Guards - 2027 NFL Draft Preview

 

Four year starter, Prior Lake, MN. Honorable mention All-Big 10 selection in 2025. Has started at both guard and center. A good sized long-armed guard who shoots his arms out straight and sinks his anchor low and strong. Has a scrappy attitude and a high competitive spirit. Is a bit methodical with good feet and lateral quickness, which allows him to lead the power and climb to the second-level. His lateral quickness allows him to reach and overtake the defensive tackle. Physically lays it on hard when double teaming the defensive tackle. He is challenged at times in the running game with the bigger inside defenders. He gave up 10 pressures and three sacks last season. His ability to recognize line twists is a bit inconsistent. Needs to work on foot speed to aid his ability to recover. Needs to lower his base to strengthen his drive blocking. Better balance will help him keep his feet. A very serviceable center (left handed snapper) leading to his versatility as an interior offensive lineman. Early round selection.

 

 

Three year starter, Norfolk, NE. PFF All-American and third team All-Big 10 in 2025. A big part of Iowa’s Moore Award winning offensive line. An athletic interior lineman, with a very diverse athletic background, don’t let his leaner frame fool you, he has “back on the farm” strength. A very above average athlete with a 37” vertical jump. Equally adept as both a run blocker and pass protector. Shows good mobility, which allows him to get to the aiming point effortlessly. A sound technician runs his feet upon engaging the defender. Has a great first step. He is a finisher, always looking to get in the action. Needs to work on his balance when climbing up levels. His limited size may be challenged by the larger defensive tackles at the next level. Needs to sink his anchor. His technique can be disrupted by mass pushing on him. Among the draft’s top interior line prospects. Clearly an early draft choice at the guard position, but also as an interior lineman.

 

 

Two year starter, Findlay, OH. AFCA second team All-American and second team All-Big 10 in 2025. Has a great first step and plays with very active feet. His low center of gravity roots out the defensive tackle. Has a good feel for picking up the line twist. Shows good quickness and leverage on the power pull, generally has a very physical ending to the pull. Likes to get down and dirty. Keeps his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage with a strong punch. Gets to balance upon engaging defender. Good quickness getting on the center’s hip. He is well schooled in getting one hand and shoulders square on double teams. A very physical player. He plays like a shorter armed guard. Leans forward a bit in pass protection and needs to not give away his inside shoulder. Has given up too many pressures, this can be refined. Viewed as a mid-round draft pick he is a serviceable plug in as he continues to develop next level skills.

 

 

Two year starter, Ontario, CA. Moved from right tackle to guard in 2026. Gave up no sacks last year at right tackle. Moves smoothly for a big man in pass protection, displaying good foot speed. Has a low center of gravity when double teaming down and moving up to the linebacker. A physical player, he can velcro the defender. Takes a good positional step, gets big and square when firming up the middle of the offensive line. A “space eater” in the interior, very active between helping both the center and tackle. Shows good quickness across the face of the end on the outside zone. Pass protection is his forte. A bit awkward in space, needs better awareness in recognizing line twists. Last season he gave up no sacks but did give up 23 pressures. Penalty prone. Needs to move people out on run blocking and be more physical then positional. Tends to lean forward. Versatility is what comes to mind because of his right tackle and right guard play. Could be a solid second day choice.

 

 

Two year starter, Dayton, OH. Second team All-Big 12 and third team AP All-American in 2025. Has a wrestling and track background. Physical and barrel chested he’s a high motor part of the offensive line that didn’t give up a sack until week seven last year. None of the sacks given up were attributed to him. Strong in his upper body, he punches out and defenders move backwards. From his past as a wrestler, he displays good leg drive and understanding of his leverage. Sees line twists developing and washes them down. Watching his tape, shows good base and leverage in pass protection and exudes physicality as a run blocker. Good quickness climbing up to the second level. Low center of gravity with an upward rise. Like most big men, needs to develop foot speed. Needs to develop the ability to redirect in space. Overall has average quickness. He’s an ascending player and awareness of his ability is on the rise. Second day of the 2027 draft should be in his future.

 

Miami - 6060 / 300 | JR

 

Virginia - 6040 / 325 | RS SR

 

USC - 6040 / 304 | JR

 

Penn State - 6050 / 334 | JR

 

Houston - 6020 / 295 | SR

 

Arkansas - 6050 / 340 | SR

 

Notre Dame - 6070 / 333 | SO

 

Duke - 6040 / 300 | GR

 

Mississippi - 6060 / 300 | RS SR

 

Nebraska - 6020 / 315 | RS SR

 

Texas A&M - 6040 / 314 | JR

 

Indiana - 6040 / 314 | SR

 

SMU - 6050 / 320 | RS SR

 

Tennessee - 6020 / 330 | RS SR

 

Oregon - 6050 / 320 | 5th Year