Keep On Cringing About Center

[Moriarty]

On the other hand, it does not look like it will be a banner year of any kind for the Cs, especially after three went in the top 50 picks or so last April. In fact, it may be kind of telling that the arguably the most talented C in college football these days is Parker Brailsford, who transferred from Washington to Alabama this winter, but he’s way undersized at a listed 6-2, 275 which needless to say could compromise his draft potential. Indeed, in the end, Texas A&M’s Bryce Foster, who at least has prototype size at 6-4, 330, could be the first C off the board next April, but it may not be until the third day.

[dplank]

Connor Williams ever sign anywhere? I couldn't find anything so I'm assuming not...I'd still nab him and slide Bates over to G.

[wab]

Guess that played into part of why Poles went after Bates again.

It still wouldn't surprise me if they sniff around Williams once camp starts.

[RichH55]

Creed Humphrey is potentially UFA after this season

[Heinz D.]

Connor Williams ever sign anywhere? I couldn't find anything so I'm assuming not...I'd still nab him and slide Bates over to G.

The last I knew, he hadn't signed with anyone. Also, it's been reported he's had conversations with the Bears.

I was gonna bring that up the other day, but spaced it off...

[wab]

He's still rehabbing from his December ACL tear. Initially they thought he wasn't going to be ready to start the season, but his agent (Rosenhaus I think) recently came out and said he expects him to be in someone's camp.

[Moriarty]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agen ... ning-camp/

"Connor has had a remarkable recovery, nothing short of miraculous," Rosenhaus said in an interview with WSVN. "Really looking good for the start of the season. There's a lot of teams interested in him. But I'm just delighted for Connor. Did not anticipate him going to training camp with the team and felt like it might be something during the season before he played, but now he's done an awesome job and we're gonna see Connor Williams in someone's training camp."

Of course, you have to caveat that with:


a) "in someone's training camp" doesn't mean "the whole thing". Arriving for the last day of camp would technically be "in someone's training camp."
b) His agent is free to bullshit on his client's behalf


Everyone's different with injuries, but he went down Dec 11, I believe - I refuse to believe anything sooner than Aug 11 (8 months) until I see it. (And that wouldn't be my guess)

However, for athletes and those looking to get back to a sport, recovery can take some time. For this group, 8 months to a year after surgery is the average timeline for getting back to their previous athletic level.

[thunderspirit]

On the other hand, it does not look like it will be a banner year of any kind for the Cs, especially after three went in the top 50 picks or so last April. In fact, it may be kind of telling that the arguably the most talented C in college football these days is Parker Brailsford, who transferred from Washington to Alabama this winter, but he’s way undersized at a listed 6-2, 275 which needless to say could compromise his draft potential. Indeed, in the end, Texas A&M’s Bryce Foster, who at least has prototype size at 6-4, 330, could be the first C off the board next April, but it may not be until the third day.

Foster transferred to Kansas last month. (Aside: I think highly of Mike Elko, so his decision to move on from Foster absolutely gives me some pause.)

I am firmly of the belief that smart, tough Day 3 guys at the spot are usually adequate, so consider that perspective when I give my list.

Eli Cox (Kentucky) is pretty good, though he turns 24 in October. Jake Majors (Texas) is a C-only guy with has 41 starts under his belt. Jake Slaughter (Florida), Jonah Monheim (USC), Gus Hartwig (Purdue), and FCS transfer Torricelli Simpkins III (South Carolina) are some other guys I like for the 2025 draft.

[Moriarty]

Foster transferred to Kansas last month. (Aside: I think highly of Mike Elko, so his decision to move on from Foster absolutely gives me some pause.)

I am firmly of the belief that smart, tough Day 3 guys at the spot are usually adequate, so consider that perspective when I give my list.

Eli Cox (Kentucky) is pretty good, though he turns 24 in October. Jake Majors (Texas) is a C-only guy with has 41 starts under his belt. Jake Slaughter (Florida), Jonah Monheim (USC), Gus Hartwig (Purdue), and FCS transfer Torricelli Simpkins III (South Carolina) are some other guys I like for the 2025 draft.

I'm keeping my eye on Eli Cox & Logan Jones
But I'm also keeping my standard pessimism about the C crop, and then dialing it up from usual.

[Heinz D.]

The Bears have options. They could sign Williams, and be fine with him sitting until November, or somethinng.

And maybe they will...

[wab]

Foster transferred to Kansas last month. (Aside: I think highly of Mike Elko, so his decision to move on from Foster absolutely gives me some pause.)

I am firmly of the belief that smart, tough Day 3 guys at the spot are usually adequate, so consider that perspective when I give my list.

Eli Cox (Kentucky) is pretty good, though he turns 24 in October. Jake Majors (Texas) is a C-only guy with has 41 starts under his belt. Jake Slaughter (Florida), Jonah Monheim (USC), Gus Hartwig (Purdue), and FCS transfer Torricelli Simpkins III (South Carolina) are some other guys I like for the 2025 draft.

I like Hartwig.

[Moriarty]

The Bears have options. They could sign Williams, and be fine with him sitting until November, or somethinng.

And maybe they will...

They could.
Caleb is a bit of a stumbling block, though.

Having Bates/Shelton take turns throughout the preseason
Then one of those two for (hypothetically) 6 weeks, until Williams is ready
Then Williams for the next 11 games

is far from an ideal rookie experience for him.

[Heinz D.]

They could.
Caleb is a bit of a stumbling block, though.

Having Bates/Shelton take turns throughout the preseason
Then one of those two for (hypothetically) 6 weeks, until Williams is ready
Then Williams for the next 11 games

is far from an ideal rookie experience for him.

That's a good point, and one I didn't really consider. For some reason. Oh yeah, I forgot--

If they want Williams they could work something out, I guess? He'd be able to practice long before he could play in a real game...so they could ease him in. It'll be interesting to see what Poles does. Williams really is a quality center.

[Grizzled]

I'd be onboard with signing Connor Williams. He's still only 27 and his agent swears he's made a remarkable recovery from his ACL injury; we all know how reliable agents are ... But, seriously, I'd sign him, look at Bates and/or Kiran at RG if Davis fails for whatever reason he seems to find.

[dplank]

I'd be onboard with signing Connor Williams. He's still only 27 and his agent swears he's made a remarkable recovery from his ACL injury; we all know how reliable agents are ... But, seriously, I'd sign him, look at Bates and/or Kiran at RG if Davis fails for whatever reason he seems to find.

I've changed my thinking on this one. I didn't realize he had his surgery like 7 months ago and I have a hard time believing that he's 100% this year. The only way I'd sign him would be with a view of the next several years, so lock him up at a nice discount and let him heal this year and have our C set for the next few years beyond - but that's a luxury buy that I'm not sure we need to be thinking about right now.

[Heinz D.]

I've changed my thinking on this one. I didn't realize he had his surgery like 7 months ago and I have a hard time believing that he's 100% this year. The only way I'd sign him would be with a view of the next several years, so lock him up at a nice discount and let him heal this year and have our C set for the next few years beyond - but that's a luxury buy that I'm not sure we need to be thinking about right now.

Huh. I'm legit surprised you'd say that!

We have the cash...the only way I wouldn't do it is if I'm extending Allen right away. And maybe Poles is thinking of doing just that, we don't know. It'd be perfect if he could do both (and maybe he can, I'm not totally sure what the cap numbers would be like right now).

As we always say--you can't have a total stud at every position. But...if there's any way to get Williams and have him sit for a while, I'm all for it!

[Grizzled]

I think they're going to roll with the 2 guys already on the roster.

[Moriarty]

Foster transferred to Kansas last month. (Aside: I think highly of Mike Elko, so his decision to move on from Foster absolutely gives me some pause.)

Did a quick skim and this was interesting.

I'm not sure if he's still trying to do both, or has committed to football.

[Moriarty]

Buckeyes’ C done for year … Ohio State will be without C Seth McLaughlin when the Buckeyes host #5 Indiana on Saturday for what could be a showdown for a spot in the Big Ten conference championship game next month. McLaughlin, a mid-to-late round prospect for the 2025 draft wo transferred up from Alabama this year, tore an Achilles tendon in practice yesterday and will in fact be out for the rest of the year as well as well into the pre-draft testing process. The 6-3, 305-pound McLaughlin is currently the 5th rated C prospect on the GBN positional ranking.

I wasn't really interested anyway, but...

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Let’s see what Stromberg can do

[thunderspirit]

Buckeyes’ C done for year … Ohio State will be without C Seth McLaughlin when the Buckeyes host #5 Indiana on Saturday for what could be a showdown for a spot in the Big Ten conference championship game next month. McLaughlin, a mid-to-late round prospect for the 2025 draft wo transferred up from Alabama this year, tore an Achilles tendon in practice yesterday and will in fact be out for the rest of the year as well as well into the pre-draft testing process. The 6-3, 305-pound McLaughlin is currently the 5th rated C prospect on the GBN positional ranking.

I wasn't really interested anyway, but...

Tough break for McLaughlin. Like you, I wasn't particularly high on him, but it sucks anyway.

[wab]

I'm honestly fine keeping Shelton for another year or two and seeing if Stromberg can be a viable option. Obviously they need to draft a guy too...but maybe that's something they do in the later rounds. A developmental type that can play both center and guard.

[Moriarty]

I'm honestly fine keeping Shelton for another year or two and seeing if Stromberg can be a viable option. Obviously they need to draft a guy too...but maybe that's something they do in the later rounds. A developmental type that can play both center and guard.

If his knee checks out, I'm fine with considering Stromberg to be your '2025 draft pick' at C.
I see 0 plug and play starters in the draft.
So you pretty much need to keep Shelton around.
Then you've got Kramer (young, R6) and Stromberg (young, R3).
I've only got 2-3 Day 3 developers that interest me, and what are you going to do, keep 4 Cs?

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but leave C, T alone and fix G is my current plan.

[thunderspirit]

I'm honestly fine keeping Shelton for another year or two and seeing if Stromberg can be a viable option. Obviously they need to draft a guy too...but maybe that's something they do in the later rounds. A developmental type that can play both center and guard.

If his knee checks out, I'm fine with considering Stromberg to be your '2025 draft pick' at C.
I see 0 plug and play starters in the draft.
So you pretty much need to keep Shelton around.
Then you've got Kramer (young, R6) and Stromberg (young, R3).
I've only got 2-3 Day 3 developers that interest me, and what are you going to do, keep 4 Cs?

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but leave C, T alone and fix G is my current plan.

I'm not as bleak on the 2025 C prospects as you are, but the guys I like definitely have warts and are likely Day 3 picks in any case (Jake Majors, Bryce Foster, Jonah Monheim, Jake Slaughter, maybe Jacob Bayer).

[dplank]

Meanwhile, popular draft target last year Frazier is playing really well for Pittsburgh. Sigh.

[alexwilkins]

If his knee checks out, I'm fine with considering Stromberg to be your '2025 draft pick' at C.
I see 0 plug and play starters in the draft.
So you pretty much need to keep Shelton around.
Then you've got Kramer (young, R6) and Stromberg (young, R3).
I've only got 2-3 Day 3 developers that interest me, and what are you going to do, keep 4 Cs?

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but leave C, T alone and fix G is my current plan.

I'm not as bleak on the 2025 C prospects as you are, but the guys I like definitely have warts and are likely Day 3 picks in any case (Jake Majors, Bryce Foster, Jonah Monheim, Jake Slaughter, maybe Jacob Bayer).

I can’t believe Jake Majors isn’t rated higher. 4 year starter on some of the best team in college football over the last few years. Wouldn’t mind Shelton on another 1-year deal, but I sincerely hope we draft Majors.

[thunderspirit]

I'm not as bleak on the 2025 C prospects as you are, but the guys I like definitely have warts and are likely Day 3 picks in any case (Jake Majors, Bryce Foster, Jonah Monheim, Jake Slaughter, maybe Jacob Bayer).

I can’t believe Jake Majors isn’t rated higher. 4 year starter on some of the best team in college football over the last few years. Wouldn’t mind Shelton on another 1-year deal, but I sincerely hope we draft Majors.

I'm suspecting he's a marginal NFL athlete.

However, I'm willing to take my chances with a 51-and-counting game starter in the Big 12 and SEC who's been a three-time Big 12 All-Academic first-teamer.

[Moriarty]

As of today, PFF's highest rated C prospect in the draft is at 146 (R5)

[wab]

As of today, PFF's highest rated C prospect in the draft is at 146 (R5)

Kind of why I expect Shelton to be back.

[dplank]

As of today, PFF's highest rated C prospect in the draft is at 146 (R5)

Kind of why I expect Shelton to be back.

So I'll just toss out before I make this comment that I know I've been bagging on Poles non-stop, and I'm about to do so again and that's probably annoying. But, I feel compelled to point out that GMs in all sports have yearly roster views for themselves, upcoming FA's from other teams, and as best as possible outlook for the upcoming draft (at least one year in advance, generally knowing strenghts and weaknesses). So Poles knew, or certainly should have known, that there would be slim pickings in FA this year and a draft largely devoid of C talent. He also moved on from Patrick and Whitehair, so 100% knew he needed to address the position last year as we didn't have one on the roster. And so I view this as another subtle failure by Poles, going after a 1 year low cost C like Shelton knowing full well that there would be very little available the following year - and passing on doing a multi year deal on a few of the FA C's that were higher quality, or working the draft in such a way that he got Frazier or another talent in house to develop.