Centers the Commanders Should Consider in the 2026 Draft Class

That leaves the Commanders heading into the draft with veteran backup Nick Allegretti pencilled in as the starting center. Dan Quinn has affirmed the team’s trust in the seven year vet, who has mainly played backup guard, and occasional emergency replacement center. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Commanders look to the draft and post-draft free agency to find more competition and potential upgrades at the position.

The 2026 draft class has been described as deep at the position. The consensus draft board lists 22 interior offensive linemen who have entered the draft as centers. And there are a few additional players seeking to switch from other positions. However, there are currently no experienced center prospects with consensus top-50 projections. Like most years, there are several prospects who could earn starting jobs this season, and one or two probably will. But fans might want to temper expectations of the team drafting a Day 1 starter to send Allegretti back to the bench in training camp.

Some common themes in draft profiles of many of the top ranked prospects were short arms and average play strength.  However, as Hogs Haven’s LA Skin noted in a recent draft profile for one of the prospects, I have to wonder if the media analysts who write these profiles are fully across the size of centers in today’s NFL, and particularly those who play in zone-heavy schemes. Every prospect under 310 lbs and/or 33” arm length seems to get labelled “undersized”, which is setting the expectation on the high side. And the expectations for play strength seem to be set on centers in gap-blocking schemes or guards.

For this round-up I used advanced blocking metrics, along with athletic testing results and draft profiles from around the internet to identify center prospects who suit a zone-heavy blocking scheme, with potential to earn a starting role at some point in their NFL journey.  I was also guided by the Commanders’ prospect visit schedule.

More so than for any of the previous position roundups, I found there was frequently disagreement between the different sources of information on individual prospects.  I did my best to synthesize and reconcile what different channels were telling me, and have indicated where I was left with lingering uncertainty.

Advanced Performance Metrics

“Advanced Metrics” sounds fancy, but it really just means metrics that are derived from film breakdown, as opposed to standard stats reported by the NFL, which are mainly derived from where the refs spot the ball on the field.  This roundup relied heavily on two performance metrics sourced from Pro Football Focus.

Pass Protection – Pressure Rate

Pressure Rate is the percentage of Pressure Opportunities on which the blocker allowed a pressure (Sack, QB hit, QB hurry).  Pressure Opportunities are non-spike passing snaps on plays that were not negated by penalties.

As an alternative to purely subjective analysis of technique to attempt to identify the best pass blockers, Pressure Rate focuses on the results of the blocking process.  It still has a significant subjective component, because it relies on human observers to score pressures.  But variability and bias are mitigated through PFF’s quality assurance process, which you don’t usually get with film breakdowns from individual analysts.

The following table shows the Pressure Rate benchmarks for NCAA centers. Center prospects in this roundup were ranked against two different cohorts: the 22 center prospects listed on the consensus board, and 166 FBS centers who played a minimum of 200 blocking snaps in 2025. Not surprisingly, blocking metrics for consensus-ranked draft prospects were higher as a group than those for all FBS centers.

Run Blocking – PFF Run Blocking Grades

I have yet to find a truly satisfying analytical metric for run blocking by NCAA players.  In the absence of a better alternative, I used PFF Run Blocking Grades.  My past attempts to cross-validate PFF blocking grades for NFL players against different metrics, such as SIS Blown Blocks, have shown very strong correlation between different metrics from different sources, which provides some level of reassurance.  And PFF grades do have the advantages of being derived through a quality assured process for all NCAA players, in every game, to provide a large sample for analytical comparisons with the players we are interested in.

Run Blocking Grade benchmarks for the center class are provided in the following table:

Trench Explosion Formula (TEF)

Lastly, thanks to a tip from LA Skin, I also used TEF values as a secondary athleticism metric, after RAS and individual athletic testing numbers.  The TEF is a metric developed by the Seahawks Draft Blog to measure explosiveness of OL prospects, which you can read about here. It combines vertical jump, broad jump and bench press measures into a single metric, which is intended to identify OL prospects with the desired explosiveness for the NFL.  Values over 3.0 indicate an explosive player, and values around 2.5 in the current sample seem to indicate more plodding types.  As an aside, it is a mystery to me why bench press reps are included, since that is more of a measure of endurance than explosiveness.

Fits at Center for the Commanders

Prospects are listed in order of consensus ranks, not order of preference. When available, Hogs Haven draft profiles are linked to the player’s name.

iOL Keylan Rutledge, Senior, Georgia Tech

6-4 | 316 lbs | 33.25” arms | RAS 9.53 | TEF 2.98 | Age 22

2025 Stats: 13 Games | 872 Blk Snps | 1.4% Pressure Rate | 0 Sacks | 76.8 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  55

Commanders’ Meetings: None

Rutledge was featured in the Week 9 edition of Future Hogs. He is a big, nasty bully of an interior blocker.  He took 98% of his snaps at right guard in college, and not one at center.  But he worked out at center, to showcase his versatility to NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl, and has continued to do so throughout the draft process.

Rutledge has the power to move defensive tackles out of the way. He ragdolls linebackers, if he gets his hands on them.  He looks to finish defenders through the whistle, and ends a lot of reps with opponents on the ground. He is exceptionally athletic for a player his size, with the combination of power and movement skills to excel in any blocking scheme. His Pressure Rate allowed in pass protections slots in between the 5th and 6th consensus-ranked centers in the draft class. And he is a road grader in the running game.

Rutledge would be a premium option if Adam Peters acquires a second round pick in a trade. He could be an instant upgrade over whomever the Commanders were planning to start at left guard, with potential to become a transformative addition at center, once he masters the position. However, that might be a pipedream, because it would be unusual for the Commanders to draft a player on Day 2 whom they haven’t met.

Connor Lew, Junior, Auburn

6-3.5 | 310 lbs | 32.4” arms | Age 20.6

2025 Stats: 7 Games | 420 Blk Snps | 1.75% Pressure Rate | 2 Sacks | 64.9 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  66

Commanders’ Meetings: None

Connor Lew in the youngster in a center class of old me. He has the highest consensus rank in the class.  He was a three year starter for Auburn, until his junior season was cut short by an ACL tear in Week 8. Nevertheless, he declared for the draft, despite still being under 21.

The consensus of draft anlysts is that he is an athletic, and powerful blocker who is solid in protection and proficient, but unimpressive in the run game (e.g. The Ringer, NFL.com, Dane Brugler – paywall).  Most see him fitting a zone blocking scheme. But the recent Hogs Have profile by LA Skin (linked at the top), with detailed tape breakdown, raises questions about whether there is sufficient evidence from his experience in Auburn’s blocking scheme to support that conclusion.

The numbers support the consensus opinion that he is better in pass protection than run blocking, but fall well short of portraying the best center in the draft class.  His Pressure Rate allowed in pass protection ranked 9th best among 22 consensus-ranked center prospects, and fell at the 85th percentile of FBS centers. His Run Blocking Grade ranked 17th/22 consensus-ranked centers, and placed him around the 63rd percentile in the FBS.

At just 20 years old, he looks like a developmental prospect, with tools to develop, and the potential to add muscle to his frame. But the fact that he is not a better run blocker at his size is a concern.  I’ve put him behind the next two prospects on my board, and could consider dropping him even further.

Sam Hecht, Senior, Kansas State

6-4 | 303 lbs | 31.6” arms | RAS 7.76 | TEF 2.98 | Age 23

2025 Stats: 12 Games | 759 Blk Snps | 1.85% Pressure Rate | 0 Sacks | 77.7 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  84

Commanders’ Meetings: Senior Bowl

Hecht is a technically proficient, well-rounded center, with good fundamentals to go with better than average athleticism. His TEF value falls just short of the arbitrary threshold for explosive linemen. His main limitations are short arms, which put him at a disadvantage to longer defenders, and just adequate play strength.

He was able to compensate for his athletic limitations with refined blocking technique to achieve good productivity at the collegiate level. His 1.85% Pressure Rate in pass protection placed him at the 83rd percentile of FBS centers, but only ranked 10th out of 22 consensus-ranked centers, placing him right on the high side of median in the draft class.  His Run Blocking Grade was the 6th highest out of 166 FBS centers (96th percentile).

Hecht profiles as an NFL ready center to compete with Nick Allegretti for the starting job in camp.  He probably has the highest floor of true centers in the draft class.  But there might be players with more upside.

Jake Slaughter, 5th Year Senior, Florida

6-4.9 | 303 lbs | 32.4” arms | RAS 9.97 | Age 23

2025 Stats: 12 Games | 748 Blk Snps | 1.00% Pressure Rate | 1 Sack | 80.2 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  107

Commanders’ Meetings: Senior Bowl

Slaughter has good size and adequate arm length for the position, but just average play strength. He posted speed and elite explosiveness testing numbers at the combine.  Hogs Haven’s Mark Tyler identified him as a player who ticks the boxes for an Adam Peters draft pick.

Slaughter is a high IQ player with excellent awareness to identify stunts and adjust protections. He is a quick processor with speed to reach targets at the second level. His anchor in pass protection is better than you’d expect, given comments about mediocre play strength.

Slaughter has the best combination of blocking metrics in the draft class. His 1.00% Pressure Rate in pass protection placed 2nd among ranked draft prospects and was 4th best among 166 FBS centers (98th percentile). His Run Blocking grade ranked 2nd in the draft class, and among all FBS centers (99th percentile).

He could be a seriously underrated prospect. If he can get stronger, with time in an NFL training program, he has potential to be a very good starter.

Logan Jones, 5th Year Senior, Iowa

6-2.9 | 299 lbs | 30.75” arms | RAS 9.63 | TEF 3.17 (proj) | Age 24

2025 Stats: 13 Games | 766 Blk Snps | 0.93% Pressure Rate | 1 Sack | 73.0 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  100

Commanders’ Meetings: None

Jones is on the smaller side for center prospects, with elite athleticism, and tiny T-Rex arms. But no one ever said he needs to get stronger. He plays with sound fundamentals and has the skillset to suit a zone blocking scheme

Jones is a mauler, who makes up for smaller size, to some extent, with incredible strength and tenacity.

The consensus among tape watchers is that he is further along in run blocking than pass protection.  But the numbers tell a different story. Despite the size and short arms, he allowed the lowest Pressure Rate on passing downs in the center draft class. In 336 dropbacks, Jones allowed just 3 total pressures, including 1 sack.  He wasn’t bad at run blocking, either. His Run Blocking grade ranked 6th among consensus-ranked prospects and placed him at the 88th percentile of FBS centers.

At 25 this season, he is probably maxed out physically. He is not going to get any longer, and it would be hard to get any stronger.  He looks like a plug and play starter in a zone blocking front, but might always be vulnerable to large and long-limbed interior defenders.

OT/C Brian Parker II, Redshirt Junior, Duke

6-5 | 309 lbs | 32.9” arms | RAS 9.13 | Age 22

2025 Stats: 13 Games | 902 Blk Snps | (4.0% Pressure Rate at OT) | 3 Sacks | 83.9 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  116

Commanders’ Meetings: East-West Shrine

Parker is one of my favorite prospects for the Commanders in the draft class.  He played OT at Duke, but is switching to center for the NFL, due to borderline length.

He is a feisty blocker, with great technique, body control and athleticism to overcome average length and play strength. He is a skilled zone blocker with speed and technique to reach targets at the second level.

Parker’s Pressure Rate and Run Blocking grades are not comparable to the centers because he played a different position.  OTs give up twice the rate of pressure as iOL. He graded well for an OT.

Parker will take time to learn the position, but has upside to become a better than average starting center, with versatility to play other OL positions as well.

OT/C Trey Zuhn III, 5th Year Senior, Texas A&M

6-6.5 | 312 lbs | 32.5” arms | RAS 9.96 | TEF 3.34 (Rk2) | Age 23.5

2025 Stats: 13 Games | 776 Blk Snps | (2.4% Pressure Rate at OT) | 1 Sack | 81.9 Run Blk Grade (Rk 1)

Consensus Rank:  126

Commanders’ Meetings: Senior Bowl

Zuhn started four seasons at left tackle, and took 126 snaps at center in 2025, which some analysts say was his best tape.  He is a tough evaluation because he’s switching position from OT to center for the NFL, and because analyst opinions are varied.

He is very large for a center, but has short arms in proportion to his frame. He tested in the elite range in speed and explosiveness drills at the Combine, but didn’t do agility drills. His TEF score ranks him as the second most explosive lineman in the draft class.  He posted 33 bench press reps, but gets faulted for average play strength.  There seems to be consensus that he has good handwork and initial quickness for a center, but it’s often hard to tell if analysts are rating him as a center or a tackle.

Unfortunately, the Pressure Rate and Run Block grades are not directly comparable to centers, because of the position switch. But the blocking numbers are very good for an OT.

He looks like a fit at center in a zone blocking scheme, with the possibility to raise his ceiling with more strength conditioning. He’d be a developmental project for the Commanders.  I’m feeling more risk than Parker, but he seems to have the attributes to make the switch successfully.

Jager Burton, 5th Year Senior, Kentucky

6-4 | 312 lbs | 32.75” arms | RAS 9.88 | TEF 3.23 (Rk 3) | Age 23

2025 Stats: 12 Games | 819 Blk Snps | Pressure Rate 2.82% | 0 Sacks | 67.5 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  173

Commanders’ Meetings: Team Pro Day

Burton is similar to Zuhn in many ways, except that he has five years experience playing center with four as a starter, and has played all three iOL positions.  He has good size for a center with nearly average arm length, and very good to elite Combine testing numbers. He had the third highest TEF score in the OL class, but analysts fault him for limited play strength.

The tape watchers agree that he is a good fit to a zone blocking scheme, with great burst to pull and good execution reaching targets at the second level. His anchor in pass pro is adequate.

But his blocking numbers are a step down from the centers ranked above him. His Pressure Rate in pass protection ranked 18th among 22 consensus-ranked centers, and was at 49th percentile of qualifying FBS centers. His Run Blocking grade was better, ranking 6th among consensus-ranked centers and 76th percentile in the FBS.

He looks like a backup entering the league, with athletic tools to develop.  If he can get stronger and improve his pass protection, he has a path to push for starting time. But it’s fair question how much developmental potential a 23 year old with four years starting experience has left ahead of him.

Parker Brailsford, Junior, Alabama

6-1.9 | 289 lbs | 32” arms | RAS 8.65 | TEF 3.35 (Rk 1) | Age 22

2025 Stats: 14 Games | 905 Blk Snps | Pressure Rate 2.55% | 1 Sack | 60.0 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  178

Commanders’ Meetings: None

Brailsford is the Little Engine that Could of the center class. I was going to leave him out, because of his size. But the recent Hogs Haven profile by LA Skin forced me to look a little deeper.  I won’t bother to paraphrase LA’s detailed film breakdown.  Just click the link above.

LA’s film analysis convinced me that Brailsford has the competitive demeanor, athleticism, skills and play smarts to overcome his size limitations.  But the blocking numbers pulled me back.  His Pressure Rate in pass protection ranked 15th out of 22 consensus-ranked prospects, and around 61st percentile of FBS centers. His Run Blocking Grade ranked 20th among consensus ranked players and was 28th percentile in the FBS.

While Brailsford overachieves for his size, he might be facing too big an obstacle to overcome in the NFL. If he went undrafted, I would consider switching him to interior pass rusher, where his explosive athleticism and understanding of blocking schemes might give him an advantage. But there are better options for the Commanders at center in the draft class.

Matt Gulbin C, 5th Year Senior, Michigan State

6-4 | 305 lbs | 31.75” arms | RAS 3.46 | TEF 2.50 | Age 23.4

2025 Stats: 11 Games | 727 Blk Snps | Pressure Rate 1.23% (Rk 4) | 2 Sacks | 81.9 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  181

Commanders’ Meetings: None

Gulbin is another difficult evaluation.  He looks good on film for an inside zone blocking scheme, and the blocking performance numbers are outstanding. But the lack of length and atrocious athletic testing numbers cast some doubts about how well his game will translate to the pro level.

He has good size for a center, but short arms.  He tested very poorly in agility testing at the combine (4.96 sec shuttle, 8.33 sec 3-cone), as well as the broad jump (8’5”) and the bench (21 reps). The bench performance seems at odds with the consensus opinion that he has good play strength.  The 5.30 sec 40 at his pro day didn’t help matters.

But maybe he is one of those guys who has overcover athletic limitations through sheer determination and technical perfection.  His performance numbers demand attention. Gulbin’s Pressure Rate in pass protection ranked 4th among consensus-ranked centers and 96th percentile in the FBS.  His Run Blocking Grade was the highest in the draft class and the FBS.

According to PFF, Gulbin had a 191 to 77 split between zone and gap concepts on run blocking downs. How a player with such poor athletic testing numbers could perform so well at zone blocking is a mystery that is beyond my expertise to figure out.  The fact that the Commanders haven’t scheduled a meeting with him suggests that I might not have to.

Nick Dawkns, 5th Year Senior, Penn State

6-4 | 305 lbs | 33.75” arms | RAS 9.77 | Age 24

2025 Stats: 11 Games | 723 Blk Snps | Pressure Rate 1.73% | 2 Sacks | 68.3 Run Blk Grade

Consensus Rank:  435

Commanders’ Meetings: American Bowl

Dawkins is a potential late round/undrafted diamond in the rough I found by scrolling through the Commanders’ meeting list. What caught the scouts’ eye to schedule a meeting with a player who has flown completely under the media radar?

Dawkins comes from an NFL family, with a cousin in Canton and another starting at LT for the Bills. According to the home town press, it took him three years to work his way up the Penn State depth chart. His hard work earned him team captain honors in his final two years as the starter. He also earned the moniker “Mayor of State College” for his role in the Penn State community, along with the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and Allstate Good Works Team Captain award, recognizing his achievement founding the Dawkins Family Foundation to champion academic and athletic excellence for young students.

On the field, Dawkins played a big part in the success of running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, who will be heading to the NFL later this week. He also held his own in pass protection. According to Jimmy Williams of Draft Diamonds, Dawkins’ game is powered by explosiveness and exceptional strength, which is supported by his testing numbers.

In 2025, he split rushing reps 226:116 between gap and zone concepts.  According to Williams, he thrives on inside zone runs, where he generates movement, with length and mobility to reach, seal, and climb effectively to the second level.

The blocking performance metrics show him to be significantly above average in both phases.  His Pressure Rate in pass protection ranked 7th among consensus-ranked centers and was at the 87th percentile among FBS centers. His Run Blocking Grade ranked 10th out of 22 consensus ranked centers and was at the 78th percentile in the FBS.

Despite the lack of media attention, Dawkins stands out in the center draft class for his character and leadership off the field, and his strength and length, which are weaknesses for many of the more highly ranked prospects. He seems like a player who will appeal to the front office and coaching staff, if his game tape measures up. He should be available in the seventh round or after the draft.