Luke

Bowanko

Bowanko had a limited role in Baltimore last year, playing just 90 snaps on the interior. He’s an injury-prone depth signing for the Patriots. Bowanko can back up at multiple spots.

Bowanko is recovering from offseason hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. He made 14 starts as a 2014 rookie but was relegated to backup duties in 2015.

The Ravens have picked up both Bowanko and fellow G/C Tony Bergstrom in trades the past 24 hours, while cutting last year’s starting C Jeremy Zuttah. Baltimore clearly is trying to find suitable bodies on the interior.

Stefen Wisniewski is still recovering from labrum surgery and may not be ready until training camp. Bowanko struggled as a rookie last season, receiving a negative grade in pass blocking from Pro Football Focus. Neither player has the starting job locked up. Beat writer Ryan O’Halloran suggested Jacksonville could make a push for Pro Bowler Alex Mack when he opts out of his contract next offseason.

Although Bowanko was announced as a center during the draft, he played all along the interior at UVA, and has tackle length at 6-foot-5 1/2, 302 with 34 1/2-inch arms. He doesn’t look like a center, at all. We suspect Bowanko will max out as a utility “swing” reserve who’s stretched too thin as a starter.

Bowanko was a three-year college starter, seeing extended time at right guard, left guard, and center. The Jaguars showed interest during the process despite Bowanko being snubbed from major all-star games. He could be a swing reserve interior offensive lineman.

He has the edge on incumbent Luke Bowanko. Wisniewski was the first-team center at the Jags’ first shoulder-padded practice, and again for their first practice in full pads. The 26-year-old underwent shoulder surgery late last season but it hasn’t been an issue at camp. Wisniewski finished with PFF’s 22nd highest center grade out of 41 qualifiers in 2014.

Wisniewski is battling Luke Bowanko for the starting job. Bowanko started the preseason opener, and coach Gus Bradley said the pair could share snaps with the first team in the third preseason game. If he is healthy following shoulder surgery late last year, Wisniewski should win the job.

The Raiders’ starter each of the past four years, Wisniewski has beaten out 2014 fifth-rounder Luke Bowanko. Wisniewski has 61 games of starting experience, and was always likely to get the nod. That being said, he was more effective in 2013 than 2014.

Bowanko is competing with free-agent addition Stefan Wisniewski for the starting center job. A sixth-round pick last year, Bowanko mostly struggled in 14 starts for the Jaguars as a rookie. If healthy, Wisniewski should be able to win the job.