1. Travis Frederick, C – Dallas Cowboys
Frederick was the 2nd-best center in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus, which classifies him as an elite player at his position.
Book-ended by offensive linemen, this list is topped by Frederick, the anchor of the dominant Cowboys offensive line. Frederick has been one of the best linemen in the NFL for several seasons now. He made four-straight Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2016. Oh yeah, there’s also this.
Travis Frederick has surrendered one sack over the past four seasons.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) May 30, 2018
The end.
The Cowboys are a nightmare for opposing defensive lines. The way they run the ball with Ezekiel Elliott, behind players like Frederick, is often too much for opposing defenses to handle. In the four years that Frederick has made the Pro Bowl, the Cowboys have finished 2nd, 9th, 2nd and 2nd in the league in rushing yards. It’s no secret what they’re going to do. The Cowboys will run the ball often, and they’ll run it well.
At Wisconsin
Frederick had experience playing all over the line as an amateur. He was recruited as a tackle, but played center and guard for the Badgers and was a center his final season in Madison, earning All-America honors. Frederick was part of the offenses for the last two Rose Bowls in the stretch of three, in 2011 and 2012. He helped pave the way for some of the best rushing attacks in college just as he does in the pros.
The Cowboys aren’t going to stray away from the identity they’ve established thus far. Frederick is going to be bulldozing a lot of defensive linemen in 2018 as the Cowboys hope to rebound and make the playoffs again. Expect to see Frederick competing for an All-Pro spot and the Cowboys rushing attack to be top-five in the league again.
Next: Most underrated returning Badgers
Are there any players you disagree with? Who do you think should be on the list?