Peter

Konz

Unwilling to go over $5 million annually on Scott Wells, Thompson could lose his center to the Rams or Titans in free agency. Konz is an option with the 28th pick, but the Packers will have to hope he gets past the Bears (19) and Titans (20).

The consensus top center in the draft, Konz lacks upper-body strength, has durability concerns, and is tall for the position. On the positive side, the second-team All-American is a master technician and viewed by at least one scout as a “genius” when drawing up plays on the white board. Joe Hawley, a 2010 fourth-rounder, fell flat when filling in for 35-year-old Todd McClure last year. Konz could beat out the underwhelming Garrett Johnson at right guard this season before switching to the pivot once McClure retires.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is Konz can play both guard and center,” Dimitroff said. “We have him listed as a guard-center.” This lends credence to the notion that Konz will play right guard as a rookie before eventually taking over for 35-year-old C Todd McClure. McClure isn’t signed beyond 2012.

He checked out medically with Atlanta, though, and the Falcons plan to use Konz at right guard while grooming him as their center of the future. “Everything checked out fine,” GM Thomas Dimitroff said of Konz’s medical. “The blood clots were an anomaly. ... He’s cleared up very well. He’s a durable guy.”

Konz caught some draftnik flak for just 18 strength reps in Indy, but eased some of that concern with a better showing at his Pro Day. Konz says he’s “90 percent” recovered from the dislocated ankle that cut his 2011 season short. He projects as a late first-round or early second-round draft pick.

Konz was a visitor at Ravens headquarters, and they kept tabs on him from January through late April. SI’s Tony Pauline has reported that Konz will be the Ravens’ primary fallback option if Boise State LB Shea McClellin isn’t available at the 29th pick. Konz would likely start at left guard in Baltimore.

Konz will compete for Atlanta’s starting right guard job as a rookie, but he projects as C Todd McClure’s successor in the long term. In order to excel as a run blocker in the Falcons’ power-blocking scheme, Konz will have to improve his strength. While he should pass block effectively at 6'5/314 with 33-inch arms, Konz’s upper body has lots of room for improvement.

Konz has relatively long arms (33 inches) for an interior-lineman only, but the 18 reps were disappointing. Strength was supposedly a strong point in his game. Konz did not run the forty or perform jumps or agility drills for unspecified reasons. Earlier in the week, Konz measured in at 6-foot-5 1/8 and 314 pounds.

“Hell of a football player,” the scout said. “Oh, my God, he’s a genius on the board. Genius. We put him on the board and he blew it away. Great kid.” While there are concerns over Konz’s height (6'5") and strength, Bucs GM Mark Dominik compares him to six-time Pro Bowler Matt Birk. Rotoworld’s Evan Silva projects Konz to the Patriots with the No. 31 overall pick.

Konz estimated his ankle, which held him out of three games last season, is at 90 percent. After declaring early, Konz is widely considered the draft’s top center but with his length (33-inch arms, 6'5/314) some teams could project him at guard. Konz will hold a personal Pro Day in April.