Next up on our 2023 NFL draft scouting report series is the All-American center out of Minnesota, John Michael Schmitz.
JMS is one of the most talented and productive centers in this entire draft class. I currently have him as one of the top interior prospects, and I am certainly not alone.
According to Pro Football Focus, Michael Schmitz has finished each of the last two seasons as a top-three center in all of college football.
I certainly agree when it comes to his tape. He received 17 points out of a possible 20 when it came to my film grade for him.
The Illinois native enters the league as one of the most experienced prospects as well, starting a total of 35 games since the start of 2020.
This article is going to provide an educated opinion on the pros and cons of possibly selecting a center with a top-50 pick.
Before we get started, a quick reminder that, unless noted otherwise, all of the grades and individual rankings that are included are my own opinions.
The former Gopher is one of the most highly-touted centers in the draft, so let’s find out why.
Measurables
- Height: 6’3 ½
- Weight: 301 pounds
- Hand size: 9 ½ “
- Arm length: 32 5/8”
- 10 yard-split: 1.85
- Relative Athletic Score: 7.84
College Accolades
- First-Team All-American (2022)
- First-Team All-Big 10 (2022)
- Second-Team All-Big 10 (2021)
2022 Stats
- Pass-block snaps: 302
- Run-block Snaps: 465
- Hurries allowed: Five
- QB hits allowed: One
- Sacks allowed: Two
Grades, Projections and Rankings
- Overall grade: 79.7 (second round)
- Ceiling projection: Late first
- Floor projection: Early third
- Position rank: No. 3
- Consensus rank: No. 2
Reasons to Buy in
- Cerebral presence in the middle of the line who is capable of making all the calls to get the entire unit in position to succeed.
- Fluid mover in space who has the type of lateral quickness to perform cut-off and reach blocks at a high level.
- Plays with proper balance and easily washes defenders out of the picture.
- Advanced hand usage that is powerful, accurate, and well-timed.
- Strong anchor in pass protection that can absorb contact without completely collapsing the pocket.
- Consistent with his technique and footwork, which helps to make up for some of his physical limitations — establishes a wide and strong base
- Does a good job of rapidly reading and reacting to twists and stunts.
Areas of Concern
- Average athleticism that could limit his overall ceiling.
- Lacks the ideal length and could get exposed by longer defenders who can naturally gain leverage on him.
- Needs to do a better job of taking better angles when climbing to the second level of the defense and when working in space.
- Has a bad habit of occasionally over-extending himself during his pass sets, often resulting in unbalanced lunges that will be taken advantage in the NFL.
- Doesn’t have the type of range to make every block on the move.
- Lacks the type of power that can displace defenders at the point of attack.
- Must lower his pad level upon contact — tends to play tall and makes it harder for himself to gain leverage
- Will be nearly 25 years old by the end of his rookie year.
Fit with the Titans
Michael Schmitz is the top center prospect.
The Minnesota product would be a fantastic addition to Tennessee’s zone-blocking scheme that will undoubtedly utilize his fluid movement skills to the fullest.
JMS is arguably the most natural interior lineman when it comes to accomplishing reach blocks or anything that allows him to move laterally.
He also plays with the type of tenacity that tries to embarrass the opposition on any given snap.
More importantly, Schmitz is one of the smartest and technically-sound centers in this Draft class, both of which usually tend to translate to the next level.
You constantly see the All-American lineman making calls to the rest of his unit to get his guys in the best position to succeed. He’s also savvy enough to recognize how the defense is trying to attack him, rarely falling for stunts and twists.
Truthfully, the Minnesota product could play guard if needed, but he is so cerebral that putting him anywhere other than center would probably be a waste.
From a technique standpoint, everything from his fluid footwork, wide base, powerful hand usage and impressive contact balance is highly advanced for a college prospect.
Those types of things allow him to be a force in pass protection, as well. The former Golden Gopher is a strong anchor in the middle of your offensive line who is capable of absorbing contact without falling into the quarterback’s lap.
Over his last 801 pass-blocking snaps, Schmitz has only allowed three quarterback hits and two sacks over that span (since 2020).
If the Titans drafted the Minnesota legend, it’s hard to imagine him being the one to kick to guard. Therefore, I could see a scenario where Aaron Brewer goes back to left guard while Schmitz plugs into his natural spot.
Say what you want about Brewer, but those two together could make an exciting interior tandem in a zone-blocking scheme.
Barring a trade back into the end of the first round, I don’t see any scenario where the Titans consider him in Round 1. However, you’d have to imagine his name will be amongst those that are getting debated in the war room if he’s still there when Tennessee picks on Day 2.
Check out more scouting reports from Shaun Calderon!
