2014 NFL Draft guard rankings

UCLA’s Xavier Su’a-Filo combines enough athleticism and power on the inside to rank as the top guard in this year’s draft.

by Dan Kadar

Mar 19, 2014, 2:00 PM UTC

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The guard class in the 2014 NFL Draft is bolstered by the inclusion of a couple players who could be viewed as offensive tackles at the next level.

Notre Dame’s Zack Martin and Nevada’s Joel Bitonio find themselves in the guard rankings, but are capable of playing tackle in the NFL. Both would be solid on the outside (especially Martin), but could be stars as interior blockers.

Topping the class, though, is UCLA’s Xavier Su’a-Filo. He too has some history at tackle, but spent considerably more time as the Bruins’ left guard. There he showcased his athleticism and power. Gabe Jackson of Mississippi State has moved up the rankings slightly after a good showing at the Senior Bowl. Conversely, Baylor’s Cyril Richardson drops after disappointing in Mobile.

The wild card among the guards this year is LSU’s Trai Turner, an unexpected early entrant in the draft. He’s not as far along as some of the other guards in this class, but his ceiling is higher.

1. Xavier Su'a-Filo | 6'4 1/8, 307 pounds | Guard | UCLA *

2. Zack Martin | 6'4, 308 pounds | Offensive tackle / Guard | Notre Dame

3. Gabe Jackson | 6'3 1/4, 336 pounds | Guard | Mississippi State

4. David Yankey | 6'5 5/8, 315 pounds | Guard | Stanford *

5. Cyril Richardson | 6'4 3/4, 329 pounds | Guard | Baylor

6. Joel Bitonio | 6'4 1/4, 302 pounds | Offensive tackle / Guard | Nevada

7. Trai Turner | 6'2 5/8, 310 pounds | Guard | LSU *

8. Anthony Steen | 6'2, 312 pounds | Guard | Alabama

9. Spencer Long | 6'5 320 pounds | Guard | Nebraska

10. Dakota Dozier | 6'3 5/8, 313 pounds | Guard | Furman

11. Chris Burnette | 6'2, 314 pounds | Guard | Georgia

12. Jon Halapio | 6'3 1/2, 323 pounds | Guard | Florida