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Who Will Replace Jason Kelce As The NFL’s Top Center?

With former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, the title of NFL's top center is up for grabs. Who will claim it?

NFL centers aren’t sexy. They don’t command much attention unless their numbers are called when a referee announces a penalty. Often described as the “quarterback of the offensive line,” centers communicate with those along the front. They help coordinate pre-snap action while remaining cognate of quarterback audibles. Their contributions are nuanced, but the good ones tend to get noticed more than most. With the retirement of former Philadelphia Eagles Jason Kelce, there’s a pre-training camp opening for earning the designation as the league’s top center.  

Who Will Replace Jason Kelce as The NFL’s Top Center?

Here’s a look at three of the top candidates: Detroit’s Frank Ragnow, Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum, and Atlanta’s Drew Dalman.  

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions  

Despite lingering issues with the turf toe he suffered in 2021, Ragnow registered a career-high 88.1 grade last season, according to PFF.com. One of the league’s top run-blocking centers, Ragnow helped lift the Lions to consecutive playoff wins for the first time last winter.  

After falling one bad half short of qualifying for the franchise’s initial Super Bowl, the Lions remain one of the favorites to clinch back-to-back NFC North titles. Known for arriving at the team’s practice facility before 6 a.m., Ragnow earned his third Pro Bowl selection in 2023.   

With Ragnow anchoring the offensive line, the Lions produced the third-most yards per game (394.8) and finished fifth in points per game (27.1) last season. Entering the Lions’ Week 16 win over the Minnesota Vikings, Ragnow yielded just one sack during his previous 1,735 pass-blocking attempts.   

His health will continue to be monitored by odds-makers. After appearing in all 16 games as a rookie in 2018, Ragnow has missed at least one game during the past five seasons.  

If he stays healthy and the Lions make another playoff run, the competition could be short.  

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens  

Entering his third season, Linderbaum fronts an offensive game plan that relies on a strong running game and the improvision of reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.  

Linderbaum, an athletic lineman with a unique vision and on-field awareness, remains the lynchpin. The Ravens placed fourth in total points (483) and fifth in yards (6,296) last season.  

Is it any wonder why running back Derrick Henry decided to join the Ravens as a free agent?  

A 2022 first-round draft pick, Linderbaum earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season, standing out with zero sacks allowed. If he produces another near-perfect 2024, Linderbaum certainly will challenge to be Kelce’s heir apparent.   

Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons  

Are you looking for an underdog?  

Search no further than Dalman, the son of former offensive lineman and ex-Falcons assistant coach Chris Dalman.  

After overcoming his low snapping tendency in 2024, the younger Dalman continues to climb the league’s center rankings.     

Recognized as a premier run blocker, Dalman paved the way for the Falcons to place ninth in rushing yards per game (127). Rookie running back Bijan Robison fell 24 yards shy of reaching 1,000 yards last season. Tyler Allgeier compiled 683 yards. The Falcons, who lost out on a division title in Week 17, likely will look to Dalman and the running back duo to contend for a wide-open NFC South title.   

Dalman may not be a sexy selection on a hot market franchise to become recognized as the NFL’s top center, but if Robinson and Allgeier rack up additional 1,000-yard campaigns behind him, who knows?  

He could get lucky.

Main Photo: [Kim Klement Neitzel] – USA Today Sports

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins is a two-time APSE award-winning sports writer with four decades of print and digital media experience. A freelancer since 2006, Hawkins spent his early career as a reporter/editor for various newspapers in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois.

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