Vikings Prospect Player Card: Billy Price | C | Ohio State

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

As the NFL Draft approaches, Vikings Territory is taking a look at prospects that may interest the Minnesota Vikings. Since it’s evident the team would like to add a long-term offensive line starter at some point in the early rounds, let’s examine the players who could fit that mold.

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  • School: Ohio State University
  • Position: G/C
  • Projected round: 1-2
  • Age: 23

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  • Height: 6-4
  • Weight: 312 lbs.
  • Arm: 32″
  • Hand: 9 3/4″

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  • Bench press: Suffered pectoral injury
  • *DNP in remaining drills*

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Vikings Interest: 10/10

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  • Billy Price, along with current Vikings center and former Buckeye Pat Elflein, played 39 games together at Ohio State. Team chemistry has been a common theme under Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman. Therefore, it makes sense for these two young players to reunite and anchor the interior of the Vikings offensive line for the foreseeable future.
  • In Jordan Reid’s NFL Draft Profile of Price on Vikings Territory, JR stated that there’s arguably no other prospect that makes as much sense for the Vikings. Before Price suffered an injury during the bench press at the NFL Combine, he was considered one of the safest picks in the draft.
  • Because of his injury, as well as minor concerns with his arm length, it’s likely Price will drop out of the first round and be a second-day pick.
  • Ohio State runs a very similar offense to that of Vikings’ offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. Both offenses utilize RPOs and implement a mixture of zone and man-blocking schemes for the offensive line. Price’s experience in Urban Meyer and Kevin Wilson’s offense could ease his transition into the NFL.
  • Price set an Ohio State record of 55 consecutive games started.
  • He started all 14 games last season.
  • Won the Remington Trophy as the nation’s top center and was a unanimous first-team All-American selection.
  • He played three seasons at guard before moving to center in 2017.

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  • Price sustained a partially torn pectoral muscle during the bench press test at the NFL Combine. He’s expected to be ready for training camp.
  • According to his NFL.com draft profile, there are minor concerns with Price’s arm length and character.
  • Price graded much lower in pass protection than he did in run blocking.

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Bottom Line:

Price is likely a day-one starter with Pro Bowl potential.

Potential OL starters:

LT Riley Reiff – LG Nick Easton – C Pat Elflein – RG Billy Price – RT Mike Remmers

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