NFL Analysis
3/23/24
6 min read
2024 NFL Draft: Ranking Top 7 Center Prospects
The 2024 NFL Draft features at least four center prospects who could be picked in the first two or three rounds, including one who often is mocked in the first round. This ranking pivots to the pivots of the offensive line.
Here are our top seven center prospects.
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Draft's Top 7 Centers
7. Andrew Raym, Oklahoma 
Big Board Rank: 126
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 314 pounds
Andrew Raym is a high-ceiling center who has been a difference-maker in the run game. However, he will be limited to a backup role as a versatile interior blocker until he can work on his hands, base and footwork in pass protection.
Raym has a thick upper body and has room to thicken up his lower body without compromising his athleticism. He moves well for his size but lacks a true mauler mentality.
Raym projects as a backup interior lineman at the next level. His higher ceiling will be at center, where he has starting potential if everything comes together in pass protection. He could be a backup at either guard position, as well. He will fit better in a zone scheme where he can use his athleticism to reach defenders and work up to the second level.
>>READ MORE: Raym's Full Scouting Report
6. Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin 
Big Board Rank: 123
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 303 pounds
Tanor Bortolini is an experienced player who has the strength and mental fortitude to excel at the next level. However, his reactive athleticism and body control must improve for him to be a consistent starter along the interior at the next level.
Bortolini has a solid frame and is light on his feet, but he has subpar arm length. He is a tough competitor who was a clear leader of his offensive line unit.
Bortolini projects as a versatile backup interior offensive lineman who will fit best in a zone-blocking scheme. With his experience playing center and both guard spots, he shows the awareness and effectiveness to do this at the professional ranks.
>>READ MORE: Bortolini's Full Scouting Report
5. Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia 
Big Board Rank: 97
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 298 pounds
Sedrick Van Pran has the explosive get-off, stout anchor and second-level ability to be a starter at the next level, but he will need to further develop his leg drive and body control to reach his ceiling. He suffered a slight left knee injury in the middle of the 2023 season, but it did not keep him out of any games.
Van Pran is a densely built athlete with an explosive first couple of steps and smooth athleticism in space. He has a good motor and is consistently looking for a defender to hit.
Van Pran projects as a limited starter at center only in a zone-dominant blocking scheme where he can use his skill set to clear lanes up to the second level. He can be used in some pulling schemes to create different looks for defenses. He has the quick anchor and versatile run-blocking ability to flex out to either guard spot in a pinch, but he would be most effective in the middle of the line.
>>READ MORE: Van Pran's Full Scouting Report
4. Hunter Nourzad, Penn State 
Big Board Rank: 53
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 317 pounds
Hunter Nourzad is a very smart and experienced center prospect who has the versatility to help at guard. He stands out due to his flexibility and strong hands in the passing game, and he has surprising range and desire to finish defenders in the run game.
Nourzad is a well-built player with a thick base and acceptable length for the position. He shows good toughness and competes through the whistle on every snap.
Nourzad projects as an NFL starting center with the versatility to play guard to boot. His intelligence, range and adeptness on combo blocks make him scheme versatile and a good fit in multiple run schemes. His flexibility when anchoring the pocket specifically will make him valuable in the passing game.
>>READ MORE: Nourzad's Full Scouting Report
3. Beaux Limmer, Arkansas 
Big Board Rank: 50
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 302 pounds
Beaux Limmer is an experienced and stout player who is still learning the center position, but if he can improve his footwork and hand-fighting skills to minimize his weaknesses, he could have a solid NFL career.
Limmer is a tall center prospect who has worked on adding positive weight during his college career. He has minimal bad weight, and his frame could support some additional muscle, although it may not be needed. Limmer possesses immense strength in his upper and lower body and can generate powerful torque when he is in position. He looks like a natural mover in space but struggles with short-area reactive athleticism and agility.
Limmer projects as a low-end starting center who could also back up a guard position. His diverse blocking experience gives him some scheme versatility, but an offensive scheme with a power run game and traditional vertical dropback passing game would suit his skill set best.
>>READ MORE: Limmer's Full Scouting Report
2. Zach Frazier, West Virginia 
Big Board Rank: 48
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Zach Frazier is an athletic center who uses his football intelligence and footwork to win as a blocker. However, his lack of size, strength and power may make it difficult for him against bigger interior defenders.
While Frazier isn’t the biggest or strongest lineman, he makes up for it with his athleticism, smarts and toughness. He shows that he’ll finish some blocks through the whistle and competes on every down.
Frazier projects as a low-end starting center at the next level in a scheme that allows him to get into space often, whether it be gap, duo, outside zones and/or screens. He has some size limitations that hinder his ability to start at guard but could fill in as a backup due to his athleticism and footwork.
>>READ MORE: Frazier's Full Scouting Report
1. Jackson Powers-Johnson, oregon 
Big Board Rank: 27
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 328 pounds
Jackson Powers-Johnson can improve in maintaining consistent leverage and hand striking but has great overall strength, physicality and athleticism that will make him reliable in the run and pass games at the next level.
Powers-Johnson has good weight and strength but lacks some length. He is a physical athlete with functional athleticism, although he is not twitchy. He is a tough battle for any defensive lineman or linebacker and competes on every play.
Powers-Johnson projects as a high-end starter with position flexibility, but his best position is center. He displays the ability to play anywhere along the interior offensive line. Powers-Johnson has the short-set anchor, strength, aggression and awareness to play center and guard. He should slot into multiple schemes.
>>READ MORE: Powers-Johnson's Full Scouting Report
