Guards were all the rage in the 2013 NFL Draft. Both Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack were drafted in the top 10, which led to questions over whether those guys were that good or if their draft position was the product of a weak class.
2014 NFL Draft guard rankings: Xavier Su’a-Filo still leads the crop
The guards in the 2014 NFL Draft don’t stack up to the 2013 class, but we still hand out a few first-round grades.
Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE
In the 2014 NFL Draft, the guard prospects aren't quite as talented as they were in the 2013 NFL Draft. The rest of the class is also stronger, so it would be a surprise to see any guards drafted within the first 10 picks of the draft. That being said, as many as three guards could come off the board in the first round. Xavier Su'a-Filo remains on the top of our board and could be an instant impact player in the NFL.
Here is our full board of 22 offensive guards with quick scouting reports on the top 10.
1. Xavier Su'a-Filo | 6'4 1/8, 307 pounds | Guard | UCLA *
Since the middle of the fall, Su’a-Filo has been our top-ranked guard prospect. We grade him out as a top 15 player in this class due in large part to his movement skills and athletic makeup. Regardless of what scheme a team runs, Su’a-Filo can step in and contribute.
2. Zack Martin | 6'4, 308 pounds | Offensive tackle / Guard | Notre Dame
Martin is right up there with Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews as being the most technically sound offensive lineman in the draft. He keeps a good base, has proper handwork and doesn’t have wasted motions. The question, though, is about his ability to stick outside at tackle. His size and playing style lends more to plain guard.
3. Gabe Jackson | 6'3 1/4, 336 pounds | Guard | Mississippi State
A four-year starter at left guard for Mississippi State, Gabe Jackson has the frame and skills to start early in the NFL. Jackson plays with a good base and has the balance and movement skills to get out in space and make blocks at the second level of the defense. He needs to improve his ability to drive defenders once he engages in a block, which will come with added strength in both his upper and lower body.
4. Joel Bitonio | 6'4 1/4, 302 pounds | Offensive tackle / Guard | Nevada
An offensive tackle at Nevada, Bitonio may move inside to guard because of his playing style. He's an aggressive blocker who keeps his legs moving through the whistle. When Bitonio gets his hands on a defender, he's hard to shed because of his strength and proper hand placement. Flashes good foot speed to handle speedier pass rushers. Needs to stay lower in his stance. Has some very impressive tape – Bitonio shut down UCLA edge rusher Anthony Barr in 2013.
5. Trai Turner | 6'2 5/8, 310 pounds | Guard | LSU *
Many have been late on Turner, including us, because he was an unexpected entrant in the draft. Playing catchup on Turner reveals a powerful blocker who can push defensive linemen around with ease. Unlike most power blocking guards, though, Turner has nimble feet. He can handle speed rushers on the inside and can quickly redirect to pick up defenders. Turner needs to get more consistent with his technique, though. Sometimes he’ll get lazy with his hands and that hurts him against linemen who can match his strength.
6. David Yankey | 6'5 5/8, 315 pounds | Guard | Stanford *
David Yankey would be a natural fit in a zone-blocking scheme in the NFL. He’s comfortable as an in-line blocker but really gets the most out of his ability when he’s asked to move off his spot and get to the next level. He shuffles his feet efficiently and always squares up before engaging in his block. Yankey needs to play the game a bit lower to consistently get better leverage, but he’s a versatile player who has a chance to develop into an NFL starter.
7. Cyril Richardson | 6'4 3/4, 329 pounds | Guard | Baylor
At the Senior Bowl, Richardson was exposed. He was put on the ground far too often because of a poor base. Richardson is at his best when he can drive block at the line of scrimmage. He has long arms and a powerful upper body to win as a run blocker. Richardson struggles against speedier defenders. Linebackers who come late can beat him with misdirection and he's susceptible to stunts.
8. Anthony Steen | 6'2, 312 pounds | Guard | Alabama
Simply put, Anthony Steen will be held back on draft weekend because he doesn’t have the ideal physical traits for a guard. He has short arms and isn’t that great of an athlete. Steen put together a nice body of work at Alabama, showing decent balance and blocking technique. He’s a smart blocker and rarely seems to get caught off guard, but the lack of physical tools may limit him in the NFL.
9. Dakota Dozier | 6'3 5/8, 313 pounds | Guard | Furman
When an offensive lineman is making the jump from an FCS program to the NFL, strength will also be a concern. Furman guard Dakota Dozier is no exception. He will have to get stronger if he hopes to make an impact at the next level, but he has a natural feel for engaging defenders in blocks and getting out in space to do it. He has a good frame to play guard in the NFL and has the athleticism to excel in a zone-blocking scheme.
10. Spencer Long | 6'5 320 pounds | Guard | Nebraska
The biggest question mark surrounding Nebraska guard Spencer Long is a knee injury that ended his senior season in October. Up to that point, Long looked like a day-two guard prospect based on his body of work. Now, injury questions will likely push him to the third day of the draft, but his potential is still high.
11. Chris Burnette | 6'2, 314 pounds | Guard | Georgia
12. Jon Halapio | 6'3 1/2, 323 pounds | Guard | Florida
13. Austen Bujnoch | 6'5, 285 pounds | Guard | Cincinnati
14. Andrew Norwell | 6'6, 319 pounds | Guard | Ohio State
15. Brandon Linder | 6'5 5/8, 311 pounds | Guard | Miami
16. Antwan Lowery | 6'5, 305 pounds | Guard | Rutgers
17. Zach Fulton | 6'5, 323 pounds | Guard | Tennessee
18. John Urschel | 6'3, 313 pounds | Guard | Penn State
19. Kevin Danser | 6’6, 301 pounds | Guard | Stanford
20. Chris Watt | 6'3, 310 pounds | Guard | Notre Dame
21. Marcus Hall | 6'6, 315 pounds | Guard | Ohio State
22. Jordan Hansel | 6'4, 326 pounds | Guard | Ball State
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