2027 NFL Draft center rankings: Why this class could be the best in nearly a decade

The center position is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most talented groups in the 2027 NFL Draft. I currently have seven centers carrying fourth-round grades or better, which would make this the strongest center class since 2018, when seven players at the position were selected within the first 111 picks. What separates this group from most draft classes is that it offers both high-end talent and exceptional depth, with multiple prospects possessing the athleticism, technique, and upside to develop into first or second-round selections. Leading the way are Iowa's Kade Pieper and Oregon's Iapani Laloulu, but quality starters can be found well beyond the top of the rankings.

Breaking down the top 2027 NFL Draft center prospects

1. Kade Pieper, Iowa

Iowa produced the highest-drafted center in the 2026 NFL Draft and has a good chance of doing the same in 2027 with Kade Pieper. After playing guard last season, Pieper moves to center to replace Logan Jones, whom the Chicago Bears selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. What makes Pieper the top center in this class is his elite athleticism, highlighted by Iowa offensive line records with a 37-inch vertical jump and a 1.52-second 10-yard split. He is also a fundamentally sound blocker with excellent hand placement, allowing him to generate impressive power despite weighing just 298 pounds. His ability to consistently finish blocks is another trait that should help make him a second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

2. Iapani Laloulu, Oregon

The biggest center in the 2027 NFL Draft class is Oregon's Iapani Laloulu, who is also one of the top overall prospects at the position. The 2025 All-American allowed just one sack while being flagged only four times last season after earning top-20 Pro Football Focus grades as both a pass blocker and run blocker in 2024. At 329 pounds, he moves exceptionally well, consistently reaching the second level as a run blocker. The biggest concern is that he can play a little stiff, causing his pad level to rise and limiting the power he generates at times, but his size, athleticism, and consistency still make him one of the premier center prospects in the class. 

3. Jake Guarnera, Michigan

One of the centers I am higher on than most is Michigan's Jake Guarnera. His tape shows an impressive combination of mobility and strength, as he moves well in pass protection while allowing just 13 pressures last season. He also displays excellent grip strength and power at the point of attack, helping him earn a 70.6 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade. After starting at offensive guard last season, Guarnera is expected to move to center in 2026, giving him valuable positional versatility that should appeal to NFL scouts. 

4. Sheridan Wilson, Texas Tech

When it comes to pass protection, it is hard to find a more productive center than Texas Tech's Sheridan Wilson. He has not allowed a sack in his two seasons as a starter, and his 90.9 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade led all centers last season. However, he carries only a Day 3 grade on my board because of his run blocking. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Wilson struggles to consistently play with good pad level, and his lighter frame limits the power he generates at the point of attack. He also needs to reduce the 11 penalties he committed last season if he wants to work his way into Day 2 consideration. 

5. Justin Evans, Nebraska

The final Big Ten center in my top five is Nebraska's Justin Evans, who enters the season as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded returning center. The first trait that stands out on film is his strength, as he consistently moves defenders off the ball and has proven extremely difficult to bull rush, allowing no sacks last season. He also plays with outstanding leverage, and his background as a high school wrestler is evident in the way he wins at the point of attack. The biggest concerns with Evans are his lack of length at 6-foot-2 and his average athleticism, which could create challenges against the explosive interior defensive linemen he'll face in the NFL. Those limitations keep him in the high Day 3 range on my board.

2027 NFL Draft overall Center Class rankings

1. Kade Pieper, Iowa (second round)

2. Iapani Laloulu, Oregon (third round)

3. Jake Guarnera, Michigan (third round)

4. Sheridan Wilson, Texas Tech (fourth round)

5. Justin Evans, Nebraska (fourth round)

6. Bruce Mitchell, BYU (fourth round)

7. Shadre Hurst, Houston (fourth round)

8. Braelin Moore, LSU (sixth round)

9. Drew Bobo, Georgia (sixth round)

10. Michael Hershey, Maryland (seventh round)

11. Carson Hinzman, Ohio State (seventh round)

12. Coleton Price, Kentucky (seventh round)

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