Yet another top prospect has announced his decision to turn pro. Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum, the undisputed top interior offensive linemen in the country, has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Linderbaum tweeted a statement which reads in part, “these last four years have been nothing short of amazing… I will be forever thankful for all the love and support I have received over the last four years and truly could not imagine my time anywhere else… The lifelong friendships I have made are ones that I will cherish forever. To my coaches… thank you for pushing me to be a great football player, but an even better man“.
Linderbaum was originally a defensive linemen, but quickly switched to the offensive side of the ball not long after his arrival. That decision certainly paid off, as he was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy – given to the nation’s top center – in 2020. He lost out to Alabama’s Landon Dickerson that year, but did one better in 2021, becoming the first Hawkeye to ever win the award. He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the top interior linemen on either side of the ball, although that honor went to Georgia’s Jordan Davis.
With an utterly dominant 2021 season, Linderbaum earned a 95.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest of any o-linemen in the country. He helped lead the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten Championship game, and was a valued leader on an otherwise inexperienced line, allowing just one sack all season. In a draft dominated by defensive players and offensive tackles at the top, Linderbaum won’t have to wait long to hear his name called, as he is seen by many as a potential top-ten pick.
Top 10 lock
I’m confident he’ll be a great center, but it’s still hard to stomach taking a center top 10.
I don’t know, for a team that needs an interior lineman badly (like, say, the Steelers), he’d be a great pick. I thought that Pittsburgh should have taken Creed Humphrey last year, but Linderbaum looks like a knockout prospect.
I mean, that would be a better value than taking a running back in the first round, but interior lineman just isn’t as high a value, so if you think one of the tackles or cornerbacks available, for instance, is as likely to be very good as Linderbaum is to be great, that probably helps the team more.
You’re not wrong about the positional value, but pound for pound, I’d rank Linderbaum personally as more valuable as an individual player than many of the available players. The Steelers won’t be picking in the top ten, so for a team like them in the middle of the first to late first, I think that it’s be a great pick. For a team in the top ten, I’d be on board if they have a need along the interior. The Giants and Jets each have two picks in the top ten, and Linderbaum wouldn’t be a bad pick for them, especially depending on who all is available.
I’m certainly with you on the Steelers. As a Jets fan, I’m not so sure. If one of the top three corners or tackles, or even Dean, is available at 10, I think Linderbaum might lose out just on positional value. (Even though as a Jets fan, I’d love to get back to the Mawae or Mangold days of not having to worry about center.)
He can play guard at a pro bowl level too
I’d have a hard time taking a guard in the first half of the first round, too.
Most of us would, by traditional means of thinking, but I think Linderbaum would be a solid second pick for your Jets. There are a few directions they could go, but I just think that he’s got the potential to be a franchise center for someone. It certainly would take pressure off Wilson in having a reliable run game. That’s just my opinion though, thanks for the discussion, it was good.
Hoping he falls to the Steelers. He can keep his Iowa uniform, then.
Hope he falls to the Vikings at #12 JUST what they need to clean up that crappy OLIne!!!!
THIS time spending a high pick on an offensive lineman will fix the Vikings! Meanwhile, they have no cornerbacks and their best safety is 33.
Texans need to start rebuilding their offensive line right here. Take him at 3.
lol
Giants at #7
A center in the top 10 seems crazy but he is insanely talented. If he does fall out of the top ten there is NO WAY he gets out of the top 20.
Linderbaum’s from the same small Iowa town as my college buddy, it’s been really cool to see his rise to greatness. I know my friend would love to see the Vikes snag him at #12.
A lot of people balking at the idea of taking a center so high don’t realize how good this guy js . Probably the best prospect at the position ever . If you let’s say knew for a fact he would go down as one of the best centers of all time how high would be justifiable ?
I dont see him getting passed the giants at 7 if he’s still available then the giants should tame him along with an edge rusher or Neal at 4 assuming he’s there .
Giants pick 5 and 7. Agreed, don’t see Linderbaum getting passed them. Neal I could see going top 4. But there are other OL or edge they can grab.