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Atlanta Falcons: 5 centers to consider drafting

By John Buhler

Sep 26, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Jack Allen (66) gestures to the Central Michigan Chippewas during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Jack Allen (66) gestures to the Central Michigan Chippewas during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Austin Blythe (63) is double teamed by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Byerson Cockrell (28) and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Greg McMullen (90) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Iowa beat Nebraska 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Austin Blythe (63) is double teamed by Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Byerson Cockrell (28) and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Greg McMullen (90) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Iowa beat Nebraska 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Austin Blythe was the starting center for the 2015 Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that went 12-2 en route to a Big Ten West Division title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Iowa is a national powerhouse in terms of recruiting and developing offensive line talent.

The Hawkeyes’ success in 2015 will certainly help their former senior players get drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft. Though Blythe projects as a late day three selection, he could help the Atlanta Falcons if he is available in the seventh round if the Falcons haven’t already selected a center in the Draft.

Blythe is a former high school wrestler that uses his hands well in pass protection. While he is an undersized center at 6’2″, 291 pounds, he could fit in very nicely in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme.

If he interview well with the Falcons and offensive line coach Chris Morgan thinks that he can help the team in 2016 at center, then the Atlanta Falcons may end up using its seventh round draft selection on Austin Blythe out of Iowa.

Keep in mind that the guy that the Falcons are trying desperately to replace up front is a former seventh-round pick himself. Todd McClure was a seventh round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2000 NFL Draft out of LSU.

Next: 4. Evan Boehm, Missouri Tigers

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