2016 NFL Draft: Titans center targets in every round

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) and offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (70) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) and offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (70) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Talking to a lot of people and looking over my notes for the season, it is clear that one of the underrated needs for the Titans is in the middle of the offensive line. This morning in interviews new GM Jon Robinson said that he wants an intelligent offensive line that communicates and that there are improvements that could be made everywhere.

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Luckily for the Tennessee Titans this is a very good class of centers, at least according to Mike Mayock. So, while I think the Titans should wait in the draft to grab a center, it looks like they will have an opportunity to grab a lot of quality centers in every round.

Let’s take a look at the class.

Round 1: Ryan Kelly, Alabama

I know Titans fans will probably have a little bit of a bad taste in their mouths after the last Alabama offensive lineman they drafted was a bust. However, Kelly can’t be judged by the same measuring stick.

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  • Kelly is a very complete center and right now he sits at 37 on my big board, but a lot of that is because he is a center which has a very low positional value. Kelly is fun to watch against the best talent in the SEC and he controls the line of scrimmage very well. Likewise, Saban has always valued consistency and intelligence over athleticism at the center position, luckily he got both in Kelly.

    Round 2: Jack Allen, Michigan State

    Allen is a great run blocker on a team geared around the run. However, as a pass blocker he can definitely hold his own. So much so that some people have said that during his time filling in at left tackle, he was a better left tackle prospect in the NFL rather than Jack Conklin who will like be a top-40 guy.

    Round 3: Nick Martin, Notre Dame

    Another blue blood school for offensive linemen, Martin has a lot of great qualities. He was a team captain, he is an intelligent on and off the field, he was the anchor of a great college line, and he has outstanding size for the position.

    His offense is the big knock on him because it essentially lets you get position on a defender because he has to read and react.

    Round 4: Max Tuerk, USC

    Tuerk was one of my favorite guys before this year but he had a rough year culminating in an ACL tear so he fell from a top-40 guy to a Day 3 guy. I think he is one of the better athletes at center in this draft.

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    Round 5: Evan Boehm, Mizzou

    Boehm is an aggressive defender that has flashed against some of the best defenders in the SEC.

    Round 6: Graham Glasgow, Michigan

    Glasgow is dominating Shrine Game practices and that usually earns a second look. I could see him as a solid Day 3 pick.

    Round 7: Mike Matthews, TAMU

    Great bloodlines, better than the last Matthews the Titans brought in, and a player who has played in an offense known for producing highly drafted offensive linemen.

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