NFL Draft 2013 Rankings: Centers

Oct 20, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Travis Frederick (72) during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 38-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin’s Travis Frederick gets the nod from be as this year’s top center, barely beating out Alabama’s Barrett Jones. Neither is a 1st round pick, and both will be placed in the low 2nd round on my board.

After that there’s a big gap before Cal’s Brian Schwenke, and then another huge gap. This clearly isn’t a good year to need a center in the NFL.

I can’t imagine that the Seahawks will take a center, even at the very end of the draft. The just gave Max Unger a big contract and he’ll be the starter for the next few years. Backup Lemuel Jeanpierre is a RFA and will be back next season. Guard John Moffitt has spent significant time at center in practice the past 2 seasons, and is viewed as a potential starter at the position if Unger were to suffer a long term injury.

RankPlayerPosP RankSchoolHeightWeight*Travis FrederickC1Wisconsin6/4312Barrett JonesC2Alabama6/4306Brian SchwenkeC3California6/3314Khaled HolmesC4Southern Cal6/3302P.J. LonerganC5LSU6/3304Braxston CaveC6Notre Dame6/3303Mario BenavidesC7Louisville6/3279Matt StankiewitchC8Penn State6/3302Joe MadsenC9West Virginia6/3310T.J. JohnsonC10South Carolina6/4310Graham PocicC11Illinois6/5310