NFL Draft 2021: Top 6 LA Rams prospects from the Big Ten

Offensive center

The next prospect we need to look at from the Big Ten is Penn State University offensive center Michal Menet (6.16-grade per NFL.com)

This 6-foot-4, 306 pounder was a three-year starting center and anchor for the Nittany Lions’ offense. The scouts say he might find a better fit as a guard at the NFL level, so here’s another player sporting positional versatility.

He was a two-time captain in Happy Valley and was named to the All-Big Ten third-team in 2020. He basically quarterbacked their offensive line.  Team captains exhibit football IQ, leadership and maturity, all qualities the Rams value in a pick.

He’s a quick and athletic center/guard and he’d be nice fit in the sort of zone blocking schemes the Rams have employed in the past. And his expertise is sorely lacking on the Rams roster right now, as the team definitely needs an offensive center.

Menet may not have the same name recognition as some of the other centers most often mentioned in this particular draft, but that’s never deterred the Rams from a pick in the past. The scouts say his overall game is consistent in both run blocking and pass protection.

And the Rams have a particularly acute need for a quick, athletic center. He could be a nice depth piece for the Rams to explore. Developed quickly enough, he could even be the 2021 starting center.