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Center Draft Prospect

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Well, I've been quite busy this year and only get around to read about the prospects at Center, which most of us think the Texans need one.

I know there have been a few throwing around on the board so I think why not have a thread specifically for it.

It seems to me that John Michael Smith of Minnesota has been picking up steam (as opposed to when the college football season first start).

I've watched some 6-7 of his games now, but I like to get the opinions of you guys.

They play the ZBS so Smith is a good fit.

But as I haven't watched hardly any of the other prospects, I'd like to get some thoughts from you guys.
 
I'm wanting the Texans to take one of the two top rated Centers, Schmitz or Wypler. Schmitz can be expected to go from the bottom of the 1st to the top of the 2nd. Wypler the bottom half of the 2nd.

Between the two, Wypler is my pick. I just looked at the combine results and Wypler bests Schmitz but not by much :

...............10yd....3 cone....shuttle....bench
Schmitz....1.85...... ? ........4.56..........26
Wypler.......1.83....7.64.......4.53.........29

Schmitz is rated higher in run blocking with a draftbuzz rating of 94% vs 91% for Wypler.

Wypler is rated higher in pass blocking with a rating of 92% vs 84% for Schmitz

Avila rates as the third best OC but, imo, is less suited for the WCO zone blocking.
 
Bryce Young or CJ Stroud, Wypler is also my pick, especially if Texans wind up with Stroud. Smaller in stature size (good for Young) athletic, good feet, experienced and ready to go day one. Scoop him up with one of those 3rd rounders.
There are several teams wanting Centers and Wypler is the second ranked one in this draft. I doubt he is there for pick #65. if you're NC and you want him, you have to find out what teams are looking for one and trade up above them.
Schmidt is the best C in this draft and might be a target for us as well, but to make sure you get him, you will need to take him at #33 if he is there.
Steve Avila is the 3rd ranked C in the draft - he may be there at #65.
 
There are several teams wanting Centers and Wypler is the second ranked one in this draft. I doubt he is there for pick #65. if you're NC and you want him, you have to find out what teams are looking for one and trade up above them.
Schmidt is the best C in this draft and might be a target for us as well, but to make sure you get him, you will need to take him at #33 if he is there.
Steve Avila is the 3rd ranked C in the draft - he may be there at #65.

Avila, Mauch, Tippmann all graded higher than Wypler. Unless there is a serious run on Center position, Wypler (better scheme fit for Texans) should still be on the board. There are many players and position groups I would prefer Texans to address than a 2nd day Center #33.
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:koolaid:
Note: Kraft is intriguing TE prospect, who should go just after LaPorta. Their grade C- does not reflect boards now, he is ascending.
 
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Avila, Mauch, Tippmann all graded higher than Wypler. Unless there is a serious run on Center position, Wypler (better scheme fit for Texans) should still be on the board. There are many players and position groups I would prefer Texans to address than a 2nd day Center #33.
View attachment 11800
:koolaid:
Note: Kraft is intriguing TE prospect, who should go just after LaPorta. Their grade C- does not reflect boards now, he is ascending.
Smith is constantly rated higher and his team played in a ZBS; why would Wypler be a better fit?

What is it that makes some of you guys preferring Wypler over Smith besides the little difference at the combine?
 
Smith is constantly rated higher and his team played in a ZBS; why would Wypler be a better fit?

What is it that makes some of you guys preferring Wypler over Smith besides the little difference at the combine?
I have the two about the same, but maybe give the edge to Wypler because he may be slightly better in pass pro. I'll leave it to the coaches but I'm good with either.

The strongest reason, and ideally, I'd like both available at 33. This opens up a possible trade down, maybe get an additional 3rd, and still be able to draft one of the two, more likely Wypler because Schmitz will likely be first off the board.
 
Smith is constantly rated higher and his team played in a ZBS; why would Wypler be a better fit?

What is it that makes some of you guys preferring Wypler over Smith besides the little difference at the combine?
Cost. Smith will be first Center off the board.
 
Avila, Mauch, Tippmann all graded higher than Wypler. Unless there is a serious run on Center position, Wypler (better scheme fit for Texans) should still be on the board. There are many players and position groups I would prefer Texans to address than a 2nd day Center #33.
View attachment 11800
:koolaid:
Note: Kraft is intriguing TE prospect, who should go just after LaPorta. Their grade C- does not reflect boards now, he is ascending.
So, what part of Ohio are you from?
 
I have the two about the same, but maybe give the edge to Wypler because he may be slightly better in pass pro. I'll leave it to the coaches but I'm good with either.

The strongest reason, and ideally, I'd like both available at 33. This opens up a possible trade down, maybe get an additional 3rd, and still be able to draft one of the two, more likely Wypler because Schmitz will likely be first off the board.
Cost. Smith will be first Center off the board.
OK.
Thanks for the feedbacks, guys.
 
Smith is constantly rated higher and his team played in a ZBS; why would Wypler be a better fit?

What is it that makes some of you guys preferring Wypler over Smith besides the little difference at the combine?
Wypler is equally good at pass and run pro - described as elite. Anchored the best line in college football.
More than a few national scouts think he will be the first Center off the board.
 
I went back to the Offensive Line part of the Combine tape this afternoon and rewatched - 3rd time in fact. The funny thing is how well and how similar they all look and perform in shorts. This particular group even tests similarly .... but they've all been doing the same drills for the last couple of months. For a WCO, I really believe that Wypler is the best fit. JMHO
 
If they really love one go get him at 33 imo.
There's going to be lots of players the Texans love in this Draft but it's still most important to manage wisely and prudently with how we use out Draft picks which includes position value: we need a #1 receiver and help in the Dline, both edge prospects and tackles.
And by all means lets not foolishly use another first round pick on an interior Olinman (guard or center). Our first third round pick
is practically a late second rounder it's so high in the round, so that would seem to be a good place to consider the center prospects still on our Board.
 
I went back to the Offensive Line part of the Combine tape this afternoon and rewatched - 3rd time in fact. The funny thing is how well and how similar they all look and perform in shorts. This particular group even tests similarly .... but they've all been doing the same drills for the last couple of months. For a WCO, I really believe that Wypler is the best fit. JMHO

Folks can't remove C- Ricky Stromberg (Arkansas) from the WCO C equation. This guy is big, athletic, moves to the second level, looks to play through the whistle, and has called the OL setups.
 
I personally like several of the C available. I know that the Texans have met with Wypler at the combine and haven’t seen any other meetings.

I like JMS, Wypler, Tippmann, and Oluwatimi. Juice Scruggs is a late rounder that I’d take a flier on, but I’d prefer one of the top guys.
 
I personally like several of the C available. I know that the Texans have met with Wypler at the combine and haven’t seen any other meetings.

I like JMS, Wypler, Tippmann, and Oluwatimi. Juice Scruggs is a late rounder that I’d take a flier on, but I’d prefer one of the top guys.
Tippman is the Wisconsin kid, right? I like him alot. I like Avila because he can play center and guard. I know ideally in the wco you want a lighter, quicker guy, but Reid,Holmgren and even lil shanny has played with bigger athletic guys across the ol.
 
JMS is going to be a good center, but I think Wypler might be a better system fit. If you can't get either one, Tippman, Patterson, or Stromberg would work in later rounds. Patterson doesn't get much hype, but I liked the way he moved at the combine.
 
Avila, Mauch, Tippmann all graded higher than Wypler. Unless there is a serious run on Center position, Wypler (better scheme fit for Texans) should still be on the board. There are many players and position groups I would prefer Texans to address than a 2nd day Center #33.
View attachment 11800
:koolaid:
Note: Kraft is intriguing TE prospect, who should go just after LaPorta. Their grade C- does not reflect boards now, he is ascending.
I don't think Jones will be able to play LT, but I have a feeling he'll be able to lock down the RT spot very well. I think it was at the Senior Bowl where he went one on one with Foskey (who was whipping people) and just shut him down. He's so big and strong it's going to be difficult for lineman to get through or around him.
 
I don't think Jones will be able to play LT, but I have a feeling he'll be able to lock down the RT spot very well. I think it was at the Senior Bowl where he went one on one with Foskey (who was whipping people) and just shut him down. He's so big and strong it's going to be difficult for lineman to get through or around him.
He’s a plus tackle, per Stroud. Who looks like Texans will wind up with unless Panthers hook Caserio (seemingly even more on hot seat after botching Cooks trade) into trading away more draft capital :hankpalm:
 
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