10 starting center options for Cincinnati Bengals in 2022

Cincinnati Bengals Starting Center Options through the draft

Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)

The best center prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft is Tyler Linderbaum out of Iowa. With him being the best prospect at his position, he’s going to be hard for the Bengals to land, especially with the team likely not having a top 10 pick for the first time in several years.

Linderbaum initially attended Iowa with the intent to play on the defensive line but he eventually found his way into the starting center role where he’s excelled. He’d be the ideal candidate for Cincinnati but actually selecting him in the draft will be difficult.

Alec Lindstrom (Boston College)

Left-handed center Alec Lindstrom comes from a football family, as his brother, Chris Lindstrom, was a former first-round pick by the Falcons. Lindstrom is a more realistic prospect the Bengals could probably add in the draft, as he’s currently projected to go somewhere around the third round.

Jarrett Patterson (Notre Dame)

At 6’5″ and 305 pounds, Jarrett Patterson is a tough man to move on the offensive line. The Fighting Irish center should be available on Day 2 of the draft and while he played center at Notre Dame, Pro Football Network wouldn’t be surprised to see him move to another position on the o-line. The Bengals would ideally like him at center but versatility is nothing to scoff at, so that’s another positive aspect of Patterson’s game.

Ricky Stromberg (Arkansas) 

Now we’re getting to more of the project center prospects and while Cincinnati would prefer to have someone who can step in and be the starting center from day one, as I mentioned earlier, Hopkins is under contract for another season. Having someone sit and learn in year one while Hopkins play the position for one more year isn’t a terrible idea.

Ricky Stromberg is only a junior so he might opt to return to Arkansas for one more season but if he does declare, he could be an early selection on Day 3. He’s someone to keep an eye on for sure.

Dawson Deaton (Texas Tech)

One of the biggest knocks on Dawson Deaton and why the Red Raider center would need at least a year of mentoring is that Texas Tech is a pass-heavy scheme. He’d certainly need more reps in run blocking and is definitely a project prospect but he’s someone who, in the right situation, could thrive.