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2026 NFL Draft Center Rankings: CFN’s College Football Perspective
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- 2026 NFL Draft Center Rankings: CFN’s College Football Perspective
This isn't the year to need a center.
A few key prospects from other positions - Duke's Brian Parker and Texas A&M
's Trey Zuhn - will help fill out the class, but it's a lean bunch that will take a little creativity to find the right ones to fit the exact schemes.
Okay, no, things aren't that desperate, especially compared to last year, when four centers were selected with three going on Day 3. But it's not like 2024, when 11 centers were selected, but just three before the fifth round.
Here are the ten centers worth a long look on draft weekend.
Sep 13, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) looks on before the game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Kinnick Stadium.© Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
CFN 2026 NFL Draft Center Rankings: Finding the Diamonds in the Rough
At a Glance: CFN Top 2026 NFL Draft Centers
- Sam Hecht
( Kansas State
) – Arguably the best technician of the bunch
- Logan Jones
( Iowa
) - A fighter of a Hawkeye blocker
- Connor Lew
(Auburn) - Great, but getting over an injury
- Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M) - Experienced, but at OT
- Jake Slaughter
( Florida
) - Upside, but needs the right fit
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What Makes This Center Class Different?
There aren't a slew of big blasters, but there's plenty of versatility and options to choose from. There aren't any sure-thing Day 1 locks, but there's plenty of experience and a whole lot of feistiness. The ones who stick will be the leaders of their respective lines.
CFN 2026 Position Previews
QBs
| RBs
| WRs
| TEs
| OTs
| OGs
Edge/DEs
| DTs
| LBs
| CBs
| Safeties
Jager Burton
CFN C Rank:10
College: Kentucky
Projected Draft Round:7
Height/Weight:6-4, 312
Experience:Four-year starter working at guard and center.
With a nice combination of size and athleticism. Throw in the experience, and there are just enough positives to use as a versatile option in the interior.
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Parker Brailsford
CFN C Rank:9
College: Alabama
Projected Draft Round:5
Height/Weight:6-2, 289
Experience:One-year All-Pac-12 starter at Washington, two years at Alabama, 2025 All-SEC.
Way too small, but super athletic, he fights on every play, and he makes up for his issues with quickness. He'll get an honest shot and be a hard cut, but the lack of size matters here.
Brian Parker
CFN C Rank:8
College:Duke
Projected Draft Round:4
Height/Weight:6-5, 309
Experience:Three-year starter, two-time All-ACC.
There's not enough bulk to be a guard, and he's not quick enough for his natural position at tackle. He's too good a blocker not to find a spot somewhere with a strong Day 3 pick.
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Matt Gulbin
CFN C Rank:7
College:Michigan State
Projected Draft Round:5
Height/Weight:6-4, 305
Experience:Two-year starter at Wake Forest, All-Big Ten last year at Michigan State.
Strong enough for his size and with enough quickness to get by, he's got a good skill set to be tried out as a possible late-round find.
Pat Coogan
CFN C Rank:6
College: Indiana
Projected Draft Round:6
Height/Weight:6-5, 311
Experience:Two-year starter at Notre Dame, All-Big Ten last year at Indiana.
The former Notre Dame guard moved to center, moved to IU, and became a legend. He doesn't take a play off, but the NFL tools aren't there to stand out. He's versatile enough to play a variety of roles.
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Jake Slaughter
CFN C Rank:5
College:Florida
Projected Draft Round:4
Height/Weight:6-5, 303
Experience:Three-year starter, two-time All-American.
While he moves well and could be great in the right scheme, he doesn't bring a ton of pop or power. He'll be eaten alive by the bigger NFL defensive tackles, but he'll stick as an elite interior pass protector.
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) lines up during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field.© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Trey Zuhn
CFN C Rank:4
College:Texas A&M
Projected Draft Round:4
Height/Weight:6-6, 312
Experience:Four-year starter, two-time All-SEC.
Okay, okay, he was a tackle in college, but he saw a little time at center. Zuhn doesn't have NFL quickness to play tackle, and in a down year for the position, he should be great in the middle.
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Connor Lew
CFN C Rank:3
College:Auburn
Projected Draft Round:3
Height/Weight:6-3, 310
Experience:A starter for over three years, but an injury cut 2025 short.
It will take some patience, but he could be the best center in the draft in a year or so. How quickly can he get past a torn ACL? When he's right, he's a good athlete with the bulk to generate a decent push.
Sam Hecht
CFN C Rank:2
College:Kansas State
Projected Draft Round:3
Height/Weight:6-4, 303
Experience:Two-year starter, two-time All-Big 12
Yet another try-hard Kansas State blocker who made himself into something special.
The tools aren't amazing, but he does everything right, he moves well, and he'll quickly become a leader of a front five. He needs to be surrounded by girthy guards, though.
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Logan Jones
CFN C Rank:1
College:Iowa
Projected Draft Round:3
Height/Weight:6-3, 299
Experience:Four-year starter, three-time All-Big Ten, 2025 All-American.
The former defensive lineman brings that sort of toughness and anger to the interior. No, he doesn't have the raw bulk, but that never seems to matter when it comes to top blockers from Iowa.
Best Value Prospect
Pat Coogan, IndianaNo, he doesn't have the athleticism or all-around tools, but he's a tenacious blocker and a true leader who'll be a tough cut in camp. There's a chance he could be tried out at guard in a desperate pinch.
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Top Sleeper Prospect
Jager Burton, KentuckyThere's work to do on his style and technique, but he's been around for seemingly forever, and he knows how to block. He'll likely be a key free agent pickup, but he does enough things well to pick up late on Saturday.
Will Go Too Early
Jake Slaughter, Florida
With a nice frame and decent quickness, there's enough in place to be a decent call on Day 3. However, he'll probably go before a slew of other center prospects with a bit more blast - he has to find the right fit.
CFN 2026 Position Previews
QBs
| RBs
| WRs
| TEs
| OTs
| OGs
Edge/DEs
| DTs
| LBs
| CBs
| Safeties
CFN has covered every NFL Draft prospect from a college perspective since 1998.
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Related: 2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings: CFN's College Football Perspective
This story was originally published by College Football News on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL Draft section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
