Dominick Puni vs. Zach Frazier: Identifying Broncos' Best Center Fit
With Lloyd Cushenberry III set to his free agency, the Denver Broncos could be looking for a new center. The Broncos believe in Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg, but neither has shown enough to be handed the job.
The 2024 NFL draft's interior offensive line class is quite good, with plenty of options who can play center. Let's dive into the scouting reports of two such potential center prospects to determine which would make sense for the Broncos.
Dominick Puni | Kansas
Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 313 pounds
- Arm Length: 33-3/8 inches
- Hands: 10-1/8 inches
- Relative Athletic Score: 8.27
Pros
Puni has experience working on the left side of the line, starting at left guard in 2022 and left tackle in 2023. However, he is viewed as an interior offensive lineman and could be viewed as a center. He got reps as a center at the Senior Bowl and did well.
Puni is very light on his feet, moving exceptionally well laterally and climbing to the next level. He has great timing and pacing with his pulls and movement, and he can hit his landmarks. When working through his movements, he keeps a good base and balance.
Puni's hand technique is sound, and his punches have good placement and power. He can work his hands in unison or independently, which can help him handle counters. While he doesn't have elite length, he uses what length he has well to keep defenders off of his frame.
Cons
One of the most significant issues with Puni, which can be heightened working inside, is his bend and pad level. He can work to where he is playing more upright and gives up leverage to the defenders. There is not enough sand in his pants to anchor and recover when he gives up leverage.
Time will need to be spent in the weight room to add more strength and power to Puni's game. He can struggle to generate push when working head-on, and most of that issue is generating torque to get defenders on their heels.
When Puni opens up his chest, it's easy for defenders to get him on his heels and drive through him. He also has issues sustaining blocks, even when he isn't working head-on.
Fit With Broncos
While Puni would be better suited in a zone-heavy scheme, he has enough traits to be effective for the Broncos. However, his best fit for Denver would be to move into the middle and be the center.
Puni will need a year or two to grow fully into that position, so he won't be able to provide an immediate answer.
Big Board Position: No. 50 overall.
Zach Frazier | West Virginia
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 313 pounds
- Arm Length: 32-1/4 inches
- Hands: 10-7/8 inches
- Relative Athletic Score: N/A
Pros
Frazier has had an amazing recovery from breaking his leg in late November. There is no questioning his toughness or his love for football. The power in his frame is immense and overwhelming for defenders.
Frazier is square in the center position and can be hard to move off his spot. His anchor is strong and he's quick to get into it if he looks to be losing the rep. The power is also there in his engaging punch, which he uses effectively with timing and placement.
The hands are like vice grips and can be hard to break free from. Frazier also has an exceptional football IQ and can be trusted to make calls at the line. He sees blitzers and is quick to make his adjustments. There is great power throughout his body, and he can torque power through his lower half to generate drive, and he has the leg power to drive defenders downfield.
Cons
Frazier's length isn't ideal, though he didn't allow it to be a consistent issue in college. However, it mostly leads to issues recovering from earlier losses in the reps. That means it is hard for him to turn a lost rep into a win.
Frazier has movement issues both laterally and when climbing to the second level. This will limit his scheme fit, with the length relegating him to a center-only prospect. The lack of versatility doesn't help his stock, as teams like players who can do multiple things.
Frazier's hands will need to be cleaned up, too. He has 'drifter hands' that tend to start inside but work their way outside. That isn't good for any blocker, but it can be killer for a blocker with shorter arms like Frazier.
Fit With Broncos
Frazier is one of the ideal candidates for what the Broncos are looking for. The lack of versatility isn't a significant deal, as he would come in to compete for the starting center job from day one. He fits the scheme and could be a substantial boost to whoever ends up at quarterback in Denver with his ability to make calls at the line.
Big Board Position: No. 53 overall.
Better Fit for Broncos
Either would be effective for the Broncos, but Frazier fills the more immediate need. He can be a day-one starter in the scheme, and the Broncos look like they'll need that starting center.
Puni could be a solid pickup, but he isn't the ideal scheme fit, and he will need more time to be a center. The Broncos' need at this position depends largely on how high the staff is on Forsyth and Wattenberg.
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