Josh Myers - C - Ohio State - Round 2 - Pick 30

[BF004]

There it is.

[NCF]

A likely starter I would think. Kills the need for musical chairs which I kind of really like.

[go pak go]

Myers has experience playing in multiple run blocking schemes but is at this best opening holes between the tackles. While he isn’t quite a technician, he does have good technique and a solid understanding of how to gain and manipulate leverage as a run blocker, which would serve him well in the Ravens’ run-centric offense.

He is well proportioned at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds with a broad frame and lean physique. His nice build, wide base, and adequate footwork make him match up well against interior defensive linemen.

One of the most important jobs of the center before snapping the ball and executing his blocking responsibilities is assisting the quarterback and his fellow linemen identify pressures and adjust accordingly. Myers has shown the ability to both make calls as a good communicator at the line of scrimmage and process shifts in front sevens that move around pre-snap.

He’s not the best athlete but he does possess some nice lateral movement skills, works well to the second level to take out linebackers, and is always looking for more work. As a pass blocker, he anchors well and knocks defenders off their angle of attack.

One issue in his game is his tendency to sometimes lunge, which throws off his center of gravity, causing him to lose his balance in the process. He also needs to work on sustaining his blocks because mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson will buy more time for his receivers to get open by running around in the backfield.

[Waldo]

I'm glad this means the team wants to keep Jenkins at G.

C seems to be uber safe in the draft. 2nd rd is high for a C, team must really see something in him. Would be really nice to have a young stud center.

[salmar80]

OK, 2nd rounder is pretty high for a center, but considering what Linsley got paid, let's just call bargain replacement.

[paco]

[YoHoChecko]

4. Josh Myers, Ohio State (6-foot-5, 310, no 40, Round 3 or 4):
Played mostly guard in high school (in Miamisburg, Ohio) and in his first two seasons for the Buckeyes before starting all 21 games at center in 2019 and ’20.

“He will be a starter,” one scout said. “The center position is smart, tough, reliable, and he’s all of those things. He’s a solid player across the board. No flash to him, but he’ll be a reliable player.”

Underwent turf toe surgery in January.

“He gets knocked back every once in a while, but all in all, he’s a good prospect,” said another scout. “Loves the game of football. Good with his snaps. He’s got size. He’s a technician. He knows how to turn guys.”

Has short arms (32 inches).

“Very limited,” a third scout said. “Slow. Not flexible at all. Top heavy. Limited-type backup.”

[salmar80]

If you wanna watch some sexy big man action:

[YoHoChecko]

"He moves big people and you can feel him out there"
- Matt Malispina

[paco]

I want solid as a C. Doesn't have to be flashy. Just block the guy/s in front of you and get the ball to the QB. If this guy is anything as good as Linsley became, I'll be a happy man.

[YoHoChecko]

Meyers on a conference call now on packers.com

[YoHoChecko]

He says he fell in love with the center position because of the need to be a leader and make the calls

[paco]

Love this kid just based on his media call. He should be well liked by fans.

[paco]

[Labrev]

It's a bit high for me to like at C.

But for the most part, I am really digging this pick. A lot of experience, so he has a shot to start early and help solidify the OL.

And man, that size at center?? Next to Jenkins? Now THAT is gonna be fun to watch! ^^

[TheSkeptic]

Bak, Runyan, Meyers, Stepaniak, Jenkins with Jones/Dillon in the backfield and 2 TE's and Lazard to block.

Who needs Rodgers when Love can hand off all day long.

[go pak go]

Bak, Runyan, Meyers, Stepaniak, Jenkins with Jones/Dillon in the backfield and 2 TE's and Lazard to block.

Who needs Rodgers when Love can hand off all day long.

It's really not a terrible situation to be in for Jordan Love.

And it's really stupid that Rodgers is willing to pass up this roster and opportunity.

[NCF]

[Chilli]

I'm not overly impressed with his tape vs Indiana. He seems a tick slow with his processing in various situations. In some running plays he is not moving organically and decisively. TBF Indiana put in some heavy pass rush and made life difficult for the OL. There was one moment where a rusher was running right at him and Myers chose to block the player who was already being blocked by a guard leaving the rusher totally free to hit the QB but thankfully Fields maneuvered himself out of the way in time. There was one goalline play where everyone on the OL pushed the DL back except for him. Not great.

I love his size and the power he potentially brings but you can see he's not exactly flexible and is heavy footed. He also seems to be a tick slow in his mental processing just based off the indiana tape.

LaFleur wants OL over 6'5" tall. It's an important part of his zone blocking scheme. The problem is there are fewer players over 6'5" tall than there are under so LaFleur essentially limited himself to a smaller pool of player to choose from and even fewer who are athletic enough and smart enough. That's the downside of only targeting taller OL. Jenkins was the only exception he made in the draft and for a good reason.

Under McCarthy having a player over 6'4" was the oddity and not the norm. Bulaga was the oddity but Bakthari, Sitton, Lang, Linsley, Tretter etc were all under 6'4". He enjoyed a larger pool of OL to choose from therefore there were more OL who has better mobility and smarts available to him. It paid off handsomely and helped created elite offensive lines for the Packers. The reasoning for having shorter OL was to have better mobility and leverage in the trenches especially since Rodgers likes to move around alot.

It's fascinating to seeing different OL philiosphies in action in two different eras. If you look at the Packers OL last year we still had 3 OL under 6'4" (Bakhtiari, Jenkins and Linsley) and they ran that zone blocking scheme superbly. It could've been 4 had Lane Taylor did not get injured. We even gave Patrick a contract extension and he's another one of McCarthy's guys. It's a shame that LaFleur seems determined to get bigger despite the OL successes he had so far, nothing wrong with it but you are limiting yourself in the draft and passing on players who historically we would've given serious consideration.

[YoHoChecko]

Look, I agree that Gutey prefers bigger OL than TT did. It seems to me that we used to want athletic players with good enough size. And now we want big players with good enough athleticism. And maybe what you meant by over 6'5" is actually over 6'4", but the idea that we are limiting our OLinemen to guys over 6'5" is clearly false...

Billy Turner: 6' 4 7/8"
Elkgton Jenkins: 6' 4 1/2"
Jon Runyan Jr: 6' 4 1/4"
Simon Stepaniak: 6' 4 1/8"
Jake Hanson: 6' 4 3/8"
Royce Newman: 6' 5 1/4"
Cole Van Lanen: 6' 4 1/4"
Josh Meyers: 6' 5 1/4"

Only two of these guys are over 6'5". Most even round to 6'4"

I know that's nitpicky, but I really get detailed on the false narrative creep because you wind up saying things like "we're limiting ourslves to only players over 6'5" when 3/4 of our OL are under 6'5" or "we like Corners that are at least 5 11" when 3/4 of our corners are under 5'11". Just doesn't make much sense and creates a bit of confusion and misinformation when trying to identify "fits" with our system moving forward.