Summary

Ted Karras was selected in Round 6 (#221 Overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Illinois State University. A multi-position interior lineman in college, Karras started 50+ games at center and guard, earning First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors and establishing a reputation for toughness and intelligence. In the NFL, Karras has built a long, reliable career with the Patriots, Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals, becoming a trusted starter at center and guard. Through the 2024 season, he has started 100+ NFL games, anchored playoff-caliber offensive lines, and helped protect high-volume passing offenses. Karras is a two-time Super Bowl champion (2016, 2018) with New England and has been a key stabilizing presence for Cincinnati’s offensive front during deep postseason runs, including Super Bowl LVI. He is widely regarded as a high-character, tough, and intelligent leader, praised for durability, communication, mean streak, and locker-room presence.

Strengths

• Positional Versatility: Proven starter at center and both guard spots. Executes assignments and understands leverage and angles.

• Cerebral Communication: Excellent line caller who identifies fronts, blitzes, and stunts. Vocal organizer who is trusted by quarterbacks and coaches.

• Experience & Durability: Extensive reps in high-pressure playoff environments. Reliable availability and plays through physical wear.

• Pass Protection Awareness: Sound positioning and minimizes mental errors. Holds ground well against interior bull rushers.

Weaknesses

• Top-End Athleticism: Limited range against quick interior penetrators.

• Recovery Ability: Can struggle to recover if initially beaten by speed. Plays high and upright at times, affecting leverage.

• Second-Level Mobility: Functional but not dynamic climbing to linebackers.

• Age & Mileage: Athletic decline must be managed with workload and scheme fit.

Outlook

Karras is an excellent fit for structured, communication-heavy offensive systems that value reliability, intelligence, and interior stability. He thrives in balanced or pass-first offenses, where protection calls, cohesion, and situational execution are critical. In Cincinnati’s offense, Karras’ ability to set protections and maintain interior pocket integrity is vital for quarterback comfort and offensive rhythm. Moving towards the back nine of his career, Karras projects as a high-end veteran starter or premium interior depth piece capable of playing center or guard at a solid level. While he may not offer elite athletic upside, his intelligence, toughness, and experience provide a high floor and winning-value profile. As he advances into the later stages of his career, Karras remains a trusted stabilizer and leader whose impact extends beyond the stat sheet and into offensive cohesion and professionalism.