All articles tagged with #center
With OTAs underway, Washington faces questions at outside cornerback and center as it weighs limited free-agent options and evaluates recent draft picks and rookies, while new coordinators shape a run-heavy scheme and quarterback Daniels benefits from VR-based reps to sharpen timing and drops.
With Calais Campbell signed and Skylar Thompson added, Baltimore sits at 90 players and about $28 million in cap space, forcing GM Eric DeCosta to chase a starting center (likely via trade) while weighing veteran depth at other positions. The article outlines potential veteran additions at running back, wide receiver, swing tackle, outside and inside linebackers, and safety, noting that cap realism means balancing young players’ development with practical upgrades. In short, Baltimore will pursue selective veteran depth—especially at tackle or safety—while continuing to evaluate its young group and stay flexible for the season.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said after the draft that Baltimore didn’t land a center and that moving up for a center may have been too costly, but the team could pursue a trade or other options to fill the vacancy created by Tyler Linderbaum’s departure, with Danny Pinter, Jovaughn Gwyn and Corey Bullock currently on the roster as scouts look for alternatives before fall.
Baltimore drafted Vega Ioane to bolster the interior line but still must replace center Tyler Linderbaum; the draft-run center gap has led to speculation that a veteran addition or a trade could fill the spot, with in-house options including Danny Pinter (the only starter among the group), Jovaughn Gwyn, Corey Bullock, and Nick Dawkins, plus veteran targets like Graham Glasgow and Ethan Pocic. The Ravens’ draft also featured Rayshaun Benny, ESPN Top 100 picks for Ioane, Zion Young, Elijah Sarratt, Chandler Rivers, and Benny, and Josh Cuevas’ draft-day moment with Mark Andrews signaling continued depth-building.
The Chicago Bears selected Iowa center Logan Jones with the 57th pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding a four-year Iowa starter and Rimington Award winner who is expected to develop behind veteran Garrett Bradbury after trading for him; Jones is known for his rugged demeanor and technique, and could take over at center in 2027 as the team seeks long-term stability at the position.
The Chicago Bears drafted Iowa center Logan Jones in Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, signaling they view him as a long‑term solution at center, and they continued addressing their offense with two more Day 2 picks on Friday.
USC center Gabe Dynes, a 7-foot-5 junior with one year of eligibility, plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after a 2025-26 season in which he appeared in 30 games (6 starts), averaging 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 block in 11.9 minutes on 78.8% shooting. Dynes previously starred at Youngstown State, where he led the nation with 104 blocks as a sophomore. USC finished 18-14 overall and 7-13 in conference; the transfer portal window runs from April 7 to April 21.
Chicago Blackhawks rookie Anton Frondell has surged in nine NHL games, scoring three goals and eight points while moving from wing to center, and is leading the team in points during his first stretch in the NHL, praised for his elite defensive instincts and quick adaptation despite limited practice time.
Trevor Zegras, traded to Philadelphia from Anaheim, found his stride after Flyers coach Rick Tocchet moved him back to center as a test run post-Brink trade. In 17 games since the switch, Philadelphia has gone 12-4-1, Zegras has tallied 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists), and the team has surged into playoff contention, highlighted by a 5-1 road win over New Jersey where he opened with two goals. While questions remain about whether he’ll remain at center long-term, his resurgence has provided a beacon for the Flyers’ late-season push and underscored the need for continued improvement at the No. 1 center role.
The Minnesota Vikings’ updated free-agent big board focuses on realistic, mid-tier targets across quarterback, center, defensive tackle, safety, cornerback, and punter rather than splashy signs. Kyler Murray is the likely one-year quarterback, with Rodgers or Cousins as backups if needed. Center options include Ethan Pocic, Cushenberry, Glasgow, Daniels, and Corbett. Defensive-tackle targets feature Sebastian Joseph-Day, Larry Ogunjobi, Dalvin Tomlinson, D.J. Reader, and Jihad Ward. Safeties to consider are Jaquan Brisker, Kyle Dugger, Geno Stone, Donovan Wilson, and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Cornerbacks on the radar include Cam Taylor-Britt, Marshon Lattimore, Jack Jones, Trevon Diggs, and Roger McCreary. For specialists, punters like Matt Haack, Bradley Pinion, Corliss Waitman, Sam Martin, and Johnny Hecker are in play. The team has already re-signed Aaron Jones and James Pierre and will continue to pursue depth rather than blockbuster moves, with updates as players come off the board.
The Raiders reportedly signed Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million contract, paying about $27 million per year and boosting the NFL center market by roughly 50% from previous highs, raising questions about potential overpayment and signaling changes to franchise-tag dynamics for interior linemen.
Las Vegas Raiders reportedly signed Ravens Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal (about $27 million per year with roughly $60 million guaranteed), a record for the position that Baltimore reportedly couldn’t match. The Ravens now seek a replacement (with Corey Bullock among options) while the Raiders bolster their line for Klint Kubiak’s stretch-zone scheme; the article also notes a rumored trade involving Maxx Crosby as part of the overhaul.
Three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, including $60 million guaranteed. The deal resets the center market and gives the Raiders a top run-blocking anchor to support Klint Kubiak’s offense as they rebuild their line after placing the Ravens’ fifth-year option under pressure.
Center Tyler Linderbaum is a top free-agent target as the Ravens seek to re-sign him amid a market that could push his price above $20 million per year; other teams like the Raiders, Commanders and Titans are in the mix, while Albert Breer notes his camp is aiming for roughly $25 million annually—well above Creed Humphrey's deal—leaving his destination uncertain despite his three-time Pro Bowl status and durability.
Green Bay re-signed offensive lineman Sean Rhyan to a three-year, $33 million contract (potentially up to $39 million) with an $11 million signing bonus, after he started at right guard and then mainly at center following Elgton Jenkins’ injury. While not elite, he’s now paid among the league’s top centers, and the deal largely ends Jenkins’ return to Green Bay and reshapes the guard spot as Rhyan develops at center.