Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: Center Nourzad of Penn State
Where the Las Vegas Raiders decide to take a center in this year's NFL Draft will depend on if they are looking for a starter or not.
If the Silver and Black are is in a position where they have an idea about who will be their starter by the time the draft rolls around, they can afford to wait until Day 3 to find a prospect to add depth.
A great candidate would be Hunter Nourzad of Penn State, who was a 2023 All-Big Ten Second Team selection, having moved from left guard to center for his final college season.
Pro Football Focus gave Nourzad an overall grade of 74.4, a run-blocking grade of 77.0, and a zone grade of 79.0 for the 2023 season.
The season before, Nourzad made eight starts in 11 games, playing most of his snaps at left guard. He received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in his first season with the program.
A prospect like center Hunter Nourzad of Penn State would help pad the Las Vegas Raiders' depth at not just the center position, but on the interior O-line in general.
© Rick Osentoski | 2022 Oct 15
Nourzad transferred to Penn State from Cornell, where he spent four seasons. He started all 10 games at right tackle in his final season, leading an offensive line that finished fifth in the nation in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.9) and set a program record with only nine sacks allowed all season.
For that season, Nourzad was named to the All-Ivy League First Team, received Phil Steele's Ivy League Offensive Lineman of the Year award and also selected to the American Football Coaches Association All-America Second Team.
Cornell's 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nourzad started all 10 games at right tackle in the 2019 season and was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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