Oct 16, 2010; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Peter Konz (66) is congratulated by fans following the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

University of Wisconsin center Peter Konz is widely considered the top center prospect of the 2012 draft class. He’s big, smart and comes from the proven Badger pedigree – all reasons I would love to see the Lions make him their first round draft choice next month.

However, University of Michigan center David Molk thinks he is the top prospect in the draft

Konz responded in an interview with a Madison, Wisconsin television station with the following:

That’s OK — Taylor Swift said, ‘People throw rocks at things that shine,’” Konz told the station Wednesday. “As far as I know, everybody likes me … ’cause I’m sexy and I know it.

I’m not sure how many adjectives I would have to exhaust before using “sexy”, even as someone that would love to see Konz in the honolulu blue and silver.

Then there is the whole issue of quoting Taylor Swift. It is either a plus in the personality column or a serious character flaw. I’m just not sure which one yet.

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I’ll admit to doing my part in that. Konz has been my pick for the Lions in my early mock drafts. He can take over for Dominic Raiola whenever that needs to happen and can compete for playing time at guard in the meantime.

Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The first question many will ask is, “that’s a little early for a center, isn’t it?” Not really. Here is a table listing the first centers drafted in the last ten drafts:

On average, the first center taken in the last ten drafts came off the board at pick 33 with six of the ten drafted in the first round, including the last three that all were off the board before pick 23, the pick the currently Lions hold. In other words, the possibility of Peter Konz being the pick for the Lions won’t be precluded based on his position.

What remains to be seen is whether or not Konz is the type of prospect that is worthy of the pick like the previous three drafts’ top centers. Early indications say that he is. Konz is currently the top center as ranked by Mel Kiper, who calls him “a great one, a smart player who can make all the calls at the line.” Konz is also the number two interior lineman on Mike Mayocks’s board behind guard David DeCastro.

Peter Konz’s combine didn’t get off to a very good start with only 18 reps in the 225-pound bench press. That was fourth lowest of all the offensive linemen that participated. However, ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert wrote a piece wondering if the Green Bay Packers could be interested in Konz as a replacement for Scott Wells and minimized the strength concerns with the following:

…it’s not out of the question that “strength questions” could drop his value a bit and make him more likely to be available to the Packers at No. 28 overall.

At this point it seems more likely that a poor combine performance ensures Konz is available when the Lions pick at 23 rather than knock him out of contention for the pick completely. Just something to think about as the draft process continues.

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Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

The NFL Combine gets underway in just a couple days. I reached out to Jesse Bartolis, co-editor of NFL Mocks, to give us a quick primer on what we should pay attention to from a Detroit Lions perspective. As you will soon read, Jesse was quite thorough and packed in a lot of information for us (thank you, Jesse!). That’s why I decided to split the Q&A into two parts. Part two has also been posted.

Zac Snyder: Who are a few offensive lineman Lions fans should pay attention to during the Combine and what would constitute a good showing for each?

Jess Bartolis: First, the things you want to pay attention to with offensive linemen are different than other prospects.  The “40 yard dash” of offensive linemen is the weigh-in. As boring as that sounds. Arm Length and hand size are a NFL linemen’s speed. You just want to make sure in the drills that players don’t look stiff. Measuring long is important though.

The first to pay attention to is Mike Adams out of Ohio State. Adams looks the part, he’s big, long, and has pretty quick feet. Teams will makes sure that Adams is in shape. They’ll be watching closely to see if he is truly athletic enough to play LT, many consider him more of a RT. And he’ll also have to impress in the interviews. He was apart of the Ohio State Scandal. I like Adams’ talent and think he ultimately ends up a top 20 pick, but he could fall to the Lions.

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is not getting enough publicity, but I think he is much better than Mike Pouncey was last year. Interior OL have been going higher and higher in the draft so he might not be available when the Lions pick 23rd overall, but he could be. A good showing for him is again to show better than anticipated athleticism. He’s a big center, more in the mold of a Nick Mangold.

Kelechi Osmele and Cordy Glenn, OL

Each team has to decide if these players are guard or tackles.

Glenn has to be in shape. He’s a very big man a guy many think can only play guard. He has to show that he has the lateral ability and explosiveness to play tackle. He played LT at Georgia I think he fits best as a RT in a power scheme (like the Jets want to be).

Osemele is from Iowa State. He’s a long athletic guy, how strong is he? How well does he bend? I’d expect him to run pretty well. It’s the strength and technique you’re looking a

Amini Silatalou and Matt Mcants

Hailing from Midwestern State and UAB respectively but few have seen them play. This is their chance to showcase their stuff. Silatlou especially.

Matt Reynolds, T, BYU

Is an experienced strong player who at one point had 1st round label, but now is seen more as an early day three pick. If he has long arms and looks athletic he can get back into the day two conversation. He is really functionally strong. A right tackle prospect.