Center is never a position people think about until the team needs one, by then, it might be too late.
NEPD Staff Contributor: Jeff Fidler
Background
- May 17, 1996 (age 21) From Minnesota
- 4 Star recruit w/ several Big offers.
- Ankle injury cut his season short.
- Recognized for community work
Strengths
- Big Boy, Thick from ankles to shoulders, 6’5/315 , 33+ arms.
- Run Blocking, Eyes, Hands & Toughness – Throw back power pig that takes pride in driving his man backwards on down blocks. Shoots out low, commits to getting his hands inside whenever he can & will lift his man & move him back. Feet & hands work very well on Reach blocks. Can pull & beat DE around the edge to get outside. Eyes are always moving. Whether he’s locating a target or peeking on his next assignment while already engaged. Eyes are very good. Tough, brawler who enjoys the play to play fight.
- Pass Pro, Feet & Play Strength – Very natural, functional play strength that manifest itself by way of brick wall. At 6’4, Ragnow is a big Center but does a great job of hitting first & locking inside & dropping his butt. Quick feet help him stay balanced & work lateral if need be. Feet are usually in good position to work opponents where he wants them. Play Strength is legit & hands are very good in p.p. too.
- Versatility & Production – Started & Played well at G/C. Per P.F.F. – Ragnow allowed just 1 QB hurry when playing center in 2017 & only 2 pressures in one game at right guard. Three hurries allowed on 488 snaps. For his career, 8 WB hits & 27 hurries on 2,603 snaps. Didn’t allow 1 sack in entire career.
- 100% football player w/ a mean motor. Never stops looking for work. Loves the physicality of the game. Loves running around hitting people.
- Very durable player that has started over 30 straight games before recent ankle injury. No problem w/ QB under center or in gun. Team Captain.
Concerns
- Gets too aggressive at times & gets a little messy w/ hands & balance.
- Will prob always play a little too high.
- Not the fleetest of foot but he loves to move & get dirty.
Summary
If you enjoy football, you enjoy watching Ragnow. He’s a fighter who loves getting down & dirty. Loves hitting, running around the field & accomplishing a task like advancing foward on a good run play w/ his teammates. Ragnow is a throw back player. Teams that run a lot, play a lot of iso/power will value him more than others. His motor, toughness & versatility just make him that much more coveted.
Traits That Translate
Here are some clips that show off Ragnow’s versatile skill set & his healthy ankle.
2nd video of #FrankRagnow showing off his rare mobility. At 6’5 309 he’s a dancing bear. He had an injury plagued senior year and appears to be dropping but he’s still a 1st rounder in my eyes. Someone likely gets a steal in the 2nd. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/8DBFf7FFgp
— Jon Anderson (@dfwprosportsjon) March 22, 2018
Best in class: C #FrankRagnow Arkansas. He’s agile, strong, and SEC battle tested as a 4 year starter. He didn’t allow a sack for his career and has elite film the past two seasons. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/7J7gHQGxC8
— Jon Anderson (@dfwprosportsjon) March 22, 2018
C- Frank Ragnow video/thread
Arkansas 6’5” 309 he decided to return for his to college for his Senior year and put off the NFL until 2018. Ragnow is more of a traditional drive center compared to the other top options at the position @49ersHive @FPC_NFL #FrankRagnow #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/qmXWM53OTC— NFL Draft and 49ers (@JL_Chapman) February 21, 2018
“Just worried about his ankle” #staywoke pic.twitter.com/S9HRb5COke
— Frank Ragnow (@KNARFWONGAR) March 20, 2018
1st Josh Jackson CB Iowa
2nd Rasheem Green DE
2nd Fred Warner Will LB
3rd Kyle Lauretta QB
4th Noteboom OL
6th Ryan Izzo TE Blocking TE type can help the oline as well to block
7th James Butler RB Iowa
7 round mock Patriots
Round 1 Sam Hubbard DE/OLB Ohio State
Round 2 Dallas Goedert TE SD State
Round 2 Kyle Lauletta QB Richmond
Round 3 Joe Ostman DE/OLB Central Michigan
Round 4 (comp) Brett Toth OT Army
Round 6 Skai Moore LB/S South Carolina
Round 7 Jordan Thomas CB Oklahoma
I wouldn’t be stunned if we trade up for Mike McGlinchey or Kolton Miller in the first round. Has shown strong interest in both but I am confident neither will be there at 31 given it is thin tackle group. Josh Allen if he slipped a bit I wouldn’t be stunned on a trade up for him either but I think it is next to impossible he makes it out of top 5. We did attend his pro day.
Sam Hubbard – Talented player good size can play in space and rush passer. Great at setting the edge. Very disruptive. Former Lacrose Player. Had private workout with Bill. Fits major need at dline and linebacker
Dallas Goedert – Talented tight end small school highly productive. Become #2 tight end right away
Kyle Lauletta – I think pats draft Lauletta, Falk or Litton if we don’t trade up in first round in the draft. No explanation needed big time need to get young qb in the system
Joe Ostman – Huge motor huge production insanely distruptive player. Undersized high character player. worked out with Pats I think he is a key mid round target for pats. Can play Linebacker or dline.
Brett Toth – Army tackle – huge talent and great size. played mainly right tackle but has size and athletic ability for left tackle. main concern is whether he will be required to do military service right away. Patriots took chance on a Long snapper in same situation definitely should be willing to take chance with a top end tackle prospect.
Skai Moore – can play in space great tackler and motor. good movement skills. undersized linebacker but has great ball sikills. Had huge interception production and pass deflections for a linebacker. Can really by a strong safety as well. Playmaker which is what pats defense needs badly.
Jordan Thomas – good cover corner with strong movement skills. had fastest 3 cone at combine. Decent size can play inside or outside and has decent ball skills. Lacks consistency but has upside for a late round pick.
I would not be surprised one bit if we draft Frank Ragnow, nor would I be disappointed. Big dancing bear that would be an asset to any Oline.
Many will say that Guard/Center aren’t a need, but remember that last year we apparently were going to take Dan Feeny in the 3rd until the Chargers grabbed him a few spots before us.
an interesting tidbit on Marcus Davenport:
Davenport is another prospect from a non-Power Five FBS school who earned a Senior Bowl invitation. In Mobile, Davenport put his impressive skill set on display with the speed to rush the passer off the edge, plus functional strength and length. He did have some lowlights though and needs to learn more pass-rushing moves for the NFL, because he is too dependent on speed or bull rushes. He also was not firing off the ball and needs to stop himself from standing and looking at blockers rather than firing out of his stance. Considering his level of competition, it isn’t surprising that Davenport is raw. However, he clearly has the length and athleticism to play on the edge in the NFL.
Edge defenders with length are always in demand, so even though Davenport needs development, he could be a mid- to late first-rounder. Scouts from over a handful of teams have told me that Davenport is a good player and impressed them in 2017, but they thought a top-16 pick is too high for him. They think the back half of the first round is possible.
Davenport likely will go around the 12 to 18 range from most accounts and mocks by the pros. Easy to see why, has all the tools just needs the coaching at the pro level.
I loved Marcus & hoped he’d stay hidden to an extent. Such a nice prospect. Young, huge, moves so smooth. Good overall understanding for where he’s come from. He’s not an instant, big impact guy but he’s worth the 1st rd pick.
anyone have thoughts on Bentley Spain from UNC? He could get stronger but from what I read he might be a day 3 pick.
1st:Dorance Armstrong JR DE-OLB
2nd:Fred Warner ILB-OLB
2nd:Oren Burks ILB-S
3rd:Jamarco Jones OT – may need a year to develop more but we have Waddle for a year to help.
4th:Dalton Schultz TE
6th:Logan Woodside QB
7th:Braxton Berrios WR
2) Rasheem Green DE
2)Oren Burks Hybrid LB can cover blitz make plays Cover TE and Bigger Slot WR’s
2) Tim Settle DL Rush
3) Kyle Lauretta QB
4)Dorian O ‘ Daniel Lb Box saf cover rb’s slot Wr’s ST Demon in the least
4 Brandon Parker OL
6) Ryan Nall RB bigger back Matchup weapon split him out wide as TE or H-back
7) Phillip Lindsay RB
Fanspeak Mock Draft (difficult):
1- Arden Key DE (Chandler Jones 2.0)
2- Lorenzo Carter LB (Jamie Collins 2.0)
2- Justin Reid Safety (Goodbye Richards!!!)
3- Raashad Penny RB (Beast/Punt Retuner)
4- Fred Warner LB/ST (See you later Roberts!!!)
6- Logan Woodside QB (GOAT in Training)
Free Agent: Mercedes Lewis TE
I’m figuring Pats D wont change in style where play stop run first on the dline and hold up the OL for LB’s to make plays vs the run and Pass.
1st Lorenzo Carter OLB Rasheem Green DE Or Josh Jackson CB if there
2) Oren Burks Hybrid fav of mine destroyed the combine the 3 cone drill plus 20 yds shuttle where shows your stop and start quickness. I’m his hype man lol telvin smith 2.0 .
2)Kyle Lauretta QB
3) Brandon parker OL
4)Deadrin Senat DT short but beast vs the run rangy going down the line for the tackle as well
6) Ryan Nall RB H-back
7) James Butler RB
If they don’t draft Lauletta, I’ll be shocked.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the do but who knows what BB is going to do? In my mock I have us taking him at #95 but with no power to control anything it’s meaningless. We can only watch and wait.
Mock draft
1st Sam Hubbard DE
2nd Isaiah Oliver CB
2nd Brian O’Neill OTk
3rd Skai Moore LB
4th Durham Smythe TE
6th Chase Litton QB
7th Braxton Berrios WR
So many players to choose, so few picks to use!!!
Who’s Saki Moore I asked and looked him up. Draft Scout has him a 7-FA rating so I must ask Chris why do you have him as a 3rd?
BB spent time with him breaking down film and working him out at South Carolina pro day, I’ve seen him listed as a 7th rounder due to his size but we all know BB will draft a player he likes early, but thinking about it I maybe would put Luke Falk QB in the 3rd and Moore as my 6th rounder.
6th rd sounds a lot more reasonable to me. Bill meets and scouts a lot of prospects not only the highly regarded but low and UDFA types too. It is no accident that every year we see one or two undrafted guys make the 53. He is just so thorough.
Here’s the defense and ST
DE
Adrian Clayborn
Keionta Davis
Trey Flowers
Geneo Grissom
Lawrence Guy
Eric Lee
Derek Rivers
Deatrich Wise
DT
Malcom Brown
Adam Butler
Vincent Valentine
Danny Shelton
LB
Marquis Flowers
Nicholas Grigsby
Dont’a Hightower
Harvey Langi
Elandon Roberts
Kyle Van Noy
CB
Stephon Gilmore
Cyrus Jones
Jonathan Jones
Ryan Lewis
Jason McCourty
Eric Rowe
Jomal Wiltz
S
David Jones
Damarius Travis
Patrick Chung
Nate Ebner
Duron Harmon
Brandon King
Devin McCourty
Jordan Richards
ST
Stephen Gostkowski
Ryan Allen
Joe Cardona
NEEDS: Potentially every position except ST.
PS – may be a better chance on defense rather than offense for a couple of PS players to make an impact at CB and S
Priorities:
Numbers don’t necessarily support but we need some above average pass rushers whether that be DE, DT or LB. Assuming health, run stuffing DT may be the only area without short term need though Brown and Shelton are in potential contract years with about $7 Mill cost to retain each.
LB speeeeeed
CB and S speed and quality depth
On DT my thinking too is that 2019 is contract years for both Brown and Shelton. Unlikely we keep both so a good DT would be desirable this years draft. I mocked Settle but there are other possibles and it would give Bill the option of a trade this or next year. Just my thinking but I always like options.
Both players have 5th year options that the team can exercise
Still will Bill want to carry two high cost DT’s? Cap is always a concern though if he can afford them fine but I still think Settle would be a great addition, I wouldn’t pass on him at #63.
Another thing TommyG, It’s my impression that Brown is a good run stuffer but not so much a pass rusher. Having two DT’s that can do both might make Brown a trade candidate?
Correction: I’m wrong I had the impression Shelton was a better pass rusher then he apparently is.
mock draft 3/25: 1st traded to DET for 2nd ,4th and 5th.
2nd:Frank Warner ILB-OLB
2nd(DET):Josh Sweat EDGE
2nd:Oren Burks ILB-S
3rd:Will Dissly TE
4th(DET):Chase Edmonds RB
4th:Brandon Parker OT
5th(DET):Logan Woodside QB
6th:Keke Coutee WR
7th:Frank Ginda OLB
You have made some pretty good mocks Brandon and I notice your the 2nd guy to take TE Dissly. Am I missing something? Dissly is rated a 6-7th rd pick by NFL Draft Scout but both you and (I think) Kevin z, take him with our 3rd. Reading up on him nothing jumps out to me to challenge their rating. How come?
well I go by draftblaster .com and they have him in the 3 -6 round range.
This might be too bulky but if it works could help in identifying needs. Current offensive roster.
QB Tom Brady
Brian Hoyer
RB Brandon Bolden
Rex Burkhead
Mike Gillislee
Jeremy Hill
James White
FB James Develin
WR Kenny Britt
Brandin Cooks
Phillip Dorsett
Julian Edelman
Chris Hogan
Cody Hollister
Riley McCarron
Malcolm Mitchell
Cordarrelle Patterson
Matthew Slater
TE Dwayne Allen
Rob Gronkowski
Jacob Hollister
Will Tye
C David Andrews
Ted Karras
G Jason King
Shaq Mason
Joe Thuney
James Ferentz
OT Marcus Cannon
Cole Croston
Antonio Garcia
Andrew Jelks
Matt Tobin
NEEDS:
QB Yes, one to groom
RB Yes, a multi dimensional rookie but in place of whom?
FB No
WR Yes, maybe, like RB, one to groom but in place of whom
TE Yes, preferably one who can receive and block
C No, maybe, depth
G No, not in short term, but what if Mason walks
OT Yes, to develop and compete with Garcia and Colston etc.
Which PS players have a chance to fill these needs?
Priority needs over this and to develop for the following year(s): TE, OT, RB, QB
Not a case of to bulky mac it’s just a case can be made for or against a lot of players. The question should be where the needs are greatest overall, then how piratical is it to fill those needs? Take TE, This is not a great TE class. There are some decent prospects, some good receiving some good blocking but one maybe two who can do both though none whom are truly worthy of a pick higher then a low 2nd. (my opinion) Then we have to measure whether a TE has more value then other positions available at the same spot. Not everyone is going to agree on that. In my mind the day one and two picks need to address LT and DE with two out of three of those picks. Then we can decide if say a TE or a WR or a DB or another player’s value is the greatest? In other words our first two picks should address needs first after that value plays an ever increasing importance down through the draft.
This only addresses the draft portion of rebuilding there are also trades to consider and FA later after the final cuts. It’s a complicated process to say the least.
1st Colton Miller OL
2) Fred Warner LB Big safety
2)Dorance Armstrong OLB Rush make plays
3) Tyquen Lewis DE
4)Chad Thomas DE
6) Ryan Nall RB H-back
7) Kadall QB
2) Rasheem Green DE
2)Carlson Davis CB
2) Tim Settle DT
3) Oren Burks Hybrid can cover
4)DJ Reed Cb Nickel S
4 Noteboon OL
6) Ryan Nall RB bigger back Matchup weapon
7) Woodside QB
Love this guy. Makes me wish we needed a center. He will be an all pro in a couple years.