Bucs Draft 2024 Preview + Bucs Best Bets: Cs

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft with its position previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official energy drink of Pewter Report. Adam Slivon continues the previews with the center position, giving a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at center.

Slivon also provides a detailed list of this year’s top centers while Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds offers up the Bucs draft needs and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Best Bets – the most likely center for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Center

The Bucs have a reliable starter in Robert Hainsey, who has started every game the past two seasons replacing Ryan Jensen after he suffered a career-ending injury in training camp in 2022. Hainsey is entering a contract year and has shown since taking a starting role that he can hold down the spot, but he is an average center with a lack of size that has capped him from being more of a factor in the run game and pass protection. Last season he allowed 33 pressures, 26 hurries and gave up five sacks while being a reason why there were not enough consistent holes for Rachaad White up the middle of the field.

Is there another center option on the roster? A lot of that depends on how the Bucs go about adding to the position. They have already added some depth by signing Ben Bredeson in free agency, who logged five starts at the pivot for the Giants last season.

The team also could view Cody Mauch as a long-term starting center, but at the moment he is penciled in at right guard, where he played throughout his rookie year. Allowing Mauch to grow comfortable at one spot may suit him best, but if the Bucs’ running game wants to take a step forward under Liam Coen next year, it should look at adding another option in the 2024 NFL Draft.

What The Bucs Need At Center

What Tampa Bay needs as the center spot is a tone-setter, much like what Ryan Jensen was for the offensive line from 2018-2021. Jensen was an underrated addition that helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2020, serving as a physical and intimidating anchor up front that the rest of the group emulated.

Now that he is retired, the team needs a long-term answer at the position. Robert Hainsey helped hold the position down, but he could be entering his final year with the team and would profile best as a high-end backup who could mentor a young player.

Adding a center who could serve as a mauler in the run game and hold the pocket in the passing game would be ideal for an offense that will be relying on quarterback Baker Mayfield to replicate his success in 2024, as NFL Films’ Greg Cosell recently outlined. Protecting Mayfield should be a priority when considering the team’s needs, as keeping him upright is paramount for the team’s overall success.

As it stands, the center position is a relatively big need, one that could be addressed as high as the team’s first-round pick at No. 26. If not on Day 1, expect the Bucs to add some more depth to the room on either Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.

Top Centers In The 2024 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson – Junior – 6-3, 328 – N/A

Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

Powers-Johnson is the top center prospect in this year’s class, receiving a rare consensus first-round grade for the position. That is for good reason, as he not only looks the part of being the biggest center listed here, but he plays with a mean streak that has elicited comparisons to former Bucs center Ryan Jensen.

He is his own player though, and some strengths of his playstyle are being able to wall off defenders with a powerful frame while still showing enough quickness to get out in front and create space for the running backs behind him. Powers-Johnson also holds up quite well in pass protection, allowing just one pressure and zero sacks last season.

There are small concerns as Powers-Johnson enters the league, such as the fact that he only spent one year as a starter for the Ducks and he drew eight flags in the team’s 13 games. He will only improve as he gains more experience, and his overall game suggests that he will be a plus starter in the league for a long time if he can stay healthy.

2. West Virginia C Zach Frazier – Senior – 6-2, 315 – 5.24

Frazier enters the league with plenty of games under his belt, starting 37 consecutive games at center before suffering a broken leg in the Mountaineers’ regular-season finale. That prevented him from being able to do much at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he participated fully in his pro day as he looks to now put the injury behind him.

On tape, Frazier does not showcase the most elite athletic traits, but he is often able to win his matchup in part to solid hand placement and upper body strength that keeps defensive linemen at bay. This also gives Frazier, who has a wrestling background, leverage as he takes his movements to the next level, giving him the proper positioning to stay engaged in blocks. Staying attached to blocks is something he will need to do with more consistency in the NFL, as he does not have the quickness to recover in the trenches when he gives up his edge.

3. Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger – Redshirt Junior – 6-4, 298 – 5.20

Playing for the Bulldogs for the past four seasons allowed Van Pran-Granger an opportunity to develop in a top-tier program that won back-to-back national championships. Known for being a leader, he was a two-year captain in college and paired his leadership with a great awareness of the game.

This carries over onto the field as he is smart with his movements and recognizes when to pull, pick up assignments, execute combo blocks, and be consistent from snap to whistle. Playing in a system that emphasized the run game allowed him to shine and he was a menace in that regard. These strengths help him overcome shorter arms and a questionable base that could challenge him when it comes to pass protection.

4. Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini – Redshirt Junior – 6-4, 303 – 4.94

Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini – Photo by: USA Today

Bortolini has boosted his stock throughout the draft process with a stellar NFL Scouting Combine performance that saw him light up stopwatches for someone weighing slightly over 300 pounds. It is easy to see this athleticism watching him play, as he pairs his plus lateral quickness and burst with the ability to play anywhere on the offensive line.

Bortolini did just that for the Badgers, although he started all 12 games he played in last season at center. He is comfortable at the position and possesses a high football I.Q. that allows him to diagnose and pick up on a defense’s plans. While his movements create mismatches up front for him to capitalize on, there are also moments where it can hurt his ability to recover and give bigger defensive linemen the chance to counter and disengage.

5. Arkansas C Beaux Limmer – Redshirt Senior – 6-4, 302 – 5.22

Unlike most center prospects in this year’s class, Limmer has spent more time at another position while in college, starting 28 games at right guard as opposed to 12 at center. His decision to stay in school for another season allowed him to explore the position, and he more than held his own up the middle. He has great range and tenacity when moving and his strength is — something else.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Limmer led all participants with 39 bench press reps and his powerful hands allowed him to create space at his pace along the Razorbacks’ offensive line. While he has a powerful upper body, one concern is playing a little too top-heavy. His core and base strength will need some further refining to hold better and more consistent positioning.

6. Penn State C Hunter Nourzad – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-3, 317 – N/A

Nourzad took a circuitous journey on his path to becoming an NFL player. He spent four seasons at Cornell before transferring to Penn State where he split time at both guard positions in 2022 before settling in at center in 2023. What he showcased while with the Nittany Lions is that he is someone with impressive zone-blocking skills and can keep balance through contact to hold his own against pass rushers.

Smooth movement is one calling card to his game, but he does have some shortcomings. Besides turning 25 years old in November, Nourzad will need to improve his hand placement to better accurately line up his targets.

7. Florida C Kingsley Eguakun – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 304 – N/A

Florida C Kingsley Eguakun – Photo by: USA Today

Eguakun did not get the chance to put a ton of film together last season, appearing in just four games while playing through a right ankle injury that eventually kept him sidelined. He was able to participate during Senior Bowl week, flashing some of the abilities that make him an intriguing prospect.

Eguakun’s suddenness off the snap gives him the chance to position himself well, and he utilizes his hands to stay engaged and generate the power to drive his matchup to the ground. If he does not win with his hands, he does struggle to hold the line against more powerful rushers.

8. Miami C Matt Lee – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 301 – 5.03

Lee profiles as one of the more athletic center prospects among this group. He has shown during the draft process that he is a quick mover and he offers solid play strength. He stays centered with a strong base, especially when it comes to the passing game.

The biggest knock on him is that he lacks the size and true raw power of a typical tone-setter up the middle, but Lee has enough ability and traits to compete for a starting role. He played in the 280s with the Hurricanes and showed up at the East-West Shrine Bowl at 288 before topping 300 pounds for the Combine.

9. North Carolina State C Dylan McMahon – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 299 – 5.10

For someone at 300 pounds, McMahon’s pure athleticism put him at No. 63 on Bruce Feldman’s 2022 Freaks List, just behind Rakim Jarrett and Brian Branch. This was for good reason as McMahon ran a 5.1 40 and posted a 33-inch vertical.

This allows him to move with ease in the trenches, setting himself up nicely to maintain control and advance to the second level. He can lock in on his targets, but he lacks the pure power to be a furniture mover. He can get overpowered, especially when faced with having to block at different angles. McMahon will fit best in a zone-run scheme that allows him to play to his strengths and mask his physical deficiencies.

10. Duke C Jacob Monk – Fifth-Year Senior – 6-3, 308 – 5.09

Most of the attention along the Blue Devils offensive line has gone to Graham Barton, who himself could be a center in the NFL, but this has largely kept Monk under the radar. Monk has been a five-year starter in college, amassing 58 total starts.

While his experience and leadership are two things that stand out along with having plus movement, his lack of size and strength cap his ceiling to one of a backup offensive lineman who can fill in at center or guard.

Best Of The Rest

11. Michigan C Drake Nugent – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 298 – 5.23

Michigan C Drake Nugent – Photo by: USA Today

Nugent was in charge of directing a potent Wolverines offense that went on to win the national championship last season. He did his part in protecting J.J. McCarthy and opening things up for Blake Corum. In particular, he excels as a run blocker who is no slouch when it comes to pass protection.

Nugent possesses the intangibles and technique to make an impact, but with questions surrounding how he will hold up against lankier and stronger defensive linemen, he likely will serve as a quality depth piece to begin his career.

12. Oklahoma C Andrew Raym – Senior – 6-4, 314 – 5.42

Raym joined the Sooners program after being the No. 1 recruit in Oklahoma back in 2020. After arriving, he made his mark as a tough player on the gridiron who is always looking for the next guy to block. Raym’s awareness out in space allows him to use his strength to drive back opposing players, but his lack of pure athleticism and range will limit his chances of being much more than a backup.

13. Michigan State C Nick Samac – Fifth-Year Senior – 6-4, 307 – N/A

Joining the Spartans as a four-star recruit, Samac served as the team’s full-time starter for the past two seasons. He suffered a left fibula fracture late in the season which affected his ability to test in the pre-draft process. From his film, what stands out most is his impact in the run game, showing enough athleticism to pull and get to the second level. He only allowed one sack last season, but keeping the pocket secure will be a big focus for him as he looks to find a home.

14. LSU C Charles Turner III – Redshirt Senior – 6-3, 300 – 5.59

Turner served as a key blocker for Jayden Daniels last season. He possesses great length and wingspan which allow him to set up quickly and use his upper body strength. What holds him back is that he is not the most fleet of foot and he was heavily penalized last year.

15. North Dakota State C Jalen Sundell – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-5, 301 – 5.18

A three-year starter at center, Sundell moved over to left tackle after Cody Mauch was drafted by the Bucs last season. Like his predecessor, he does well using his athleticism to “search and destroy” out in space. While doing it in college is one thing, he will need to show that he can hold up against stronger players and competition long-term.

Bucs’ Best Bets: Center

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 1-3: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

The Bucs would love to see Powers-Johnson fall to them at No. 26 in the first round, but if Tampa Bay truly wants to target the Oregon center general manager Jason Licht may have to trade up to get him. Powers-Johnson is a huge fan of former Bucs center Ryan Jensen and mimics his bully playing style by playing to and through the whistle and imposing his will on his opponents. Although his frame is not as large as Jensen’s was, Powers-Johnson is a big, powerful center and he would be an instant upgrade over Robert Hainsey.

The Bucs met formally with Jackson Powers-Johnson at the NFL Scouting Combine and also had him in for a Top 30 visit. Powers-Johnson could bring more of a smash-mouth approach to the interior of Tampa Bay’s offensive line, and that’s something that has been missing for the past two seasons due to Jensen’s career-ending injury.

Bucs Best Bet – Rounds 4-7: Wisconsin C Tanor Bortolini

If Tampa Bay misses out on one of the top centers in the draft there is still hope in the middle rounds to grab a good one because this year’s draft class is relatively deep at the position. Bortolini is one of the most athletic centers in this year’s draft and also brings tremendous position flexibility. There is a chance that Bortolini could be drafted in the third round due to his athleticism and versatility, but the fact that he’s barely 300 pounds may cause him to slide to Day 3 where he would be an early fourth-round pick.

Bortolini seems like an ideal fit for Tampa Bay’s zone blocking scheme due to his movement ability and the run-first mentality at Wisconsin. He’s tough at the point of attack although he could use a bit more size at the next level and must continue to hit the weight room. Bortolini spent three years blocking for Braelon Allen and could improve the Bucs’ ground game. The Bucs had an informal meeting with him at the NFL Scouting Combine and also showed significant interest in him at the Wisconsin pro day.