Elimination Game – Center

Here’s an early look at the Centers in the 2026 NFL Draft, with their current rank on my BuffaloFAMBase Big Board:

Let’s look at size. The Bills prefer their OL starters to be 6-4 or taller, and in the 306-to-320 weight range:

Doyle= 6-8, 320, 5.12
VanDemark= 6-7, 307, 5.27
McGovern= 6-5, 308, 5.19
Torrence=6-5, 330, 5.31
Brown=6-5, 315, 5.42
Dawkins=6-4, 314, 5.11
Bates= 6-4, 306, 5.09

Let’s eliminate those who fall short of that archetype. That removes 6’2″ Parker Brailsford and Iapani Laloulu, as well as a whole bunch of lightweights.

Here’s who’s left:

Jake Slaughter and Bryce Foster are draftables who fit the size archetype. Are the Bills scouting any of these guys? Coincidentally, Jake Slaughter at 6-5, 308, 5.20 has the highest Scout Score among current starters at Center AND has virtually the same Ht-Wt-40 as Connor McGovern.

The Bills have less to do with Big12 prospects of late (only Tylan Grable and Terrell Bernard since 2021), and Kansas had no credentialed Bills scouts in 2024, but Bryce Foster should get a look this year. Evan Tengesdahl was a HS wrestler, dominant throughout his high school career going a combined 26-6 including an undefeated 10-0 record as a junior.

One other name to keep an eye on is D.J. Chester of LSU, who I have as a Left Guard who has Center experience. The DL Coach at LSU is Kyle Williams, and Bills coaches DJ Mangas and Joe Brady have connections at LSU.

Best Bet: Jake Slaughter.
Day 3 Value: Bryce Foster or D.J. Chester
Best UDFA: Evan Tengesdahl.

Editor’s babble: I’m getting my pencil sharpened because Dean is already cooking with prospects. Many thanks to Dean for his many contributions to our blog. You can also find Dean on Xwitter @TCBILLS_Astro.