John Michael Schmitz Moves Into The First Round

John Michael Schmitz is this year’s first-round center.

Last year it was Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum.

That was then, and this is now.

Help Wanted: Centers

Selecting a center is certainly not the sexiest move a team can make on day one, and it will not cause the season ticket phone bank to light up.

However, if a team is looking for a guy to anchor down their offensive line for the next decade, John Michael Schmitz is it.

Center is arguably the third most important position outside of quarterback and cornerback. Centers make all the offensive line calls and set the protections.

Nobody taught me about the importance of centers more than Hall of Fame Coach Bill Parcells, who hired me on his staff in pro scouting with the Jets.

One of the first things Parcells did when he took over with the Jets was sign free agent center Kevin Mawae, who is also now in the Hall of Fame.

I didn’t understand it at the time as a youngster in the league, but looking back it makes total sense.

Having a good center is like laying the foundation for a house.

What’s the big deal about John Michael Schmitz?

He’s about as textbook as I’ve seen.

John Michael Schmitz is a classic technician who combines excellent hand usage with brute weight-room strength, effort and aggression to get the job done a high percentage of the time.

He did not allow one sack in the game film I watched.

Is he a draft day secret?

He is flying under the radar, but I would not call him a secret. Nobody is a secret who has goes by three of his names, and everywhere I look, that is how everybody refers to him.

John Michael Schmitz is not getting the play Linderbaum got last year, but for my money he is this year’s Linderbaum.

That’s not what I think. That’s what the game film shows.

We see the difference Linderbaum has made with the Ravens. Entering week 11, Linderbaum led all NFL centers in run blocking win rate.

Through week 11 this year in college football, Pro Football Focus had John Michael Schmitz as the highest offensive lineman grade in the country (92.1).

While John Michael Schmitz hasn’t gotten much love from a lot of NFL Draft platforms yet, TWSN, The Draft Network, Pro Football Network and Chat Sports all have put first-round grades on this sixth-year senior from the Golden Gophers.

Now, he is getting an early electronic Valentine’s Day Card from First Round Mock.

Mr. Pancake

We’ve all heard of Mr. Potato Head as kids. Now, it’s time to meet Mr. Pancake.

That’s my nickname for John Michael Schmitz.

There’s nothing I like more than offensive linemen who finish blocks by driving defenders into the turf, and there were plenty of times he did that in my notes.

This guy gets after it, and it’s guys like this who move the meter.

#60 John Michael Schmitz 6-foot-4, 320 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First Round – Winter 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 9.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 11, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Nebraska, Ohio State and West Virginia (left West Virginia game early – click to view games watched to form this evaluation).

Level of competition: High

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Stout, strong, smart, active and super aggressive center who is highly effective in pass protection and run blocking. Snapped in shotgun offense. Good velocity and placement. Set up quickly and showed iron anchor to hunker down one-on-one or assisted effectively in combo blocks. Withstands bull rushes. Excellent technique, hand usage and placement. Has a mean and nasty streak. Handled most stunts and blitzes. Won most reps, but got turned sideways twice vs. Ohio State. Smart – showed awareness several times did not to get called for illegal man downfield by looking back to see where his quarterback was. Fanny kicking run blocker. Super strong and intentional at the point. Gets movement or pile drives with leverage. Road paver by the goal line. Good athleticism and speed to get to the second level. At best his guy gets in the pile or ends up by it. A team can win with him.

Bottom line:

John Michael Schmitz has what it takes.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.