Center: Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marpet spent his first two seasons at right guard and is now being asked to kick inside to take over as the center for Joe Hawley. It’s the position he played at Division III Hobart before becoming the highest-selected player ever to come from D-III in 2015 (No. 61 overall).
Now, there’s always the chance that Tampa Bay decides to stick Marpet back at guard — his move to center isn’t official yet. But based on comments made by defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before it’s a done deal.
“I think he’ll be a dominant, like next-level center in my personal opinion,” McCoy said in April, via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. “He’s a small-space guy, and you get him in a small space, you’re in trouble. From here to here is all a center needs, and from here to here, with how athletic he is, he’s got these grippers (where) once he puts his hands on you, you’re in trouble. I truly believe, and you can stamp this and quote it: I believe Ali Marpet will be a dominant — not good — dominant center.”
Marpet has a chance to be to Jameis Winston what Jeff Saturday was to Peyton Manning during their careers with the Indianapolis Colts. They are both young, talented players that appear destined to take the league by storm over the course of the next decade.