Any draft standouts at Center?

[Eydugstr]

Lately all the talk has been about QB's, or switching back to a 4-3 defense...Has there been any talk at all over solving Pioli's folly at center? What if Hudson comes back and isn't the same, we can't expect Lilja to be the permanent solution there. Would we still be able to get a decent center in the 2nd or 3rd rounds this year?

[fairladyZ]

lilja retired, hudson i'm sure will be fine.. but i full expect us to atleast pickup 1 or maybe 2 OG/C in the draft for backups

[brdempsey69]

Lately all the talk has been about QB's, or switching back to a 4-3 defense...Has there been any talk at all over solving Pioli's folly at center? What if Hudson comes back and isn't the same, we can't expect Lilja to be the permanent solution there. Would we still be able to get a decent center in the 2nd or 3rd rounds this year?

Lilja is already retired. There is Khaled Holmes, C, USC whose said to be a possible 2nd or 3rd round prospect. Maybe FA might turn up someone worthy of bringing in.

But you are correct, it is an area they need to address.

[jason1981]

If we get OT with the first pick i would kike to resign albert and move him to LG. That would shore up our line alot. Keep allen and stephenson as backups.

[Eydugstr]

Definitely agree about keeping Allen & Stephenson around. All things considered they played pretty well.

Just don't want to see us get into another situation where we have to "convert" a person into an NFL-level center in the middle of a game, like last season. Would think we could fine a good C in later rounds as insurance for Hudson.

[jap1]

Would love to see Barrett jones from Alabama, the guy has played every position on the OL. He would be awesomely valuable since he could come in to any position (although he probably isn't quick enough to play OT in the NFL). I doubt he makes it past the first round, though, and I wouldn't take him earlier than 20, 25.

[Eydugstr]

I'm not sure solving the center issue would be worth using a first round draft pick, but it's something we need to take a look at, maybe this will be a good gauge of the new HC/GM to see if they solve the LESS popular issues as well as the more popular ones (QB).

Khaled Holmes would definitely be worth a look if we took Barkley with the first (he'd be accustomed to Barkley's snap counts, used to handing off to him, etc etc, cut down on some of mistakes that could happen).

[DMN]

If we get OT with the first pick i would kike to resign albert and move him to LG. That would shore up our line alot. Keep allen and stephenson as backups.

This

[brdempsey69]

If we get OT with the first pick i would kike to resign albert and move him to LG. That would shore up our line alot. Keep allen and stephenson as backups.

Yes, this would bolster the O-Line a lot.

[matthewschiefs]

If we get OT with the first pick i would kike to resign albert and move him to LG. That would shore up our line alot. Keep allen and stephenson as backups.

I think if we get a OT we should have him and Albert both work for the LT spot Albert might be ahead of him at least short term due to him be a rookie. But If the rookie shows he can do it at the same or better level then Albert then he should be the LT and then move Albert to LG. You never know how well a rookie is going to take to the NFL.

[N TX Dave]

What about Stephenson he did pretty good as a rookie filling in for Albert could he be the next LT? And yes we need another C/OG as a backup if not for any other reason but they can be picked up on the third day of draft or FA.

[chiefnut]

picking an LT #1 then moving albert seems like a waste of money and the #1 pick. albert has to my surprise turned into an elite LT, he does not dominate but he gets the job done in pass protection. our nee would now be at guard. none worthy of a #1 and should be some available in rounds #2 & #3. now w/joeckel available might be possible to trade down a few spots and pick up an extra pick we can use for the O line. we also need a stud CB, MLBor ILB, and S. of course this is all after QB. Stephenson has played very well indeed against some of the leagues best and could be insurance aginst an albert hold out or overpaying. there should be alot of value in this draft for us, it just has to be handled correctly. we will see how the new regime does on draft day. no big deal if we don't take a QB in round #1 there is equaly good talent in #2. the differene from geno to barkley to tyler to landry is about the same as dalton to ponder. not much!!!

[N TX Dave]

The only thing that I am worried about Albert is his back he missed a few games this year because of it, how many will he miss with a big fat contract? But we have Stephenson who did a good job of filling in as a rookie for him, is he a good replacement for Albert that is already on the team?

[jap1]

I think if we get a OT we should have him and Albert both work for the LT spot Albert might be ahead of him at least short term due to him be a rookie. But If the rookie shows he can do it at the same or better level then Albert then he should be the LT and then move Albert to LG. You never know how well a rookie is going to take to the NFL.

Not sure how Albert will feel about that since he was getting talked up as a potential pro bowl,candidate and one of the top 5 LTs this season. Only way he would even consider signing if we drafted a LT would be to make him one of the highest paid guards in the NFL, even though he hasn't ever played guard in the NFL. Albert is fine, focus on interior line and all that her positions that are lacking.

[brdempsey69]

picking an LT #1 then moving albert seems like a waste of money and the #1 pick. albert has to my surprise turned into an elite LT, he does not dominate but he gets the job done in pass protection. our nee would now be at guard. none worthy of a #1 and should be some available in rounds #2 & #3. now w/joeckel available might be possible to trade down a few spots and pick up an extra pick we can use for the O line. we also need a stud CB, MLBor ILB, and S. of course this is all after QB. Stephenson has played very well indeed against some of the leagues best and could be insurance aginst an albert hold out or overpaying. there should be alot of value in this draft for us, it just has to be handled correctly. we will see how the new regime does on draft day. no big deal if we don't take a QB in round #1 there is equaly good talent in #2. the differene from geno to barkley to tyler to landry is about the same as dalton to ponder. not much!!!

If I had to guess, I believe that Stephenson will show the new regime enough that they won't take a LT at #1, but they also won't put a franchise tag on Albert or pay him top 3 LT money like he may want ( to me, he isn't even a top 3 LT in the AFC West, let alone the NFL ).

It's going to be interesting, for sure.

[chiefnut]

top centers are barret jones who had a monster day for alabama and travis frederick from wisconson.....jones is projected late 1st to early 2nd round, fredrick is mid to late 2nd . if we do pick a starting center hudson can move back to guard to replace lilja.
of course we can grab warmrack from alabama their guard who also had a dominant day. expected to go from top 5 to 10...he should be a plug-n-play guy, or copper from nc mid to late first round if he fell to us.