There is three position where there is a chance for a rookie to play, right tackle, mid backer, and center.
If I’m the GM I’m thinking we’re trying to win a ring this year, no one I can get at 102 is gonna be a starter on my roster, but if I can get in the 2nd and someone drops, I have a chance to get a starter from this draft..
I’d give up what I have this draft to move up as close as I can get.
I’
A couple counterpoints here.
Unless you can get to around a top 20 pick (and even then it's questionable), the chances of a RT or ILB being ready to make a major contribution are pretty long. It happens, but not so often it can be counted on or assumed. One has to realize that when a player drops, there's usually a good reason for it. Center is a bit of a different situation, as it isn't seen as a high value position by most NFL evaluators. Consequently, good players at that position are more available into the second round.
I'm sure every GM that isn't in rebuild mode believes they have made moves to put their team in a position to compete, but the fact is we have a 1st year, 1st time HC and question marks at QB and Oline. If I'm the GM, while I have high hopes, I'm not seeing this team as realistically being "a player away" from a championship run.
You move up imo for any position you think that the player ur targeting has all pro potential.
Center is no different
Center is a bit different from other positions in that there isn't as much impact from having an All Pro verses an above average, solid player as say an All Pro WR or Corner verses just a solid guy.
Besides that, regardless of position the key word here is "potential". Beyond Rd1, most players are a crap shoot as far as their career paths. For every Holland, there are 20 guys that need development just to be serviceable.
I'm not saying don't try, but it isn't wise to count on rookie potential to be a starting quality player after the top guys are off the board.
In any case, at the moment we don't appear to have any depth at center, so I have to assume we will address that either in the draft, or the second wave of FA.