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2013 NFL Draft: Center Rankings

The top 2013 center prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * - denotes 2014 prospect. ** - denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated May 14, 2012. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: draftcampbell@gmail.com
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

2012 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2013 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Barrett Jones, T/G/C, Alabama
Height: 6-5. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2013): Top 25.
5/14/12: Jones had a tremendous junior season at left tackle and it has really elevated his draft stock. In his biggest test of 2011, Jones was playing very well against LSU before he sustained an ankle injury in the second half. Early in the evening, Jones was doing a phenomenal job of run blocking for Trent Richardson, and Alabama had a lot of success running behind Jones. He also wasn't getting help with LSU's speed rushers on the edge, and Jones was rock solid not allowing a sack or pressure. He had another good game in the National Championship

Jones moved to left tackle last season after playing guard the previous two years. His transisition was flawless. He did a fabulous job of run blocking for Trent Richardson, and was equally good in pass protection. Jones is an intelligent player who has the physical tools to be effective. Interestingly, Alabama has moved Jones to center for his senior season. He is extremely smart and versatile. It will be interesting to see where Jones plays in the NFL, but he definitely could play guard.

Jones started 14 games at guard in 2009 as a redshirt freshman and Ingram ran his way to a Heisman. Jones stayed at right guard and started 11 games there in 2010. He was named as a First-Team All-SEC selection last season.

Khaled Holmes, C, USC
Height: 6-4. Weight: 305.
Projected 40 Time: 5.58.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
5/14/12: Holmes had an impressive 2011 season and was a second team Pac-12 selection. He was a fabulous pass protector for Matt Barkley. Holmes also did a good job of opening up holes in the ground game for Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler.

Holmes is a good athlete who is quick off the snap. He was a starter at guard as a sophomore in 2010. Holmes is a natural center, but could use more strength for the next level. He has the frame to add weight and that would help him push defensive linemen off the ball.

Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
Height: 6-5. Weight: 285.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/14/12: Dalton Freeman has started the past three seasons at center for Clemson. He did a good job of blocking for C.J. Spiller as freshman in 2009 and for Andre Ellington the past two years. The senior Freeman is a mobile center who will need to add some power to his game for the NFL. He has the frame to get bigger.

Freeman is athletic and would probably be a best fit in a zone-blocking scheme at the next level. He did a good job of pass protection for quarterback Tajh Boyd in 2011.

James Ferentz, C, Iowa
Height: 6-2. Weight: 284.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/14/12: Ferentz is the son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. As expected, James Ferentz is a well-developed center and is a balanced run and pass blocker. He led the way for a strong running game with running back Marcus Coker in 2011. Ferentz was a Big Ten honorable mention for his junior season. The main thing holding him back is a lack of size, but he is very intelligent.

Graham Pocic, C, Illinois
Height: 6-5. Weight: 305.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/14/12: Pocic started the past two seasons at center for Illinois. He has some real athleticism. Pocic did a good job of blocking for Mikel Leshoure in 2010. Pocic needs to improve his strength, but he has the height and frame to be able to add more mass.

Ben Habern, C, Oklahoma
Height: 6-2. Weight: 291.
Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/14/12: Habern started the season strong with three good games for the Sooners. He broke his arm against Missouri and missed the next four games. Habern had some inconsistencies later and that hurt his stock some this year. He should improve his run blocking.

Habern has been a three-year starter for Oklahoma. Smaller and athletic, he is a strong pass blocker. Habern works well with Landry Jones, and should have a strong season in 2012. Habern was an All-Big XII honorable mention in 2010.

Gabe Ikard*, G/C, Oklahoma
Height: 6-2. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/14/12: Gabe Ikard started 11 games as a freshman in 2010. He was selected as a First-Team All-Freshman All-American by numerous media outlets and was named an honorable mention All-Big XII by the AP. Ikard was an All-Big XII first-teamer in 2011, splitting time between guard and center. Starting center Ben Habern missed multiple games with a broken arm, and Ikard filled in with seven starts at center. He returned to left guard for the final three games.

In the long term, center may be a better position for Ikard as he is undersized for guard. He could replace Habern as the starting center in 2013. Ikard has a good skill set, but needs to add some bulk and power to his game, along with making general improvements from simply gaining experience. Ikard is an Academic All-American and graded out the highest of any of Oklahoma's offensive linemen including Habern and draft pick Donald Stephenson.

Mario Benavides, C, Louisville
Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2012): 4-5.
5/14/12: Mario Benavides enters his senior season having started the past three years at center for the Cardinals. Benavides missed the first three games of last season with a knee injury, but he returned to start the final 10 games. Benavides is experienced, and if he plays well in 2012, he should solidify his stock as a mid-round pick.

Grant Garner, C, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 292.
Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
5/14/12: Garner played well in 2011, his second year as a starter. He did well in run blocking, but was superb at keeping the pocket clean for quarterback Brandon Weeden. Garner played well against Stanford to conclude the season. He will need a strong season to solidify his draft status.

Sam Schwartzstein, C, Stanford
Height: 6-3. Weight: 290.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
5/14/12: Schwartzstein is sleeper center prospect who deserves more attention. He won the starting center position heading into the 2011 season after being a backup his first two years. Schwartzstein formed an excellent interior tandem with guard David DeCastro. They led the way for a strong interior running game and Schwartzstein was a very good pass protector for Andrew Luck.

Against Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu, Schwartzstein played a leading role in shutting him down. It was an excellent tape for Schwartzstein to display for NFL scouts. It wouldn't be surprising if he rises higher in these rankings after his senior season.

Braxston Cave*, C, Notre Dame
Height: 6-3. Weight: 303.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2013): 5-7.
5/14/12: Braxston Cave broke into the starting lineup in 2010. He has a nice combination of strength and mobility. Cave needs to stay healthy and improve to help his draft stock. One thing that helps him is that he has some long-snapping experience.

Joe Madsen, C, West Virginia
Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2013): 6-FA.
5/14/12: Madsen enters his fourth season as a starter for West Virginia. He has been an All-Big East selection and is a quality pass blocker for quarterback Geno Smith. Madsen needs a strong season to make sure he gets drafted.

Ditka'sArmy88 05-23-2012 11:50 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.135 (total posts: 1)

Do you hate Notre Dame or something? Cave is #1. Did you see how much they missed him after he got injured?

emenaker 05-18-2012 04:12 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1)

What about Travis Swanson? He should be on this list.

Barret Jones 05-15-2012 04:23 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.213 (total posts: 1)

Why is Jones listed as a center ? Guy is a LT and will probably go in the top 15

Michael 05-15-2012 03:53 am xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1)

Y'all stupid. This is the 2013 draft prospects NOT 2012. That's why certain guys are missin'.

Tree 04-04-2012 10:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.123 (total posts: 1)

Molk stinks. He talks a big game but if he were so great he wouldn't be three rounds lower than Konz.

Ben Jones 01-09-2012 01:12 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.88 (total posts: 1)

I'm not a pass rusher walt

AC 01-09-2012 11:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx.174 (total posts: 1)

Tyler Horn should be 5-7th round....

Richard 12-30-2011 08:29 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 2)

Molk is listed by most every other legit forecaster to be no worse than the number 4 center. Yet, he isn't even listed here.

NFL Draft Scouts has him the #2 center to be taken in the 3 or 4th round. CBS Sports has him as the #4 Center. College Sports Madness has him as the #94 best player, and #2 Center. Tom Melton NFL Draft Blog has him the #1 center, and in consideration for the 2nd or 3rd round.

I think he goes in the 3rd round and no worse then the 3rd center off the boards.

Tom 12-19-2011 01:04 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.60 (total posts: 2)

No way can you leave the 2011 Rimington Trophy Winner out of this list. Brewster never even made the 6 finalist for this trophy.....David Molk would be an asset to any NFL team.

Tom 12-19-2011 01:04 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.60 (total posts: 2)

No way can you leave the 2011 Rimington Trophy Winner out of this list. Brewster never even made the 6 finalist for this trophy.....David Molk would be an asset to any NFL team.

Mike 12-13-2011 02:14 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.132 (total posts: 1)

Molk Blake and Salsberry all missing. Fix it plz.

Richard 12-10-2011 09:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 2)

I don't see how you can leave Michigan's David Molk completely off the list. After all, he just won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best Center.

That should amount to at least a mention.

Damien 12-07-2011 12:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.21 (total posts: 1)

David Molk should be included here. One of the most versatile centers in college, he could be at least a developmental player for any team in the NFL.

John Ridings 12-05-2011 12:23 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.41 (total posts: 2)

Still no Philip Blake?

John Ridings 12-05-2011 12:23 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.41 (total posts: 2)

still no David Molk?

Pages: 12 3

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24

2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22

Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7

2013 NFL Draft: Center Rankings

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