This year's class of guard prospects didn't come with the same accolades as their counterparts at tackle, but the position did set records for the position in the first round. Johnathan Cooper and Chance Warmack both became the highest guards ever drafted when they were taken at Nos. 7 and 10, respectively.
2013 NFL Draft best available: Jeff Baca highlights remaining guards
UCLA’s Jeff Baca is the top remaining guard as Day 3 of the 2013 NFL Draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday.
Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE
There are still some solid options available as Day 3 of the NFL Draft begins at noon ET Saturday. Seven guards were drafted in the first three rounds, including three in the first round. The other four went in the third round, suggesting a run on the position may carry over into the fourth round.
Top Offensive Guard Remaining
1, Jeff Baca, UCLA
A team won’t get an elite-level athlete in Baca, but they will find a guy who gets the job done through a mix of intelligence, technique and determination. He’s a solid all-around player, certainly enough to suggest he could find a long-term role in the NFL.
2, Oday Aboushi, Virginia
A tackle in college, he lacks ideal arm length for the position at the pro level. Aboushi is an aggressive phone-booth fighter, but doesn’t have great technique. If a team works with him on his hand placement and works him hard on his footwork, he could turn into an excellent pass-blocking guard. His run-blocking is hindered by his hands, but it can be coached.
3, Earl Watford, James Madison
Watford is a raw prospect who displays outstanding toughness and aggression. He has work to do, as any mid-level prospect from a small school will, but has great arm length for the position and his tenacity may be an adequate building block for his fundamentals.
4, Alvin Bailey, Arkansas
Not the most powerful guard available, but three years of starting experience makes him savvy. He is disciplined and can make up for limited athleticism by knowing where he needs to be. Wherever he ends up, he will spend lots of time in the weight room working on lower body strength.
5, J.C. Tretter, Cornell
An interesting case study in development, Tretter was a tight end for the first part of his career at Cornell. Clearly a developmental prospect, he gets off the snap and into his assignment well. The main issue is the level of competition he has gone against, but he could be someone teams could develop as a swing interior linemen.
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