own. This is the year that Gettleman must make good on his earlier promises of fixing the offensive line.