Packers draft center from Ohio State in fifth round

GREEN BAY–Ohio State’s Corey Linsley addresses what some would say is a dire need for a center. The Packers selected Linsley, 6-2, 296, with their first of two picks in the fifth round, the 161st pick overall.

Linsley started all 26 games at center the last two years, after having been a reserve guard and tackle. He was a first team All-Big 10 selection and team captain.

The Packers lost starting center Evan Dietrich-Smith in free agency. JC Tretter, a fourth-round pick last year, is a likely challenger to replace Dietrich-Smith.

“Solid, workmanlike, tough and intelligent, but not really big or overly athletic,” packers.com draft analyst Tony Pauline said of Linsley.

Packers.com has posted a more complete version of this story.