Boehm has starter qualities and center is a need for the Cardinals. He's a lunch pail hog with the intangibles you want from the leader of your offensive line. This is a good value for a future starter.
--Mark Dulgerian
6'2" Height
31 5/8" Arm Length
309LBS. Weight
10 1/4" Hands
Overview
One of the top offensive line recruits in the country coming out of high school, Boehm stepped right onto the field for the Tigers in 2012 -- and hasnt left the lineup since. He started 52 straight games for head coach Gary Pinkel, playing freshman year at left guard and then three straight years in the pivot. Boehm is a thick interior lineman who has a strong anchor and can move his feet well for the position, portending a long NFL career.
Analysis
Strengths
Iron man. Holds school record for consecutive starts. Suffered high-ankle sprain in the first game of the year, but was right back on the field the next game. Rare power from a center. Phone booth champ. Able to consistently generate push at initial point of attack and take control of the neutral zone. Runs his feet under him at contact and drives the sled while staying glued to his man. Tough and smart. Quickly processes double A-gap looks and responds successfully. Has power to redirect when beaten on the edge. Owns the A-gap versus blitzes and stunts. Keeps head from ducking in on pass sets and will punch and reset hands, when needed, to maintain positioning. Comes from a football family and father was a highly successful high school coach. Rarely bull-rushed. Looks for work when hes uncovered against pass rush.
Weaknesses
Squatty frame with short legs. Doesn't have the height or arm length that many teams require from draftable centers inside the first four rounds. Much better straight line mover than laterally. Gets straight-legged on second level and when engaging laterally creating inconsistent contact balance. Reliant on upper body strength over lower body movement which could make securing reach blocks a challenge on the NFL level. Has physical limitations outside his compact frame. While he has some post-snap athleticism in short spaces, his restricted stride length slows him when asked to get out in space.
Draft Projection
Rounds 4 or 5
Sources Tell Us
"He's tough as nails. He'll play with pain and he's the kind of guy who can command a locker room. I always look for talent first, but leadership might be just as important from your center and he has that." -- NFC West executive
NFL Comparison
Corey Linsley
Bottom Line
Four-year starter with outstanding power at the point of attack with an ability to create running lanes through sheer brute force. Boehms squatty frame may cause some evaluators to hesitate, but offensive line coaches will fall in love with his instincts, power, leadership and durability. Boehm has a chance to be an early starter for a team looking for power and leadership in the middle of their line.
