2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Guard

4/26/22: Green played guard and left tackle for the Aggies in 2021, but for the NFL, he profiles as a guard. Green was not horrible at tackle, but he had some problems with speed rushers. Once Texas A&M got some players back from injury, Green went back to his natural position of guard. Green has a well-rounded skill set for the inside. He is a tough run blocker who can generate a push and is a reliable, steady pass protector.

“I think Green goes late first, early second,” said an area scout. “He’s a guard in the NFL, has good size at 6-foot-3-and-half, good length, can get overextended at times, but solid overall football player.”

7/3/21: Assuming Green stays healthy over his senior year, he will enter the NFL having started three straight seasons for the Aggies. If his play stays consistent, he will provide evaluators three years of impressive tape. Texas A&M has had a lot of success running behind Green, who has also been steady in pass protection. He has a good skill set and will enter the next level with a lot of experience.

4/26/22: Johnson put together a solid senior season, but he struggled with the speed rushers from Florida State to close out the year. Johnson is more of a left guard candidate for the NFL, and that is where the Eagles played him in 2021. At the Senior Bowl, Johnson had a good week of practice and impressed team sources. He followed it up with a good workout and interviews at the combine. Team sources call Johnson’s tape that of a second-rounder, but he has plug-and-play starting potential, and in this weak draft, he could be a late first-round pick.

7/3/21: Johnson played well in 2020, showing improvement thanks to his year of experience with the Eagles. The NFL’s preseason watch list has him as an offensive tackle, but given his lack of height and length, he might be better off moving inside to guard at the next level.

Johnson started out his college career at Davidson before transferring. In 2019, Johnson made seven starts at left guard in his first season with Boston College. Johnson has good size to him and ability. He could be better in 2021 now that he has more time with the Eagles.

4/26/22: Goedeke came back from missing the 2020 season with injury to put together a solid 2021 regular season that earned him a Senior Bowl invitation. Goedeke left one of the Senior Bowl practices early in the week with an injury and did not return. Goedeke started at right tackle for Central Michigan, but guard would be his best fit for the NFL given his lack of length. Some team sources say they like Goedeke more than teammate Bernhard Raimann, who some in the media have projected to the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

4/26/22: Ingram played well in 2021. He executed his assignments at a high level and showed impressive strength with the power to get a push at the point of attack. Ingram’s technique as a pass blocker looked improved over 2020. He had a solid week at the Senior Bowl and then worked out well at the combine. Some team sources think he is going to be an excellent value pick on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. On the other hand, he has some serious and disturbing off-the-field issues.

7/3/21: Ingram impressed team evaluators in 2020. He was a tough run blocker while showing some athleticism in pass protection. Some team sources said as a player, aside from the character concerns, Ingram could have been a second-day talent for the 2021 NFL Draft if he had decided to skip his senior year. Ingram was probably wise to return to school if he can show scouts that the character issues are a thing of the past and he has become a hard worker who stays out of trouble and is not taking football for granted.

Ingram is a gifted talent who could end up rising if he stays on the field and plays up to his potential. As a freshman in 2017, Ingram was the Tigers’ starting right guard, and he played really well in his first season. Ingram sat out the 2018 season with a season-long suspension. He returned to the field in 2019 and mostly was backup behind Adrian Magee and Damien Lewis.

Ingram is strong at the point of attack and forceful run blocker with athleticism. If he stays on the field and out of trouble, he could be an early-rounder if NFL teams can get comfortable with his off-the-field issues.

4/26/22: Salyer was the starting left tackle for the Bulldogs in 2021, and he played well. He also played some right guard. Playing guard could be his best fit in the NFL due to his height and lack of length. That was given more proof with some struggles against Alabama in the SEC Championship, but Salyer rebounded and played better in the National Championship. He was solid, but unimpressive, at the Senior Bowl.

7/3/21: Before 2020, Salyer was buried on the depth chart. After Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson, and Solomon Kindley moved on to the NFL, Salyer was able to break into the starting lineup. Salyer played left tackle for nine games before moving to left guard at the end of the year. For the NFL, he projects to the inside of the line as he lacks length. Salyer is a strong and thick blocker that can get after defenders in the ground game. Conditioning has been a problem for some recent Georgia offensive linemen like Kindley and Trey Hill, so Salyer will need to avoid falling into that trap as a senior.

4/26/22: Fortner was a starter at guard before moving to center as a senior. He was a solid and reliable blocker for the Wildcats. As a pro, Fortner could be start out as a swing backup on the inside of the line with the potential to grow into a starting role at center. Fortner was solid at both the Senior Bowl and the combine.

4/26/22: Hayes started at left guard for Oklahoma and was decent. He could be a mid-rounder who develops into having a role. Some team sources said they were impressed with Hayes at the Senior Bowl.

7/3/21: Hayes broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2019 and has started 24 straight contests at left guard. At the point of attack, Hayes is a big, thick, and strong to generate a push in the ground game. He also shows quality athleticism and quickness to pass protect. Hayes could be a riser as a senior playing on a loaded offense and with a top quarterback prospect.

4/26/22: Hines was solid in 2021, showing strength as a run blocker and the skill set to protect the quarterback. Hines could stand to continue to improve his technique as a pass protector, and that was evident against Alabama, but the ability is there for Hines to be a very good NFL guard. Team sources say Hines’ lack of length hurts his grade, which is why he is down in the mid-rounds. Some, however, feel he could be a sleeper steal.

7/3/21: Hines is a heavy interior blocker who is a large load at the point of attack. He was a bright spot alongside Ed Ingram during the 2020 season, impressing some team evaluators. For the NFL, Hines could have plug-and-play starting potential. Some sources believe Hines could have had second-day potential if he had entered the 2021 NFL Draft. If he builds on his 2020 performance, he could be a riser and one of the top guard prospects.

4/26/22: Shaffer was a big run-blocking guard for Georgia in the 2021 season. After serving as a backup for three seasons, Shaffer became a starter in 2020 and provided solid play at left guard. Shaffer could be a mid-round pick who develops into being a potential starter.

4/26/22: Wisconsin played Bruss at right tackle, but he could be a better fit at guard in the NFL given his short arms. Bruss was solid, but unimpressive, in 2021.

7/3/21: Bruss has logged a lot of time at right tackle for the Badgers, but the NFL advance scouts have him projected to playing guard in the NFL. Moving to the inside would help Bruss in pass protection. With his size and strength, he can be a tough interior run blocker and dependable pass protector.

4/26/22: Munford voluntarily moved inside to guard for 2021 to help Ohio State get its best five linemen on the field together. It may have been a wise move for his draft stock, as Munford looked better at guard in 2021 than he did at tackle in 2020. He is a solid blocker, but he is not overly special and does not have a dominant trait.

7/3/21: Munford had a solid 2020 season for Ohio State. He is a decent college player, but is not especially dominant and does not always play up to his skill set. Munford took advantage of the extra year of eligbility due to the pandemic to return to the Buckeyes.

Munford was a candidate to be a potential early-round pick who left school early for the 2020 NFL Draft, but in 2019, he was not that impressive and did not stand out by showing the skill set to be a franchise left tackle. NFL sources felt Munford did not make the case that he should skip his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, so he was wise to return to Columbus.

Munford needs to improve his technique and become more polished to take on pro edge rushers. He had an ugly outing versus Wisconsin in 2019 and could be better off moving inside to guard at the next level.

Munford was a rotational backup as a freshman before breaking into the starting lineup at left tackle in 2018. The sophomore had some issues during his first year as a starter, and those might cause him to move inside to guard for the NFL. Munford also played with a hip injury as a sophomore, and he missed the game against Maryland with a leg injury. He then missed the Rose Bowl with another injury.

4/26/22: Robinson started at right tackle for the Sooners in 2021 after playing right guard for the previous two seasons. For the NFL, Robinson should move back to guard because he lacks the length for tackle at the pro level.

7/3/21: Robinson was the Sooners’ starting right guard in 2019 and 2020. He is a tough run blocker at the point of attack with strength and size. Robinson could stand to drop some weight, but he has been an asset in pass protection. While he lacks ideal size, he might develop into a starter in the NFL.

4/26/22: Burford was a standout for UTSA over the past three seasons, playing well enough to get included in the Senior Bowl. At UTSA, Burford displayed his versatility by starting at left tackle, right tackle, and guard. His best fit in the NFL might come inside at guard. He could have the possibility to serve as a valuable game-day backup with his ability to provide depth at tackle and guard.

4/26/22: Parham played right tackle and right guard for the Tigers over his solid career. The senior displayed impressive quickness, athleticism and reliable blocking in 2021. Given how undersized Parham is, moving to center could be his best option for the NFL. If Parham were to stay at guard, he would have to get stronger and add weight to his frame.

4/26/22: Smith was a solid starter at guard for the Hokies during his college career. He has a strong frame with the bulk to be a tough blocker in the ground game. Improving his pass protection and ability to handle speed rushers could lead to him carving out a career in the NFL.

4/26/22: After redshirting a season, Strange broke into the starting lineup at guard and locked down the position for the next four years. His steady and productive play earned him a Senior Bowl invitation. Strange did not stand out in Mobile. For the NFL, Strange could stand to fill out his frame with more strength, but he has good height and length.

4/26/22: Newman-Johnson started at left guard for Baylor. He was a good college player, but he has limitations for the NFL that could make him more of a backup candidate. Multiple team sources say they are projecting Neman-Johnson to Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft – at the highest.

7/3/21: Newman-Johnson is a really good blocker who has strength and athleticism, but his lack of length hurts him and pushes him down. Newman-Johnson saw his first starting action as a sophomore at left guard. In his junior year, he started at right guard, and in 2020, he moved back to left guard mostly but also played some center. Newman-Johnson took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to return to the Bears.

4/26/22: Frost was a solid right tackle for Nevada, but for the next level, he could be a better fit at guard.

7/3/21: Frost has played well at guard and tackle for Nevada. He has enough size and quickness to compete on the edge, but moving inside to guard could be his best fit in the NFL.

4/26/22: Rivas had a solid 2021 season for Kansas State at left guard.

7/3/21: Rivas was a rotational player for the Wildcats in 2018 and 2019, but was impressive as a full-time starter at left guard during his junior year. He was a well-balanced contributor in both phases. Rivas is a sleeper who could rise and improve his grade if he can build on his 2020 performance.

4/26/22: Brown started at right guard for Ole Miss. He played well against the majority of opponents, although he had some issues with Alabama. Brown could be a third-day selection who starts out as a backup before developing into a role in the NFL.

7/3/21: Brown enters his senior year having made 32 consecutive starts for the Rebels. During his sophomore and freshman seasons, Brown started at right guard, but the Rebels moved him to the middle for his junior year. Brown has good size and could be a valuable guard/center backup to start out his NFL career.

4/26/22: Kerstetter was solid, but unimpressive, for Texas in 2021. Versus Oklahoma, Kerstetter gave up a sack to Perrion Winfrey and had problems with the Sooners’ speed. Kerstetter would be a better fit on the inside in the NFL.

7/3/21: Kerstetter was solid, but unimpressive, for Texas in 2020. For the next level, he could offer versatility as a game-day backup who can be cross-trained at a few positions. He has played all over the offensive line for the Longhorns. On NFL team’s preseason watch list, they have him as a tackle but given his size he could easily end playing more on the inside. He could stand to get stronger for the next level.

4/26/22: McKethan was solid for the Tar Heels, starting at right guard. He should improve his conditioning for the next level.

7/3/21: McKethan was the Tar Heels starter at right guard the past two seasons, and North Carolin had a lot of success running behind him. He did an excellent job of opening holes for Javonte Williams and Michael Carter in 2020. McKethan needs to improve his pass protection as a senior.

4/26/22: McKenzie rotated along the line for the Trojans. He could be more of a swing backup at guard and right tackle in the NFL.

7/3/21: McKenzie has been a solid blocker for the Trojans. He might be better off moving inside to guard in the NFL. McKenzie has played right guard and right tackle for the Trojans. He has good size to him with some upside to improve.

4/26/22: Paul played guard and some tackle for Tulsa, but for the NFL, he should compete at guard. He has late-round backup potential.

7/3/21: Paul saw starts at right guard and left guard over the past two seasons. He has quality size to him with strength in the ground game. It would help him to show well in pass protection as a senior and impress at an all-star game.

4/26/22: Stueber started at center for the Wolverines, and he spent 2021 playing right tackle. Moving to the inside looks like his best fit for the NFL. He probably will have to play guard at the next level.

7/3/21: Stubbier played guard and right tackle for Michigan in 2020. He missed the 2019 season with injury and only started two games at right tackle in 2018. As a sophomore, he played mostly as a backup. Stueber could be better in 2021 after getting some experience in 2020.

4/26/22: Wattenberg started at center in 2021, and that looks like his best spot for the NFL. He was underwhelming against Michigan.

7/3/21: Wattenberg was the Huskies’ starter at left guard in 2018 and 2019 before moving to center for four games in 2020. For the NFL, Wattenberg is projected to be a guard. While he has quality technique, Wattenberg needs to get stronger for the pro level.

4/26/22: Owens is more of a backup player for the NFL and has limitations.

7/3/21: Owens played guard and center for Alabama in 2020, showing the versatility to help at a variety of spots. He replaced Landon Dickerson for the conclusion of the season after Dickerson was injured against Florida in the SEC Championship, and Owens played well in the college football playoff. In 2021, Owens could take over as the full-time center for the Crimson Tide.

4/26/22: Mays played right tackle for Tennessee, but in the NFL, his best fit might come at guard. He lacks the quickness and athleticism to block on the edge in the pros.

7/3/21: Mays played well in the first few games of 2020 before really struggling against Georgia. He was at right tackle for the Volunteers, but he looks like a guard for the next level, and that is how he is listed on NFL teams’ preseason watch list.

Mays was a decent starter on Georgia’s all-star offensive line in 2019 and could have been the replacement for Andrew Thomas at left tackle for 2020, but Mays decided to transfer to Tennessee. After being a top recruit, Mays started seven games as a freshman in 2018 for the Bulldogs while also dealing with injuries. With his versatile size, Mays could fit at guard or tackle, and it will be interesting to see where he settles in at Tennessee. Mays is a strong run blocker with good size to create a push at the point of attack.