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The Cincinnati Bengals are in the market for a starting center after losing Eric Ghiaciuc to free agency and will likely address the need via the draft. The franchise may not venture far in search of an anchor in the middle of the team's offensive line. In fact, the Bengals may look no further than their own backyard.

Former Cincinnati Elder High School football star Eric Wood is one prospect the Bengals will be keeping close tabs on come draft day. Wood is rated as the top center/guard prospect on a few NFL teams' draft boards, and shouldn't make it past the Bengals with the 38th overall pick in Round 2. He reminds Bengals personnel a lot of Eric Steinbach with his versatility, but he may be a little nastier.

Wood is scheduled to meet with the organization in Cincinnati on April 14. But if the Bengals are to land this coveted prospect they may want to have a Clint Eastwood-like trigger finger. 

Two AFC North division rivals — the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns — are showing interest in the versatile lineman. Wood has a private workout scheduled with the Steelers and will travel to Cleveland to meet with the Browns. He has also worked out privately for Philadelphia and Denver.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Wood is a true ironman, starting 49 games for the Louisville Cardinals, and is ranked among the top three centers entering the draft. His stock has been on the rise since the Senior Bowl.

Wood actually got off to a slow start in Mobile after not playing in seven weeks and struggled early. But, as the week went on, he proved to NFL scouts that he was tops in his class.

Wood's crowning moment came during the game when he drove stud defensive tackle BJ Raji out of the box on a 1-yard touchdown run. The team ran an inside zone block with Wood lining up at guard on the play.

Wood said Raji is a good friend of his and is hands-down the best D-tackle in the draft.

I watched the center closely while in Mobile, and he is the total package. Wood is a consistent performer who shows great preparation and work ethic. He's a hard-nosed player who is extremely tough in the trenches. He's a mauler with the strength to manhandle opponents. Wood has the ability to play anywhere along the offensive line, showing outstanding versatility. He is not given enough credit for his mobility and has good lateral movement. Wood ranked near the top among offensive linemen in agility drills at the combine.

Wood anchors well, finishes off blocks, shows good overall technique and plays beyond the whistle. He needs to continue to work on staying low in the running game and punching more when pass protecting.

I think one NFL scout said it best when asked about Wood's ability. "Just turn on the film. You'll see a lot of similarities between him and Steeler great Mike Webster," the scout said.

Carlos "Big C" Holmes covers the NFL for the Dayton Daily News.

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