Cleveland Browns Comprehensive NFL Draft Review: Luke Wypler, C Ohio State

The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their draft by selecting Luke Wypler, center out of Ohio State. The Buckeye pivot has a ton of talent, but might need a year or two to realize it.

With their final pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected their second offensive lineman from Ohio State, center Luke Wypler.

Wypler started every game the past two seasons. In 965 pass protecting snaps, he surrendered just one sack and one quarterback hit according to PFF. He yielded 14 pressures.

Athletic Profile

Wypler is a terrific athlete for the center position. His agility and balance stand out the most, but he also possesses good speed, tying for the fastest 10-yard split in the class. His explosion is also more than adequate.

His arm length isn't ideal for the position, but is one of a few reasons he's not really suited to play anywhere other than center.

Wypler celebrated his 22nd birthday the week after the draft, but he's in great shape there by offensive line standards.

Unfortunately, there is no position in football where athletic ability has less predictive value for NFL success than center. However, it's important for the style of football the Browns want to play and increases the ways they can utilize him within their offense.

Jim Cobern @Jimetrics

Game Tape

Wypler's an easy mover and the Buckeyes take advantage of it in multiple ways. Quick off the snap, Wypler has no problem reaching or getting to the second level. There are a few examples where he's too fast and ends up overrunning his target. Whether it's on screens, pulls or getting to the second level, Wypler shows excellent body control in space and is confident hitting moving targets.

Ohio State utilized Wypler on pulls in the running game to great effect. It really stands out against Michigan when Wypler is able to get outside of his right guard who is reaching a defender to the right.  Wypler is still able to get through and make a key block to spring a big run. It didn't happen often but they also used him to pull in pass protection.

He's effortless in mirroring and excels against opponents who try to beat him with speed or agility. Wypler is rarely stressed, always under control and consistently has his a good base with his feet under him.

Wypler's sawed off and it can occasionally impact his ability to make blocks at the second level. He tries to hit linebackers and can occasionally lose them. His angles can be a little hit or miss, but at the college level.

The problem Wypler runs into has to do with his strength. Wypler is inconsistent at being able to hold the point of attack or generate push in the running game. He largely wins with positioning and technique, occasionally able to simply overpower the opponent.

While this popped up against other opponents, it was apparent against both Michigan and Georgia. Mazi Smith was able to rag doll Wypler a few times and Georgia was the one team that was able to get him off balance and stress him in pass protection; a preview of what's to come in the NFL.

Pass protection is when Wypler is at his most vulnerable against power. He will attempt to redirect a pass rush and so he can carry the rusher laterally, giving the quarterback the ability to avoid it and step up in the pocket. But when he has to anchor and gets backed up, it muddies the pocket and had the quarterback look to roll out of the pocket.

Wypler is extremely well prepared for opponents. He's never caught off guard by how opponents are attacking him, able to diagnose blitzes and put his teammates in position to succeed. When Ohio State gives up a run through or a free rusher, it's almost always a result of a numbers advantage.

Additionally, Wypler shines at being able to adjust on the fly when opponents utilize stunts. Even when an opponent loops all the way around, Wypler will follow and contend the rush, something that came up in their playoff game. 

© Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Fit, Usage and Projection

In terms of preparation, awareness and athleticism, Wypler is everything the Browns could want in a center. Wypler thrives as a zone center. He allows for the possibility of executing some concepts that current starting center Ethan Pocic cannot and would a return to what they had at their disposal with J.C. Tretter. That includes the ability to pull in the running game and easily moving the pocket in pass protection.

Wypler is advanced in his knowledge of the game, how opponents can attack the protection and having the answers to compensate. While there will be some changes in language and some of the schemes employed, that shouldn't be a limiting factor in getting Wypler on the field.

The issue Wypler will have to improve is his functional strength. He needs to get stronger both in his core as well as being able to engage his hips a a blocker to make up the difference the interior defensive linemen he will face. That would allow him to make a bigger impact in gap concepts and hold up against some of the more powerful interior threats in the NFL.

His lack of power and length is the reason that Wypler is a center only, which limits what he can do in a backup role. That helps to explain why he was available in the sixth round. That still feels low given the amount of talent he has.

If Wypler can improve his strength over the next season or few, he could easily become a long-term starter. Yes, he has the potential to be a multiple Pro Bowler and All-Pro, but that's incredibly difficult to achieve at that position as illustrated by J.C. Tretter, who was one of the better centers in football and never earned either.