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New York Jets: 7-Round 2018 mock draft in late December

By Michael Pallas

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 28: Josh Adams #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Notre Dame Stadium on October 28, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 28: Josh Adams #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Notre Dame Stadium on October 28, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Billy Price 2018 NFL Draft
LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 14: Offensive lineman Billy Price #54 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks over the line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

The last time the Jets drafted a center from Ohio State, he became the staple of the offensive line for 10 seasons, and he didn’t miss a game. Nick Mangold was the best center in the NFL for a long time, and according to Andy Benoit of the New York Times:

"Because of his ability to lock and drive from a standstill position, the Jets are the only team in the NFL that doesn’t have to sacrifice a guard when facing an elite nose tackle."

While the transition from Mangold to Price won’t be as smooth as the transition from Mawae to Mangold was, the Jets will have their center for the next decade. Even though he isn’t the athlete Mangold was, he does have quality athleticism, and what limitations he has makes up for with his awareness.

With more and more teams switching to a three-man front on defense (to combat 11 personnel), you need a center with the ability to handle nose tackles one-on-one. Price can handle quality nose tackles by himself, and that’ll free up the guards to climb to the second level and open up more holes in the running game.

Center is the one of the most important positions on the field. The Jets will now have a quality center for years to come.

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