Houston’s free‑agency moves across the offensive line addressed the major holes at tackle and guard. Those additions have changed the priority for this article series to focus on centers instead of tackles. Thus far, we’ve reviewed OT Blake Miller and OG Chase Bisontis. In today’s post we’ll move further inside to cover Auburn’s Connor Lew. Thursday morning, Jake Slaughter will receive his time in the spotlight, with an incredibly hot take too.
Lew was the centerpiece of an incredibly disappointing Hugh Freeze era that only generated 15 wins in three seasons. After jumping in his freshman year to start after an injury to the incumbent center, he eventually earned team captain and became a three-year starter for Auburn.
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Unfortunately, Lew tore his ACL last October in a game against Missouri. That season-ending injury and subsequent surgery has tanked the draft stock of the once-highest rated center in the class. Even so, Lew has confidently entered this draft class as a Junior and should still be selected in the first 75 picks.
Lew took a step back his senior year according to most media outlets, which will beg a full, multi-year film analysis. Ideally, a young player such as Lew improves game-over-game, season-over-season. That’s not always the case, and Lew’s mid-season injury further muddies the water on his 2025 film analysis.
When watching centers, these are the questions I’m looking to get answers to:
In the run game, do you move people or do you shield people?
Are you able to get under defensive tackles who weigh more and have better leverage than you?
Are you aware enough to disengage from your block and stop blitzes?
Can you keep your hips square in the run game, whether that’s zone blocking or comb0 blocking?
Can you hinge and lock out against bull-rushes, particularly against nose tackles?
Bio:
Size: 6’3 1/2”, 310 pounds
Year/Age: Junior, 20 years old
Measurements: 32 3/8” arms (42%), 9” hands (16%)
Expected draft range: late second to early third round
Film Analysis:
Games watched: Texas A&M (2025), Oklahoma (2025), Missouri (2025),
Lew represents a long-term investment in a high-potential profile. His rehab and recovery from the ACL injury will directly impact his ceiling as a center.
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Height isn’t a prerequisite at center. Taller players often lose leverage battles against squatty nose tackles who can drive them straight into the pocket. At 6’3”, he fits the prototype, but his 16th‑percentile hands are a clear weakness, leading to consistent issues sustaining blocks when defenders extend.
Part of the analysis with Lew is projection. He is only 20 years old. Compare that to the next four centers in this class:
Film study revealed more concerns than positives across the games evaluated. The notes below capture those observations in a streamlined, shorthand format.
Much better at engaging and controlling defenders in the run game than displacing them in the run game
Goes to a spot rather than a player on screens and doesn’t give elite effort
Will stare and lean towards the player he’s blocking, which can give away the protection slides
Gets locked out by defensive tackles when he doesn’t deliver an initial punch on time
Extremely fluid mover and has high-end awareness of what’s occurring around him
Hands are not overly impactful, especially in gap schemes – smaller hand size will hurt him moving forward
Absorbs blitzing linebackers exceptionally well
Does not have a strong grip. Hands can be easily dislodged
When unmarked, would lose positioning next to the guards next to him. This would force him to block the back of defensive tackles or be outright not helpful in pass protection
I grade Lew as a comfortably third round prospect with an incredibly high ceiling if he can gain more power in his hands and drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. He’s young and full of potential, but needs to develop a second gear. I wanted to love Lew and was excited about his current draft value, but believe he could have been better served transferring schools to a better program his Senior year.
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Fit in Houston:
If Houston were to select Lew, they’d anticipate he’s better now and will be better than any of those prospects three years into their NFL careers. Lew would be into his third year of his rookie contract and still be the same age as some of the other options in this class.
Houston projects to be an ideal landing spot for the young center as he can continue to recover from his surgery and not be thrust into the starting role immediately. This would allow him to take over the starting role mid-season from the incumbent Jake Andrews. The Texans can get their future center at a discount while still maintaining continuity on the ever-changing offensive line.
Overall, I wanted Lew to be more refined and impactful than what I witnessed. The first center on the board should be a force multiplier in the run game and that wasn’t the case. His pass blocking consisted of good feet and leverage, but any form of stunt will dislodge him Mind you, Auburn’s offense lacked creativity and felt panicked.