Position Breakdown: Center

1.  Marcus Martin (JR) 6'3 320 USC
Analysis: Large powerful blocker who can move defenders in the run game.  Good pass blocker with good punch and lateral agility.  Better in a phone booth than space. Inconsistent pad level.
Projection:  Day 2

2.  Weston Richburg (SR) 6'3 298 Colorado State
Analysis: Above average athlete. Does well in space. Not going to overpower anybody. Uses leverage and technique to open holes. Fits best in a zone scheme. Needs to get stronger.
Projection: Day 2

3.  Gabe Ikard (SR) 6'4 304 Oklahoma
Projection: 4th or 5th Round

4.  Russell Bodine (JR) 6'3 310 North Carolina
Projection: Day 3

5.  Travis Swanson (SR) 6'5 312 Arkansas
Projection: 6th or 7th Round

6.  Tyler Larsen (SR) 6'4 313 Utah State
Projection: 6th or 7th Round

7.  Brian Stork (SR) 6'4 315 Florida State
Projection: 6th or 7th Round

8.  James Stone (SR) 6'4 306 Tennessee
Projection: Undrafted

9.  Jonathan Harrison (SR) 6'3 304 Florida
Projection: Undrafted

10. Matt Paradis (SR) 6'3 306 Boise State
Projection:  Undrafted

Player Profile: Marcus Martin

Height:  6'3
Weight:  318
School:  USC
Position:  Center
Ranking:  #1 Center
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Experienced.  33 career starts. 1st true freshman to start at Guard in USC History
-Ideal size to handle the massive NT in a 3-4 defense
-Long arms (34") make it easier to keep defenders off his body and out of the backfield.
-Understands how to use his large body as a shield to protect the pocket
-Shows good power while run blocking.  Able to move a defender off the spot.
-Uses power and strength to jolt defenders when making first contact. Will smack you in the face
-Will use size to overwhelm smaller defenders.
-Does a good job of quickly setting up in pass protection
-Strong heavy punch to neutralize a defender.
-Enough lateral agility to help him slide in pass protection
-Strong anchor.  Able to sink hips and reset
-Has experience playing both center and guard
-Displays a nasty streak that you love in a lineman
-Leader. Voted team captain

Weaknesses
-Not a great athlete. Times would have been worst at combine for a center
-Struggles to block in space and whiff on blocks
-Below average strength.  Put up only 23 reps at the Combine
-Struggles to maintain blocks.  Will let a defender get past his initial block
-Inconsistent pad level.  Will get too high
-Only played Center for one season
-Still recovering from knee injury at the end of the season

Summary
After starting two years at guard and having success, Marcus Martin slide over to center as a junior and flourished. Martin uses his size and strength in the run game to physically dominant defenders.  Whether it is using his size to overwhelm smaller defenders, or using his power to move nose tackles off their spot. Against Notre Dame, Martin was able to move the massive Louis Nix and even pancaked him on at the goal line.  The times Martin struggles in the run game is when he doesn't get good leverage and stalls out or has to block in space.  Martin is much better blocking in a phone booth than having to go in space.  For as good in the run game, Martin is even better as a pass blocker.  Martin uses his long arms and strong punch to keep defenders back.  He doesn't have great agility, but he's got enough lateral agility to stay in front of defenders.  Martin also had a great anchor that allows him to withstand a bull rush even against a strong Louis Nix. The biggest downfall is Martin isn't a very good athlete.  He doesn't move well in space and will never be asked to pull.  When in space he struggles and will miss blocks.  This means that he won't fit every team and is only going to do well in a man blocking scheme.  Look for Martin to go at the end of the second round or in the third.  A team like Indianapolis who wants a power running game is a logical spot, but don't count out the Ravens or Giants.