Cleveland Browns 2017 NFL Draft Profile: Pat Elflein

The Browns could look in-state for their long-term center project. They would need to look no further than Ohio State’s Pat Elflein.

Elflein played guard for most of his Buckeye career. His time at guard will make him more attractive and valuable to NFL teams. He could begin his career as a guard/center interior swing lineman as he adapts to the NFL game.

He switched to center his senior year and played so well that he earned All-Conference and All-American honors at the position.

Elflein’s tape shows a player who can hold the line of scrimmage and make difficult blocks. He plays with what NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock calls “heavy hands” which means he has a good initial punch to stop defender’s momentum.

A major area of evaluation for centers is their football intelligence. Center’s must recognize fronts, change protections (if necessary) and recognize late coming blitzers. Browns centers struggled in these areas mightily last season.

Elflein would be an upgrade in this regard. As his NFL.com scouting profile states:

"Has mental part down. Recognizes twisting defensive tackles and greets them with aggressiveness. Hand placement is excellent. Strikes with upward blows squarely into the strike zone as run blocker. Pass-pro punch is compact with some heat behind it. Can anchor against bull rush. Winning history on high-caliber team. Versatile; proficient and successful at both center and guard.Has mental part down. Recognizes twisting defensive tackles and greets them with aggressiveness. Hand placement is excellent. Strikes with upward blows squarely into the strike zone as run blocker. Pass-pro punch is compact with some heat behind it. Can anchor against bull rush. Winning history on high-caliber team. Versatile; proficient and successful at both center and guard."

But it is not all perfect for Elflein. As he was relatively new to the position last season, he was often fooled by delayed blitzes. He struggled to come off block to pick up those blitzes. Also, against Michigan (above), he was often fooled by defensive line stunt schemes. As the profile states:

"Struggles to come off initial block and body up against delayed, A-gap blitzers. Understands leverage but hip stiffness causes pad level to rise as play rolls along. Anticipates early bull rush and will drop an early anchor. Feet become heavy and limited, allowing athletic opponents to work around his edge and into backfield. Not always first with his hands. Gives away his chest to interior defenders with good hand quickness.Struggles to come off initial block and body up against delayed, A-gap blitzers. Understands leverage but hip stiffness causes pad level to rise as play rolls along. Anticipates early bull rush and will drop an early anchor. Feet become heavy and limited, allowing athletic opponents to work around his edge and into backfield. Not always first with his hands. Gives away his chest to interior defenders with good hand quickness."

Elflein will need to improve his hand quickness as the NFL is full of freak athletes.

Leadership is another major quality at center. As the center, he is the de facto leader of the offensive line. Much like the quarterback, the center must know what everybody is doing. He must rally the line when things are going wrong. He must be the leader of the group.

Per his NFL.com scouting report, one NFC west scout stated about Elflein:

"You are getting a guy who will be great for your locker room and will get the rest of the offensive line on board. I think he could have the same fast impact on a team’s running game that Zach Martin had in Dallas. Safe draft pick to me.You are getting a guy who will be great for your locker room and will get the rest of the offensive line on board. I think he could have the same fast impact on a team’s running game that Zach Martin had in Dallas. Safe draft pick to me."

Elflein has all the character qualities a team would need for a center. He must become quicker with his hands and better recognize blitzes to succeed at the NFL.