2024 NFL Draft Bible: Centers

For exclusive live coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit be sure to follow @NFLDraftBible

The 2024 NFL Draft Bible features over 700 prospects ranked and 125+ player profiles. Presented By Sports Management Worldwide — Now Offering PFF Ultimate Online Class

RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION

1. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 6-3, 326, 5.06, Rd1

The ferocious, wide-bodied Powers-Johnson is difficult to get around. He possesses oxlike strength, along with great hand placement and exceptional footwork for owning such a massive frame. While his game is tailor-made for the big stage, JPJ likes to shy away from the spotlight, as he has struggled with anxiety in the past. He discussed this topic at length at his pro day.

“Coming into this year, I had a lot of struggles with the pressure of it,” Powers-Johnson said after the workout. “Slated for all these preseason awards, slated to be the guy at center and I hadn’t even played a full year. So I had a little bit of imposter syndrome like, ‘Alright everybody, let’s just chill out. Just let me get in there.’ I just figured out how to navigate that through mental health and also just believing in myself and in the people around me.”  

2. Graham Barton, Duke, 6-5, 311, 4.84, Rd1

After starting the past three years at left tackle for the Blue Devils, Barton has embraced his role back on the interior, as he began his collegiate career at center. Due to his size, quickness and athleticism, Barton is viewed as a likely top-20 selection and the consensus top center on most big boards. The two-time All-American also pays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. 

“Someone the past three years I’ve watched is David Bakhtiari,” Barton told reporters. “I’ve taken a lot of influence from the way he wins his blocks. He’s athletic, you see him get off the ball very quickly. He’s someone I’ve just tried to take some influence from, a lot of respect for his game and his style of play.”  

3. Zach Frazier, West Virginia, 6-3, 315, 5.26, Rd2

Prior to a late-season fractured fibula, Frazier appeared to be ascending towards a first-round draft grade. A notorious state champion wrestler who went 159-2 in high school, the gritty Frazier is known to be a fierce grappler and is one of the most underrated players in the draft. Frazier discussed whether the injury has had an impact on his draft stock at the combine.

“I don’t think so. Just from the injury standpoint, I was lucky that I just broke the bone. I didn’t do any ligament damage. If I did do ligament damage, maybe that would hurt it. The doctors just told me that bones heal and I’ll be all right.”