Thursday was a banner day for interior offensive linemen. During the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, a record nine offensive linemen were selected. Four of them were interior players, five if you count the versatile Justin Pugh.
NFL Draft 2013 best available: Offensive guards led by Larry Warford
Thursday was a banner day for interior offensive linemen in the NFL Draft. Don’t expect Day 2 to be as guard-centric, though there is still plenty of talent available, including Kentucky’s Larry Warford.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Since 2000, just nine offensive guards have been selected in the first round of the draft. Period. And perhaps most impressively, Jonathan Cooper was drafted No. 8 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the first offensive guard to be drafted in the top 10 in 16 years.
As you can imagine, the elite offensive guard prospects are off the board. Don't expect Day 2 of the NFL Draft to be quite as linemen-centric. Dan Kadar does not project an interior lineman to fall in Round 2, though Kentucky's Larry Warford is currently his ninth-best overall player available.
Below are the best remaining guards on Kadar’s Top 200 big board. Of course, be sure to check out Matthew Fairburn’s full offensive guard rankings for the 2013 draft class.
Top offensive guards available
1. Larry Warford, 6’3, 332 pounds, Kentucky -- Overall rank: No. 33
Warford should soon become the first Kentucky lineman drafted since 1993. He is a massive human being with tremendous lateral quickness given his size. He struggles to go out of his stance quickly, however. Warford is open to a position switch to center.
2. Dallas Thomas, 6'5, 306 pounds, Tennessee -- Overall rank: No. 88
Thomas is very versatile. He spent time at both tackle and guard while with the Volunteers, and is known for having excellent athleticism. To make it in the NFL, he may need to add strength and bulk to his frame. Thomas is somewhat of a tweener.
3. Brian Winters, 6'4, 320 pounds, Kent State -- Overall rank: No. 98
Winters played at left tackle for Kent State, but he is expected to move inside at the next level. His foot speed is lacking, but he has a good frame to add strength and be a regular contributor in the NFL for years.
4. Hugh Thornton, 6'3, 320 pounds, Illinois -- Overall rank: No. 120
Thornton has the tools to be an NFL lineman. He played everywhere along the line for the Illini. He has great upper body strength and quick feet, though he may also be a tweener: Slightly lacking the bulk for guard and the lateral mobility for tackle.
5. Alvin Bailey, 6'3, 312 pounds, Arkansas -- Overall rank: No. 123
Bailey has the athleticism and raw strength to potentially be a star at the next level. However, his game tape last season left much to be desired. Many felt that he needed one more season in college, but he opted to forego his senior year and enter the NFL Draft instead.
Honorable mention
J.C. Tretter, 6'4, 307 pounds, Cornell -- Overall rank: No. 145
Travis Bond, 6'5, 329 pounds, North Carolina -- Overall rank: No. 187
Omoregie Uzzi, 6'3, 300 pounds, Georgia Tech -- Overall rank: No. 196
Jeff Baca, 6'3, 302 pounds, UCLA
Carson York, 6'5, 293 pounds, Oregon
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