John Michael Schmitz 2023 NFL Draft Profile
The center of the offensive line is in many ways the captain of the line. They usually make all the calls up front and are leaders in a locker room. Having a good center can do wonders for a team’s offensive line, and there is no better center in the 2023 NFL Draft than Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz. Whichever team lands him in the draft is getting an anchor on their line. Let’s talk about his draft profile.
John Michael Schmitz was not highly recruited coming out — being a three-star recruit — but was a top-ten center prospect in the country. In 2022, JMS would earn first-team All-American and All-Conference honors, as well as second-team academic All-American. I watched him down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl and came away with many pluses next to his name. He was fantastic in run protection. Listening to him speak he is someone that wants to get better every day. Sign me up.
Trey noted about his combine performance that his eye level is great and has great knee bend but lacks pure explosiveness.
I think he has the lateral quickness you need to get out in zone run schemes. He isn’t the strongest in the class, so entering a zone scheme would do wonders. JMS can be a nasty blocker, more than willing to finish the block by running his guy back into the ground. Always seems to have his hands in the right place, which shows patience. Good hands and a solid first punch. He’s got the frame you want at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds. JMS can easily get up to the next level and make his presence felt. Incredibly smart with a massive football IQ.
While he does thrive in run blocking, he has some work to do in pass pro. Shorter than expected arms. This leads to him lunging at defenders if he loses, drawing penalties. He only played center in college, which doesn’t really bother me, but it could others. Same with his age; he will be 24-years-old when he takes his first snap in the NFL, which could deter some.
John Michael Schmitz is without question the best center in the class. Is he better than Tyler Linderbaum from last year’s class? No. But he is a day-one starter and keeps his job as long as he wants it. I have a day two grade on him, but in reality, he shouldn’t make it out of the top 40. He should be a day two priority.
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