NFL draft profile: Alabama C Ryan Kelly, safest pick in the draft?

Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.

35. Alabama C Ryan Kelly
6-foot-4, 311 pounds

Key stat: Committed one penalty in his past 23 games, a stretch of more than 1,500 snaps. Kelly also didn’t allow a sack in 15 games, including playoffs, in the 2015 season.

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The skinny: Blue-collar leader who took over for decorated Crimson Tide center Barrett Jones and elevated the play at the position in some respects, despite being slowed down by two separate MCL injuries in 2013 and again in 2014. Kelly handled all the line calls, challenged teammates to get better and helped steady an offense that occasionally was plagued by up-and-down QB play. His experience in big games against SEC competition and in playoff contest the past two years are considered big plusses. Kelly had a solid workout at the combine and at his pro day, but what wowed scouts was his nearly 80-inch wingspan, which has led some teams to believe he could be a five-position player on the offensive line if needed.

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Best-suited destination: There aren’t many teams for which Kelly would not be an asset, and he’s the type of player who could fit in a veteran, businesslike locker room such as that of the New England Patriots or go to an up-and-coming team such as the Jacksonville Jaguars or Tampa Bay Buccaneers and emerge as a rookie leader right away and help the growth of a young quarterback immensely. The Rimington Award winner could fit in a man- or zone-blocking scheme and play center, guard or perhaps even tackle.

Reason he’ll rise in draft: The combination of smarts, toughness, experience and versatility makes Kelly one of the safer picks in the draft. Teams will know exactly what they’re getting, and finding centers with those traits has proven to be difficult the past few years.

Reason he’ll fall in draft: How high do you take a center who might not be the most athleticially blessed player? Quicker players have given Kelly a bit of trouble, and he struggled to handle Clemson’s bulky nose tackle D.J. Reader, a fringe NFL prospect, in the national title game. A history of knee problems (Kelly also had a torn ACL, LCL in high school) could get the medical folks a little yippy. Kelly might have showed up at the combine at 311 pounds, but scouts note that he was playing in the 290-300 range most of last season.

Scouting hot take: “One of the easier write-ups I did this year. He’s just a quality center. They asked him to be a little stronger in the run game before last season and it showed. Nick [Saban] breeds tough guys down there. Guys knock [Kelly] for not being a great athlete, but he tested better than Max Unger and John Sullivan. I love the guy.” — NFC area scout

Player comp: Travis Frederick

Expected draft range: Second round

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