New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Targets: Billy Price

The 2018 NFL Draft is a perfect time for the Jets to rebuild their offensive line, and Billy Price is the center they need.

In 2006, the New York Jets needed to build their offensive line through the NFL Draft. In that draft they had two first round picks, and they used both of the on offensive linemen. Those two offensive linemen were a part of two playoff teams and two good offensive linemen.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson went to three Pro Bowls, and Nick Mangold was a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro and a one-time Second Team All-Pro member. They led the way for LaDainian Tomlinson on the way to consecutive AFC Championship Games.

Billy Price is the best center in college football. He won the Rimington Award as the nation’s most outstanding center and he was one of two offensive linemen to be a unanimous All-American among the five major outlets that vote for the All-America team (the other was Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson).

While he doesn’t show the same athleticism of some of the top centers in the NFL, like the Pouncey brothers, he does have enough to be a good NFL center. He makes up for what some see as a lack of athleticism with intelligence and awareness.

What sets him apart in his one-on-one ability against bigger nose tackles. It’s very rare, and with more and more teams switching to an odd front, that skill is becoming more and more vital.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: QBs declare, rule first round

Grade: Round 1-2 pick

The center is the most important position on the offensive line. He makes all the offensive line calls, and he has to be the smartest player on the line. Price has a good combination of skills and intelligence to be a productive center in the NFL for a long time. It took a season, but the Jets have finally found their guy that can replace Nick Mangold.