clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Is John Sullivan The NFL's Best Center?

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

If you look at the title of this piece, I think it's a fair question to ask. I mean, don't get me wrong. . .he isn't Pro Bowl Center Jeff Saturday™ or anything. . .then again, who is?

But John Sullivan has really played well the past couple of years, and at least one source tabs him as the best center in the National Football League. Pro Football Focus, in continuing their look at the NFL's best players from 2012, has Sullivan ranked at #26 overall.

(Yes, it was quite a gap between Vikings, with Blair Walsh at #101 and Sullivan at #26. There were a couple of former Vikings in-between, but really. . .we don't have to talk about them any more.)

Here's what PFF has to say about Sullivan:

Our top-ranked center on the year, the Vikings' running game wasn't just about Adrian Peterson. No, center Sullivan deserves a lot of credit for building on his breakout 2011 to have an even better year where his ability to get defenders going where he wanted rightfully gets him inside the Top 30.

Best Performance: Week 16 at Houston, +6.3

Key Stat: Flagged for just two penalties all year.

Two penalties all year for a team that relies so heavily on the running game is pretty good for ol' #65. And he's signed for the long-term, so hopefully he can stay on top of his game going forward.