{"id":732300,"date":"2026-02-06T00:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T00:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/732300\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T00:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T00:24:21","slug":"logan-jones-is-a-win-now-option-in-the-draft-to-solve-the-packers-dilemma-at-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/732300\/","title":{"rendered":"Logan Jones Is A Win-Now Option In the Draft To Solve the Packers\u2019 Dilemma At Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s an open question who will be the starting center<\/a> for the Green Bay Packers next year. Elgton Jenkins<\/a> opened the 2025 season as the starter. However, he\u2019s nearing 30, suffered a season-ending ankle injury<\/a> midway through the year, and could free up<\/a> more than $19 million in cap space if released. Meanwhile, Sean Rhyan<\/a> stepped in<\/a> at center after Jenkins went down and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next month.<\/p>\n

The Packers can realistically re-sign Rhyan if they so choose. Spotrac projects<\/a> him to command roughly $6.6 million annually on a new deal in free agency, a manageable figure. Beyond Tyler Linderbaum<\/a>, who stands out as the lone high-end option, the unrestricted free-agent center market<\/a> offers limited upside. Given those constraints, it would be logical for Brian Gutekunst to evaluate potential draft solutions as part of a longer-term plan for the position.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how the Packers ultimately approach the position, it is difficult to envision Green Bay not having interest in Iowa center Logan Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jones was tied with Florida center Jake Slaughter<\/a> for the highest pass-block efficiency rate (99.4%) among this year\u2019s center class. He has logged more than 2,800 blocking snaps<\/a> at the college level, with his most productive seasons coming in 2024 and 2025 based on Pro Football Focus grading.<\/p>\n

In 2025, he allowed just three total pressures \u2014 including only two hurries \u2014 across 336 pass-blocking snaps. That level of consistency helped him win the Rimington Trophy<\/a>, awarded annually to the best center in college football.<\/p>\n

If the forward pass was never invented Iowa C Logan Jones might be a 1st round pick. I love guys who block to the whistle but Jones routinly is still blocking AFTER the whistle<\/p>\n

Jones has appeard on Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List” the last three seasons and it’s easy to see why pic.twitter.com\/5Z7cz76VLK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the kind of guy we want on our football team,\u201d Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said<\/a> about Jones in 2024. \u201cEverything about him. Everything he does is with purpose. He\u2019s really wired in when he\u2019s working. He\u2019s very popular with his teammates. He\u2019s so invested. Comes from a great family, mom, sister, really good people.<\/p>\n

Jones demonstrates uncommon mobility for an interior lineman, consistently playing with balance and control in space. He finishes blocks with an edge, looking to assert himself through the whistle rather than simply occupying defenders. Durability has been a steady part of his profile throughout his career. He\u2019s also adaptable enough to fill in at guard if needed, a trait Brian Gutekunst tends to value in his offensive linemen.<\/p>\n

96 days until the 2026 NFL Draft <\/p>\n

Pancake of the Day: Iowa C Logan Jones pic.twitter.com\/HG1zYyRoD3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) January 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Packers have shifted their approach to building the offensive line in recent years, placing a clear emphasis on bigger-bodied linemen. Recent draft picks such as Anthony Belton<\/a> (336 lbs.), Jordan Morgan<\/a> (320 lbs.), Jacob Monk<\/a> (320 lbs.), and John Williams<\/a> (322 lbs.) reflect that philosophy. Meanwhile, Jones is listed<\/a> at 302 lbs. on ESPN\u2019s official site, notably lighter than the profiles Green Bay has gravitated toward lately.<\/p>\n

However, the philosophical shift has yet to produce improved results. Green Bay\u2019s offensive line delivered its poorest pass-protection performance<\/a> in a decade. The Packers are unlikely to abandon a relatively new approach so soon into its implementation, but it warrants internal evaluation going forward.<\/p>\n

Logan Jones is an older prospect and will turn 25 in October. However, as with the case made for Lee Hunter<\/a> in my other article, the Packers are firmly in a win-now window. That allows them to prioritize older rookies with extensive college experience \u2014 players capable of stepping in and contributing immediately \u2014 rather than focusing exclusively on long-term developmental timelines.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t know how things ultimately play out, but it\u2019s difficult not to come away impressed by how clean Jones looks on tape. He currently sits at No. 106 on the consensus board<\/a>, which should give Green Bay a realistic opportunity to land him.<\/p>\n

Still, the futures of Elgton Jenkins and Sean Rhyan are likely the first dominoes in determining the position\u2019s long-term direction. If the Packers move on from Jenkins while retaining Rhyan on a short-term deal, there\u2019s a strong chance Gutekunst could target Logan Jones late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the draft.<\/p>\n

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