INDIANAPOLIS -- Todd McShay posted his final mock draft on Thursday. And to no surprise, McShay has the Indianapolis Colts taking an offensive lineman.
But instead of it being an offensive tackle, he has them selecting Alabama center Ryan Kelly.
Center is a bigger need for the Colts, especially since the owner, front office and coach Chuck Pagano have said the interior part of the offensive line needs to improve. They’ve started five different players at center since drafting Andrew Luck in 2012.
Selecting a center in the first round of the draft is unusual. There hasn’t been a center drafted in the first round since 2013 when Dallas selected Travis Frederick with the 31st pick.
There have been a total of just eight centers taken in the first round since 2000. Mike Pouncey was the highest center taken in the draft of those players. Miami took him with the No. 15 pick in 2011
Frederick (2013)
Mike Pouncey (2011)
Maurkice Pouncey (2010)
Alex Mack (2009)
Eric Wood (2009)
Nick Mangold (2006)
Chris Spencer (2005)
Jeff Faine (2003)
What should be noted, though, is that the centers taken in the first round from the group above have had successful careers for the most part. Frederick, Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, Mack, Wood and Mangold have combined for 22 Pro Bowl appearances. Faine was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2007.
