Overview
Position: Center
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 312 pounds
School: Arkansas Razorbacks
Combine Performance Data
Bench press: 26 reps
Frank Ragnow 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Playing on the offensive line his whole career, Frank Ragnow has somewhat flown under the radar when it comes to prospects in this year’s class. He plays center, which is possibly the most underrated position in football: the quarterback of the offensive line and the anchor each unit needs. One thing teams covet from their centers is consistency across all facets of their game. Whether it is exhibited with the New York Jets during Nick Mangold‘s reign or Travis Frederick on the Dallas Cowboys‘ offensive line, the value a quality center possesses is unprecedented to an offense. Ragnow looks to be the league’s next All-Pro center and he certainly has a shot at doing so.
At Arkansas, where Ragnow completed his senior season, the stellar center was the clear-cut leader of the offensive line. The rest of his linemates were lackluster at best, leaving efficient passer Austin Allen bruised and battered. However, Ragnow dominated opponents, going 2,603 snaps without allowing a sack. Though spectacular throughout his collegiate career, Ragnow has gone relatively unnoticed, in part due to some injury-riddled campaigns. When he is on the field, Ragnow is a monster at the center position. He has the potential to completely change the dynamic of an offense with his blend of strength, skills, and smarts.
Strengths
- one of the toughest competitors in the class as he plays hard and never takes plays off;
- continuously uses his freakish strength to finish opposing defensive lineman, often times ending in a “pancake” block;
- incredibly clean while protecting the pass, practically perfect statistically during his time at Arkansas;
- also strong in the run game – knows when to lead a run or to stay and continue manipulating a gap;
- can pull relatively well and create plays towards the sidelines;
- an amazing pre-snap intelligence that coaches will love as he becomes a leader for the team that selected him;
- a disciplined offensive lineman who won’t be racking up holds at the next level.
Weaknesses
- doesn’t play with the speed one would like from a pulling lineman.
- not the smoothest center – when asked to rotate and jump around to multiple blocks on a developing pass play, can get lost.
- can misread plays and take the incorrect angle to engage in a block, resulting in it being shed.
- while leading a run, can engage in the wrong defender, ending the play prematurely.
- doesn’t have the cleanest mechanics, but gets the job done.
NFL Comparison: Greg Mancz
Teams With Need at Position: Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears
Projection: Late first to early second round
Bottom Line
Ragnow has a ton of talent from an interior offensive line position and can be a day one starter, leader, and difference maker. He has a shot at being the first center taken and it is well-deserved. His consistency, especially in pass blocking, is unmatched by any lineman in this class. He has the potential to be a culture-changing asset with his hard-nosed mentality. Ragnow is talented enough to a point where he is not scheme dependent and versatile enough to play either guard position if that is asked of him. Overall, he’s a high ceiling, high floor prospect with a good shot at being an elite center at the next level.
