NFL Draft 2018: Billy Price a tremendous fit with home-state Bengals

Cincinnati made a strong pick despite reaching for the NFL draft’s second center, but Billy Price is a tremendous fit.

Detroit kicked off the center-picking parade with Arkansas Center Frank Rangow at pick No. 20. Cincinnati continued the trend at No. 21 with Ohio State Center Billy Price.

Price was the most experienced of the Buckeyes offensive linemen last season, being the only one of the starting five to start on the 2014 National Championship team. However, concern crept up when Price injured himself during the NFL combine in late February.

Cincinnati has needed to give Andy Dalton some help on the offensive line and the Bengals front office gave him just that.

How does he fit in Cincinnati?

It’s a great fit for him, as he is only just down Interstate 71 from Columbus to Cincinnati and the Bengals have been without a very good offensive line for much of Andy Dalton’s tenure.

Many talk about the left tackle being the most important lineman, the center might be just as important. Price is a smart center who knows how to call out his blocking assignments, which helped him win the 2017 Rimington Award.

Next: Complete 7-round 2018 NFL Mock Draft

While he wasn’t the best center on the board, Price was the most experienced and perhaps the most pro-ready at the position. The center position is the quarterback of the defense and Price has been doing it a long time at Ohio State. He could become the key cog in an improved Bengals offensive line.

Grade: A-