Which centers were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft? Who were the teams that drafted those centers, and how does the 2022 class compare to previous years?
Which Centers Were Drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Let’s take a look at the centers drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. In general, the center position tends to be more heavily selected on Day 2. However, it has become commonplace in recent seasons to see at least one center drafted on Day 1.
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa | Baltimore Ravens
Round 1, Pick 25
Linderbaum to the Ravens was one of the easiest picks to predict. His lunch-pail style meshed perfectly with the run-first offense built around Lamar Jackson’s skill set.
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Baltimore has built a reputation for tough and hard-nosed football on both sides of the ball, and Linderbaum stepped right in to get after it with everybody else. Not often does a player get drafted, and everyone just nods their heads as if to say, “Yeah, of course, we knew that was coming.”
Cameron Jurgens, Nebraska | Philadelphia Eagles
Round 2, Pick 51
Future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce has flirted with retirement each of the last few years. Getting Cam Jurgens was a steal in the late middle of Round 2. The big-bodied Nebraska offensive lineman now has the potential to be the long-term succession plan behind Kelce in Philadelphia.
Luke Fortner, Kentucky | Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 3, Pick 65
The Jags were surprised when Brandon Linder retired to close out 2022. They immediately responded by drafting who they hope can be the long-term replacement in Luke Fortner. He may have been a Round 3 pick, but Fortner has the ability to keep developing into a front-line starter.
Rounds 4-7
4) Luke Wattenberg, Washington
Round 5, Pick 171 | Broncos
5) Doug Kramer, Illinois
Round 6, Pick 207 | Bears
6) Dawson Deaton, Texas Tech
Round 7, Pick 246 | Browns
How Many Centers Were Drafted in 2022?
With only six true centers drafted, the position continues to be one getting devalued in terms of draft selections. Its importance on the field has never been in question, but as the draft plays out, the belief is you can get good ones in any round, so get premium players earlier in the draft process. Also, many teams believe they can convert guards into centers.
In 2022, the selection of Tyler Linderbaum made him the only center drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. It’s the fourth time in the last five years that at least one center was selected in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.