Drafting a Center

Chiefnj2 · 12-14-2010, 10:01 AM

I think everyone would be in agreement that a Center is near the top of KC's draft needs. Although not a glamorous early pick, based on recent draft years it looks like you have to take a center early (1st or 2nd round) if you want a starting center. In my notes 'no impact' means not a starting CENTER. I looked at the first 4 or 5 centers drafted from 2010-2006 drafts (last 5 years):

1st rounders playing well and making an impact - Pouncey, Mack and Mangold.
1st round centers no impact at the position - Wood (moved to guard on draft day, injuries).
- 75% success rate.

2nd round centers playing well and making an impact - Kalil and Satele
2nd round picks no impact at the position - Unger (G, IR), Pollak (G, inj), Cook (G), Chester (G).
- twice as many 2nd round collegiate centers were moved to guard and have limited impact except for Chester.

3rd round starting at Center - JD Walton (Denver)
3rd round no impact - Caldwell (backup), Spitz (backup).

4th round playing well - none
4th round no impact - Lugis (not in NFL), Wallace (backup), Lichtenstein (G), Harris (G).

5th and 6th round impact - Sullivan
5th and 6th no impact - Tennant (although too early to tell), Ingram (out of nfl), Fry (cut).

12-14-2010, 10:01 AM	Topic Starter
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7813688	Drafting a Center I think everyone would be in agreement that a Center is near the top of KC's draft needs. Although not a glamorous early pick, based on recent draft years it looks like you have to take a center early (1st or 2nd round) if you want a starting center. In my notes 'no impact' means not a starting CENTER. I looked at the first 4 or 5 centers drafted from 2010-2006 drafts (last 5 years): 1st rounders playing well and making an impact - Pouncey, Mack and Mangold. 1st round centers no impact at the position - Wood (moved to guard on draft day, injuries). - 75% success rate. 2nd round centers playing well and making an impact - Kalil and Satele 2nd round picks no impact at the position - Unger (G, IR), Pollak (G, inj), Cook (G), Chester (G). - twice as many 2nd round collegiate centers were moved to guard and have limited impact except for Chester. 3rd round starting at Center - JD Walton (Denver) 3rd round no impact - Caldwell (backup), Spitz (backup). 4th round playing well - none 4th round no impact - Lugis (not in NFL), Wallace (backup), Lichtenstein (G), Harris (G). 5th and 6th round impact - Sullivan 5th and 6th no impact - Tennant (although too early to tell), Ingram (out of nfl), Fry (cut).
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